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the Torah and Social Distancing  #624

04/24/2020 02:50:00 PM

Apr24

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

The Torah and Social Distancing

Each year, I dread this week's Torah portion.

After all, who wants to talk about rashes, skin diseases, bodily purification and leprosy? Rather, we prefer the Torah to stimulate us with ancient stories and bits of wisdom to apply to our daily lives.

But this year, probably more than any in our lifetime, this week's double Torah portion — titled Tazria-Metzora — comes alive, as...Read more...

the Virus and the Kosher Antidote  #623

04/17/2020 05:36:00 PM

Apr17

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

The Virus and the Kosher Antidote

Is it just me, or does it seem that we are all gaining weight during this time of isolation?

We were supposed to cook healthier, eat lighter and shed a few pounds now that we are confined to our homes.

And to some extent, that has been the case. So why is it, at least for me, that the opposite seem to be true?

So how interesting it is, that this week's Torah portion, Sh'mini,...Read more...

Did God Invent the Internet?  #622

04/10/2020 05:05:00 PM

Apr10

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

  DAYENU ("It would have been enough")   If God had given us doctors and nurses, it would have been enough - dayenu!   If God had given us doctors and nurses, but not given us amazing teachers - dayenu!   If God had given us amazing teachers, but not given us the Internet - dayenu!   If God had given us the Internet, but not given...Read more...

The Crumbs in our Soul  #621

04/03/2020 05:25:00 PM

Apr3

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

The Crumbs in our Soul

This will be a Passover like no other.

In a world so consumed by the coronavirus, how can we find within Passover the meaning and comfort we so desperately need?

Like everything these days, our world has been turned upside down.

We are concerned about our health, and the health of others.

Rather than planning who will be sitting next to each other — or not — at...Read more...

The Virus -- Who Are Our Heroes?  #620

03/27/2020 04:00:00 PM

Mar27

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

The Virus: Who Are Our Heroes?

A colleague earlier this week forwarded an amazing teaching by anthropologist Margaret Mead who at one point was asked what she considered to be the first sign of civilization within a culture.

Was it the development of fish hooks, clay pots or grinding stones?

"No," Mead replied. She declared that the first sign of civilization occurred when someone had broken their femur...Read more...

"Tosh Hashanah" Comes Early This Year  #619

03/20/2020 05:45:00 PM

Mar20

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

"Rosh Hashanah" Comes Early this Year

Each year, perhaps a week before the coming of Rosh Hashanah, I seclude myself, and before putting fingers to the keyboard ask myself:

"What words can I share to inspire people to take stock of their lives, to embrace what is precious, and to let go of that which weighs them down?"

Sometimes, once shared, these words touch a chord. Other times, while they are usually based in good...Read more...

The Virus -- Halves Makes Us Whole #618

03/13/2020 05:00:00 PM

Mar13

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Parashat Ki Tissa

"A captive cannot release himself from prison.
He needs help from someone else."
(Talmud)

The Virus: Halves Make Us Whole About three years ago, a mysterious envelope, with no return address, arrived on my desk.   While it is not unusual for rabbis to receive random tracts and messages from enthusiasts of other religions, this envelope and...Read more...

Those WE Leave Behind #617

03/06/2020 04:00:00 PM

Mar6

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

Shabbat Zachor: The Sabbath of Remembrance
"Remember what Amalek did to you  on your journey...Do not forget!" 
(Deuteronomy 25:17,19)

Remembering Those We Leave Behind

The Jewish people have become very good at remembering.

We remember the Holocaust, and remain forever vigilant against signs of renewed anti-Semitism. During Passover, we remember our liberation from...Read more...

How Tzedakah Heals The World #616

02/28/2020 05:00:00 PM

Feb28

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

How Tzedakah Heals the World

It was an unusually cold night — even for Edmonton, Canada — when, just after dinner, we heard a knock at our front door.

I squeezed the door handle to find a middle-aged couple standing on our welcome mat, with a series of packets and brochures in their arms.

“We represent the Diabetes Association,” the woman said as a white fog exited her lips. “Could you please support us with a...Read more...

WE Were All Strangers #615

02/21/2020 05:00:00 PM

Feb21

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

We Were All Strangers

A rabbi told me this story when I was a child:

Two men, a pauper and a store owner, were walking toward each other one morning on the main street of a small town.

“Shalom Aleichem,” Shmuel, the pauper, said as he greeted Lazer.

“Aleichem Shalom,” the store owner, Lazer, responded.

“I'm wondering whether you could help me out with a few rubles so I can eat today,” the pauper...Read more...

Sat, November 8 2025 17 Cheshvan 5786