Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

Wrestling with Ourselves is the Result of Our Conscience Growing
“Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.” (Genesis 32:25)
After two decades apart Jacob still concerns himself with the stolen birthright.  We struggle with singular acts in our lives.  We replay decisions over and over again.  We are determined never to act that way again and resolve to do better in the future.  That is what it means to have a conscience. That is a good thing, not something to beat ourselves up over.  It is something to recognize and build upon.  We all make mistakes.  If we are wrestling with ourselves, we have a conscience.

Unfortunately, our “In The Beginning” learning is postponed until next month. 

On Saturday evening November 20, 2021 at 7:30pm I will be teaching at the Westchester Night of Jewish Learning. My class will be “Modern Jewish Prayers.” There are many extraordinary Israeli musicians producing music that speaks to our hopes and dreams.  Join me as I share them through videos and lyrics.
click here for link

To register for the event and see all of the offerings please  click here.

 

Message from the Rabbi

1. Harbouring a grudge does more damage to ourselves than to others and the longer we hold on to it the more damage is done.  
2. Sometimes we say things in a moment of anger that we really don’t mean.  Those words leave an indelible, hateful scar.  

Message from the Rabbi

Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?
“Sarah lied, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was frightened. But He replied, “You did laugh.”” (Genesis 8:15)

Honesty is the best policy… except if telling the truth only serves to hurt someone else. Protecting the feelings of loved ones should always be weighed against telling the truth. 
The challenge is making sure we are protecting our loved ones and not protecting ourselves. Sometimes we lie because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings when, in fact, we are saving ourselves from having to answer for our own actions.  That challenge is what lies (pun intended) at the heart of the matter. 
 
Please join me on Wednesday night for “Genesis: An Adult Reading” on zoom click here 

Message from the Rabbi

“He drank the wine and became drunk.”  (Genesis 9:21)

In this story Noah emerges from the ark, plants a vineyard, harvests the grapes, makes wine and gets drunk. I'm not sure he had that plan in mind from the beginning or if  life just became overwhelming. All of humanity has been wiped out and he must start over with just his immediate family. Seems, maybe a drink might be in order.  Yet it is a cautionary tale because his drunkenness leads to embarrassing himself. 

We are emerging from a pandemic that has seen the death of millions of people.  During quarantine we may have picked up some bad habits. Now is the time to step back and see if we can realign our healthy behavior patterns.  For some, quarantine has uncovered dangerous substance abuse problems.  Now is the time to seek help.  

If you are in need of help, please simply hit reply to this email and I am ready to get you the assistance you need.  I am here for you.
 

Message from the Rabbi

אַתָּה נוֹתֵן יָד לַפּוֹשְׁעִים, וִימִינְךָ פְשׁוּטָה לְקַבֵּל שָׁבִים
"You extend Your hand to those who sin." Lev Shalem
"You let sinners sin, but Your right hand is extended to penitents" Reuven Kimmelman

In the final hours of Yom Kippur in the service known as Neilah we say the above words. Here I have offered to different translations each with their own agenda.  The message is similar. God welcomes us back.  

In the final hours of Yom Kippur we are tired and hungry and we our at our most vulnerable.  In this moment we need to feel as though we will find a way to return.  God is reaching out to you, just take God hand's and we can all walk together into a better year. 
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I wish you an easy fast filled with insight and new found energy.  I pray this year grants you your most meanignful wishes and that you and your family find health and joy. 

Message from the Rabbi

Start with What You Do Know
“Concealed acts concern the LORD our God; but with overt acts, it is for us and our children ever to apply all the provisions of this Teaching.” (Deuteronomy 29:28)

There is so much we don’t understand about the universe.  There is so much we still don’t understand about how people work.  There is so much we don’t understand about why we behave in certain ways at certain times.  "Why?" "How?" Can plague us at times. They can shake us. They can paralyze us. We ask for a sign, we beg for an answer and yet sometimes they never come.

Through it all, keep going.  When evil confronts us, be kind.  When inexplicable pain befalls those whom we love, hold them closer.  When fear overwhelms us, stare into the dark and reach out for someone. 

What we don’t know far outweighs what we do know.  No doubt.  However, what we do know is where we all begin.  Love exists.  Kindness abounds. And we are in this together.  

