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Inner Quiet But when Moses told this to the Israelites, they would not listen to Moses, their spirits crushed by cruel bondage. (Exodus 6:9) I have heard of wives speaking to their husbands while they are watching football and for whatever reason, the husband seems to be listening yet they are unable to even repeat back what the wife just told him. I have heard, as well, that can be extremely frustrating for the wife. Sometimes the husband can actually repeat back the words, however, he still has no idea what she is talking about. I hear that is also upsetting to the wife. Life can be distracting especially when we are suffering. You can have a thousand complaints about your life until you have a real health issue, then you only have one. There are circumstances in our lives in which the entire world goes silent and we can only hear the inner voice of pain. In those moments we need to find an internal quiet so that we can return to the world.
Mark Your Calendars all at 8:00 on zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95417257214?pwd=NjFENloxOEpGSGhrc1M5dWQ4SG9UQT09 January 30 Religion and Politics Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, it is time to have a serious conversation about the role of religion in politics. Our country has steadfastly stood behind the principle of seperation of church and state. But have we? Let's have a serious discussion about the role of religion in shaping society. February 13 Not all Uncomfortable Conversations Have to Be Difficult We all have to visit someone who is ill, elderly or make a shiva call. In this workshop, I will teach you about how to do that. What is the best way to start? How do you move on from just talking about the weather? And how to end the conversation. No doubt this workshop will deepen every conversation and I look forward to sharing my 30+ years experience in this area. March 20 Whine and Wine We like to brainstorm ideas about how to survive life. Or just complain. In the past we have talked about raising kids or dealing with aging parents or both at the same time. Well, holidays present their own unique set of challenges, especially Passover. Let's get it all out and talk or just kvetch.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם הטוב והמטיב Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam, hatov vehametiv. Praised are You, Sovereign of the Universe, the Good and the Doer of good.
Upon hearing good news one of the Jewish responses is to offer a blessing. Today we heard great news. The hostages are coming home. Or at least we hope. At this moment people the world over are holding their breath, trying to believe against all odds that this 15 month nightmare may be coming to a close. Maybe the hostages will be returned to their families and this tragedy will finally begin to transform into healing. As the national anthem of the Jewish people declares, עוד לא אבדה תקוותינו our hope will never be destroyed. Yet we worry. Yet we are still sad. Yet we are still angry. Yet we are still frustrated. In this moment we feel so many different things at once. We must hold it all. As I mentioned on Yom Kippur, this has been a year of waiting to exhale. With each passing day we have had to force ourselves to breathe. It seems as though the time has come to let the breath out. It is possible that this might fall apart. It certainly has in the past. However, I cannot give air to that pessimism. Now is the time to breathe out the hatred and blame. As each hostage is returned, may that bring some relief and a commitment to helping them and their families recover. This is not the end. This is a beginning. The first response to this glorious announcement is to offer a blessing. The next response must be to do everything in our power to act as God’s partner in healing the broken hearted.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Fight or Flight "But the more they were oppressed, the more they increased and spread out, so that the [Egyptians] came to dread the Israelites." (Exodus 1:12)
How we respond to any given circumstance is a choice we make. In the case of being attacked, we instinctively respond with fight or flight. Still a choice. Whether it is someone being mean to us or someone showing us love, we have a choice as to how to respond. Some of us understand why we react the way we do and some of us are still learning. That said, how we counter that initial interaction will cause a reply. That is their choice. All we can do is be responsible for ourselves. How they respond is a reflection on themselves. At the end of the day we can only be accountable for our own actions.
This week’s discussion is “Who Do You Think You Are?” can be found at this link
Mark Your Calendars all sessions on Thursdays at 8:00pm on Zoom January 30 Religion and Politics Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, it is time to have a serious conversation about the role of religion in politics. Our country has steadfastly stood behind the principle of seperation of church and state. But have we? Let's have a serious discussion about the role of religion in shaping society.
February 13 Not all Uncomfortable Conversations Have to Be Difficult We all have to visit someone who is ill, elderly or make a shiva call. In this workshop, I will teach you about how to do that. What is the best way to start? How do you move on from just talking about the weather? And how to end the conversation. No doubt this workshop will deepen every conversation and I look forward to sharing my 30+ years experience in this area.
