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Is God Pleased? #640

08/14/2020 04:50:00 PM

Aug14

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Re'eh: "Do what is good and upright in the eyes of God.”   Is God Pleased?

 

The other day, while working on a book capturing the words of my late mentor, Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz, I came across a quote, which I’ve been thinking about all week.

“No matter how hard you pray or all the promises you make to God, if you aren’t liked by other people, then God is not impressed,” Rabbi Joe told me...Read more...

Strawberries in Decemer? #639

08/07/2020 04:45:00 PM

Aug7

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Eikev: "And you shall eat, be satisfied and bless.”
(Deuteronomy 8:10)   Strawberries in December?

 

As a child growing up in Montreal, once a year, I would visit one of the most incredible and mysterious stores with my mother — Dionne’s Supermarket.

It was located at the west end of St. Catherine Street about two blocks from the famed Montreal Forum.

One day, in December 1961, my...Read more...

The Torah and Quarantine 15 #638

07/31/2020 11:45:00 PM

Jul31

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Va'ethanan: "Take utmost care of yourself..." (Deuteronomy 4:9)

The Torah and Quarantine 15

 

There is a phrase associated with the deadly Covid-19, which has been making its way within medical and nutritional circles.

It’s known as Quarantine 15 — and it refers to the fact that so many Americans have gained weight during the...Read more...

The Lost HOliday of Sadness #637

07/24/2020 06:30:00 PM

Jul24

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

The Lost Holiday of Sadness

 

There is a story told about Napoleon Bonaparte, who — one summer evening more than 2,000 years ago — took a walk through the streets of Paris.

As his entourage passed a synagogue, he heard the voices of the Jews inside crying and weeping. He sent an aid inside to find out what was going on.

A few minutes later, the aid returned with an explanation: The Jews were mourning...Read more...

A Virtual Rosh Hashanah? #636

07/17/2020 06:00:00 PM

Jul17

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

A Virtual Rosh Hashanah?

 

There is a Midrash — a rabbinical legend — about the day God learned a lesson from Moses.

Moses approaches God and asks for clarification of a line in the Torah, which reads: “God punishes the children…for the sin of their parents to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)

On the surface, the sentence makes some sense.

Indeed, many people...Read more...

Turning Darkness to Light #635

07/10/2020 04:46:00 PM

Jul10

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Turning Darkness to Light

 

It’s been almost eight years since Hurricane Sandy blew its way through the New York area, most notably for us perhaps, across Oak Lane, in our small city of Glen Cove.

Patte and I still talk about that time, where huddled in front of a transistor radio, we listened to weather reports as a blanket of rain descended from the heavens.

In retrospect, we did lots of things...Read more...

The Talking Donkey and the Non-Jewish Priest #634

07/03/2020 04:42:00 PM

Jul3

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

The Talking Donkey and the Non-Jewish Priest

 

Earlier in my career, I became friends with someone who built houses for a living.

Like most developers, he began by constructing one house at a time, until one day, an opportunity presented itself — to build a series of seven townhouses tightly positioned around a crescent.

“I know this is a ridiculous question,” he asked, “but is there a Jewish way to...Read more...

Ego vs. Humility #633

06/26/2020 05:14:00 PM

Jun26

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Korach vs. Moses – Ego vs. Humility 

 

In the small town of Peshischa, Poland, Rabbi Simcha Bunim (1765-1827), struggled with two, opposing philosophies:

“Is each one of us the center of the universe — or are we merely dust in the wind?”

As Rabbi...Read more...

Israel, Freedom and Choice #632

06/19/2020 05:37:00 PM

Jun19

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Israel, Freedom and Choice

 

About five years ago, during a trip to Israel, I ran into trouble with my laptop. I panicked: “OMG,” I thought, “I’ve lost all my files.”

A friend remembered that at the nearby Dizengoff Mall, there was a guy who repaired computers.

So — laptop tucked under my arm — I walked over to the mall, past the street performers, the cafés and the Israelis rushing to and...Read more...

Extra E-SErmon: God Expands the Torah

06/13/2020 01:00:00 PM

Jun13

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Every few months, Rabbi Irwin is asked to write a D'var Torah — words of Torah — for the Academy for Jewish Religion — the seminary he graduated from. We are sharing it with you this week, as we conclude our discussion of the Torah portion titled Beha'alotekha — (when you light the lamps).

Is it true that God can change the Torah when asked to do so?

God Expands the Torah by Rabbi Irwin...Read more...
Sun, November 24 2024 23 Cheshvan 5785