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Message from the Rabbi

Change of Plans

“If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and both the loved and the unloved have borne him sons, but the first-born is the son of the unloved one…“ (Deuteronomy 21:15)

Insert joke here about one wife being plenty.  All joking aside, the pain of living in a loveless marriage or in a home filled with conflict and tension can be unbearable. It is the reason why Judaism has always permitted the dissolution of a marriage. 

Our tradition understands that sometimes people who were once in love with each other can no longer live with each other. 

The lesson extends beyond the boundaries of marriage to life in general. Through our daily liturgy we grow to understand that we can always change our direction. We all have choices and we can change.  It is the work we do now in preparation for the high holidays that we begin to pave a new path.

Message from the Rabbi

God Can Hear You From Anywhere
Parashat Re’eh

"But whenever you desire, you may slaughter and eat meat in any of your settlements, according to the blessing that the LORD your God has granted you. The unclean and the clean alike may partake of it, as of the gazelle and the deer." (Deuteronomy 12:15)
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Some family members stand on ceremony and will only visit when they are invited.  Some visit whenever they want.  Some call first. Family shouldn’t have these pretenses. 

When loved ones want to see each other they should figure how to make it happen.  Waiting for an invitation seems not to be the best approach.  

​​​​​​​Here at GHC you never need an invitation.  Now that we have relaxed some of our COVID protocols, you can just show up and we will be happy to see you. If you aren’t comfortable yet, don’t worry God can hear you from anywhere.

Message from the Rabbi

“Hear of Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is one.”

This may be the single most important statement for a Jew.  Next week we will welcome two new Jews to our beloved religion.  At the end of the ceremony, they will declare their faith and recite these words.  From that moment, they will be linked with our people irrevocably.  Through these words, they will announce their commitment not just to our God but to our people.  

As Rabbi Akiva was being burned at the stake, he recited these words. Jewish soldiers whether in the American services or Israel have recited them upon going into battle.  Countless generations of children have recited these words before they go to bed.  We say them morning and evening, when we take out the Torah and they are embedded within the musaf Kedusha.

As much as these words tie us to God they bind us to each other.  As Rabbi Eli Garfinkel writes, “the Shema is both concise and deep.”

Please join us this week as we celebrate the naming of Andy and Sharon Weiss' granddaughter and kiddush for the first time since the beginning of COVID

Message from the Rabbi

Promises Made, Promises Kept
“If a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath imposing an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips.” (Number 30:3)
We make deals with God all of the time.  Whether it is the child about to receive their test results or the adult facing illness, we all make promises.  Coming out of this pandemic is the moment when we decide which of the alterations we have made to our lives are going to stay or which we will abandon.  How many, hoping to see family and friends again made promises to value others in our lives more, will actually remember to do so?  How many, longing for community will recommit to the real work of community building?

Message from the Rabbi

Choose to See Life's Blessings
מְבָרְכֶ֣יךָ בָר֔וּךְ וְאֹרְרֶ֖יךָ אָרֽוּר׃
"Blessed are they who bless you, Accursed they who curse you!" (Numbers 24:9)

Raffaello Pantucci has summed up the Arab/Israeli conflict in the title of his book, “We Love Death As You Love Life”.  In it he has has written a sober, detailed, and invaluable assessment of Islamist radicalisation in the United Kingdom.

There are always going to be people in life who seek out the worst and those who seek out the best. Those who want death and destruction will try to impose their will on others.  The task of the good is to hold steadfast to the blessings of life. 
In the face of negativity, we must rise to the positive. Challenged by the harsh forces of this world we must respond with care. 

SHABBAT at GHC

• Join the Cantor and me for Friday night services at the Dobbs Ferry Waterfront. 6:30pm
• Sermon: “Seeing Things: Why We Believe the Absurd”
• FinishStrong: Let’s Talk Israel
  

Message from the Rabbi

It Just Takes a Few
“Now Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben—to rise up against Moses, together with two hundred and fifty Israelites, chieftains of the community, chosen in the assembly, men of repute.” (Numbers 16:1-2)
Every rebellion and coup begins somewhere and with someone and appeals to people of good reputations.  In order to validate their mission outsiders will often tap insiders to add value and broader reach to their goal.  The anatomy of insurrection is on full display today throughout the world. 
The message is simple.  Be careful with whom you associate.  Be ready to call them out when they have crossed the line from valid opposition to violence. Be ready to change course even if you have already gone down the road with them.     

