Judaism

,

Episode 64: Hineni (Here I Am) - Minutes of Torah: Yitro

,
IMG_5480.JPG

Yitro Episode 64: This week we read the Torah portion Yitro and we finally receive the Torah. In the Talmud Shabbat 88A, One Rabbi says that the Jewish people stood beneath the mountain and God overturned the mountain above the Jews like a tub and God said to them:
If you accept the Torah, excellent, and if not, there will be your burial. Sounds like coercion. Is it? Check out this episode .

,

Episode 62: Hineni (Here I Am): My Authentic Identity

,

On November 1, 2018 I gave a talk on Authentic Identities at Elon University, where I serve as the Campus Rabbi. The talk was shortly after the horrible events in Kentucky and Pittsburgh. I shared my story and journey of becoming a Jew and a rabbi. I talked about the racism I face in the Jewish community, antisemitism and our current political rhetoric. I hope you enjoy this special episode. 

Screen Shot 2018-11-21 at 4.04.38 PM.jpg

On November 1, 2018 I gave a talk on Authentic Identities at Elon University, where I serve as the Campus Rabbi. The talk was shortly after the horrible events in Kentucky and Pittsburgh. I shared my story and journey of becoming a Jew and a rabbi.

,

Episode 59: Jewish Prayer - Asher Yatzer - Thank you God for Making Me Exactly Who I Am

,

Welcome to Episode 59 of Hineni Jewish Prayer. Today we will focus on the prayer that is often called the bathroom blessing. Thanking God for allowing one to do their business in the morning. I don't see this blessing as simple a bathroom blessing. I see it as a blessing thanking God for creating me exactly who I am.

IMG_5020 2.JPG

Welcome to Episode 59 of Hineni Jewish Prayer. Today we will focus on the prayer that is often called the bathroom blessing. Thanking God for allowing one to do their business in the morning. I don't see this blessing as simple a bathroom blessing.

,

Episode 57: Minutes of Torah - Vayeira: Faith and Justice

,

This week we are in the Torah Portion Vayeira. My plan for today was to continue our conversation on faith but something jumped out at me as I was reading this week’s torah portion. So today we will talk about faith and Justice.

This week we are in the Torah Portion Vayeira. My plan for today was to continue our conversation on faith but something jumped out at me as I was reading this week's torah portion. So today we will talk about faith and Justice.

,

Episode 55: Minutes of Torah - Noah and Faith

,

I love it when my Jewish anniversary falls on the Torah Portion Noah. In 2004 I converted on the October 13th and the Torah Portion for that week was Noach. So there is a special place in my heart for this week’s Torah portion.

This week we enter into the Torah Portion Noach where God tells Noah to build an enormous Ark. God instructs Noah to build this Ark because God is going to destroy the world with a massive flood. Now keep in mind that Noah probably lives nowhere near water and I'm sure he thought "This is a Crazy idea!"




,

Episode 54: Minutes of Torah - Bereishit: Created in the Image of God

,
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

We learn that Human beings are created B’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. What a concept and probably the most important idea in the Torah we are all created in the image of God. To be created in God’s image is not just about the Awesomeness power of God it is also a statement of responsibility about the way we are to treat others. Do we see God in others? Do we recognize that all people are created in the image of God?

This week's torah portion is all about creation; creation of the world and all things that dwell on the earth. We learn that Human beings are created B'tzelem Elohim, in the image of God.