​​​​​​​GHC CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2025 KICKOFF Sunday, Jun 27th 7:30pm

Message from the Rabbi

Summon Your Best Self
"And Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ attendant from his youth, spoke up and said, “My lord Moses, restrain them!” But Moses said to him, “Are you wrought up on my account? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD put His spirit upon them!” Moses then reentered the camp together with the elders of Israel." (Numbers 11:28-30)

In this moment, Joshua, the future leader of the Jewish people gets a lesson in leadership. Fearful that Eldad and Medad are trying to usurp Moses’ authority, Moses responds, "don’t take everything personally" or better, "don’t get so defensive." 

When we are at our best, when we feel most confident we are able to see others more clearly.  When we are run down and insecure we see attacks where there aren’t any. 

The difficulty when we are tired or feeling vulnerable is summoning our highest self. In those moments it helps to take a breath before responding. 


Come Back this Shabbos all you need to bring is this form. No need to sign up in advance.  FinishStrong (our post service provocative conversation) is also back and better than ever. 

COVID Health Questionnaire

• Fever  
• Chills yes or 
• Sweats 
• Measured temperature of 100.4 F or greater 
• Malaise/Fatigue 
• Loss of sense of smell 
• Loss of sense of taste 
• Cough 
• Chest Pain
• Shortness of Breath 
• Sore Throat 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea

Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days? 

Have you traveled internationally in the past 14 days? 

Have you traveled by air, car or train, to and from any states other than New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania in the past 14 days?

• If no, then you can come into GHC
• If yes, are you fully vaccinated (that is, are you two weeks past your last vaccination date)? 
• If yes, then you can come to GHC
• If no, then you cannot come to GHC

Do you have anyone staying with you who is visiting from a state other than New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, or Pennsylvania in the past 14 days? 

• If no, then you can come into GHC
• If yes, are they fully vaccinated (that is, are they two weeks past their last vaccination date)? 
• If yes, then you can come to GHC
• If no, then you cannot come to GHC

If you answered yes to any of these questions, please call your primary care provider.
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Message from the Rabbi

Don’t Look Behind the Curtain
“But let not [the Kohathites] go inside and witness the dismantling of the sanctuary, lest they die. (Numbers 4:20)
I have often joked that if you want to remain a spiritual Jew, don’t join the board.  The reason is because part of synagogue life is a business.  Security must be maintained, garbage must be picked up and bills have to be paid.  All of this requires mundane activities that can easily turn a person off.  That is why another cliche is, if you are enjoying the dinner party don’t go into the kitchen.  Sometimes keeping a distance allows us to keep the mythical side of ecstatic experience alive.  
The lion, the scarecrow and the tin man all had what they needed already inside.  They didn’t need to look behind the curtain to confirm it. 
Spiritual living requires a certain leap of faith and sometimes that jump is easier if you don’t look down.

Shavuot
Please join us for our Evening of Learning - Tikkun Layl Shavuot. Our theme is “Community.”
If you would like to share some ideas, please let me know. I’d be happy to help give you some perspective. It will take place both in person and via zoom 
If you would like to present, please let me know by Wednesday.
Topic: Tikkun Layl Shavuot
Time: Sunday evening, May 16, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98721597385?pwd=N2d6cDN0SWYrQW5nWklzSDZSalg0dz09
Meeting ID: 987 2159 7385
Passcode: 415552
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,98721597385# US (New York)

Regular Shavuot services including Yizkor will take place live and via livestream Monday, May 17, 2021 at 9:30 am. 

Message from the Rabbi

Make Today Count
"And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of elevation offering—the day after the sabbath—you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete: You must count until the day after the seventh week—fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the LORD." (Leviticus 23:15-16)

Some get caught up on the idea that you must finish what you begin.  I say, just make everyday count. These two verses from Leviticus point to the fact that the period between Passover and Sahvuot must be seven complete weeks. We are supposed to count every day (counting of the omer) trying to never to miss a day.  

Rather than focussing on, “They must be complete”  I choose to focus on, “you must count.” Keep trying.  If you are unsuccessful today, maybe tomorrow will bring great achievement. 

This week’s sermon is titled “Be Scrupulous” if you would like to see the text click here.

Please join us for our Evening of Learning - Tikkun Layl Shavuot. Our theme is “Community.”
If you would like to share some ideas, please let me know. I’d be happy to help give you some perspective. It will take place both in person and via zoom on Sunday evening, May 16, 2021 at 8:00pm for zoom link  click here

Regular Shavuot services including Yizkor will take place live and via livestream Monday, May 17, 2021 at 9:30 am.