March 20 Whine and Wine We like to brainstorm ideas about how to survive life. Or just complain. In the past we have talked about raising kids or dealing with aging parents or both at the same time. Well, holidays present their own unique set of challenges, especially Passover. Let's get it all out and talk or just kvetch.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"After two years’ time, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile" (Genesis 41:1) This verse informs us that it was two years after Joseph had interpreted dreams for his cellmates and asked that they tell Pharoah about his skills. I imagine Joseph had given up on ever being saved from the dungeons. As I write this message, the hostages have been held for 444 days and it is easy to give up hope of them ever coming home. It is easy to imagine that of the 100 hostages few can possibly be alive. In the Talmud the rabbis speak of יאוש - desperation. For the rabbis, they are speaking of lost items and when you give up hope of ever finding it. We must never give up hope of bringing these poor desperate people home. We all do the calculations of what is reasonable to expect in this week’s news of Hmaas and Israel coming close to a deal. Some may believe we are no closer than we have ever been. Some wait with a glimmer of hope that we are close. As it says in Psalms: הֵ֭מָּה כָּרְע֣וּ וְנָפָ֑לוּ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ קַּ֝֗מְנוּ וַנִּתְעוֹדָֽד׃ They collapse and lie fallen, but we rally and gather strength. (20:9) May this Hanukah bring the hostages home and if not may we keep the fight alive for their return. This week’s discussion is called “You Can Run but You Cannot Hide” click here for source sheet.
These are the names and ages of the 100 hostages still held captive. Tamir Adar (38) Muhammad Al-Atarash (39) Hisham Al-Sayed (36) Hamzah AlZayadni (23) Yosef AlZayadni (53) Liri Albag (19) Edan Alexander (20) Matan Angrest (20) Karina Ariev (20) Aviv Atzili (49) Sahar Baruch (24) Uriel Baruch (35) Ohad Ben Ami (55) Agam Berger (20) Gali Berman (27) Ziv Berman (27) Ariel Bibas (5) Kfir Bibas (1.5) Shiri Bibas (33) Yarden Bibas (35) Elkana Bohbot (35) Rom Braslavski (21) Itay Chen (19) Sagui Dekel Chen (36) Eliya Cohen (27) Nimrod Cohen (20) Amiram Cooper (85) Bar Cooperstein (22) Ariel Cunio (27) David Cunio (34) Emily Damari (28) Evyatar David (23) Itzhak Elgarat (69) Ronen Engel (54) Daniella Gilboa (20) Guy Gilboa-Dalal (23) Meny Godard (73) Hadar Goldin (23) Romi Gonen (24) Ran Gvili (24) Gad Haggai (72) Judi Weinstein Haggai (70) Tal Haimi (41) Inbar Hayman (27) Maxim Herkin (36) Eitan Horn (38) Yair Horn (46) Tzachi Idan (50) Guy Illouz (26) Bipin Joshi (24) Ofer Kalderon (54) Segev Kalfon (26) Ofra Keidar (70) Bar Abraham Kupershtein (23) Solasak Lamanao (30) Eitan Levi (53) Shay Levinson (19) Naama Levy (20) Or Levy (34) Oded Lifshitz (84) Shlomo Mantzur (86) Eliyahu Margalit (75) Avera Mangisto (38) Omri Miran (47) Joshua Loitu Mollel (21) Eitan Abraham Mor (24) Gadi Moshe Mozes (80) Pinta Natthaphong (35) Omer Neutra (21) Tamir Nimrodi (20) Yosef-Chaim Ohana (24) Alon Ohel (23) Sontia Ok’Krasari (30) Avinatan Or (31) Dror Or (48) Daniel Oz (19) Daniel Peretz (22) Sontisek Rintalk (43) Lior Rudaeff (61) Banawat Saithiao (27) Yonatan Samerano (21) Eli Sharabi (52) Yossi Sharabi (53) Oron Shaul (21) Omer Shem-Tov (22) Tal Shoham (39) Idan Shtivi (28) Keith Samuel Siegel (65) Doron Steinbrecher (31) Sathian Suwannakham (34) Pongsak Thaenna (35) Alexanrdre Sasha Troufanov (29) Sriuan Watchara (32) Ilan Weiss (56) Omer Wenkert (23) Yair Yaakov (59) Ohad Yahalomi (50) Arbel Yehoud (29) Arieh Zalmanowicz (85) Matan Zangauker (24)
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Vayetzei (Genesis 28:10) - Vayishlach (32:4) - Vayeshev (37:1) He went out - he sent - he settled.
What stage do we think will be the best? Why? What are we looking forward to? Why? Why do we move from one stage to another?
The names of these three portions speak to different stages in Jacob’s life but could easily be ours. We set out on our lives including careers, relationships, and family. We consciously make decisions about how and when we want to move to the next stage and then life happens. More importantly, what do we take with us through each stage? When we decide to live with certain values, we are better able to negotiate each new stage. When we take with us honesty, integrity and gratitude, no matter what stage we find ourselves in, we will be able to handle whatever comes our way.
This week’s D’var Torah “Hear Me, Listen to Me, Pay Attention to Me” you can find thesource sheet here.
Please join me for “FinishStrong” this week. It is an open ended conversation after lunch on Shabbat morning. You certainly will leave with something to think about.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"But as she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin." (Genesis 35:18) Singular moments in our lives can define us. They don’t have to, yet they often do. What we must not permit to happen is being defined by someone else. Friends describe us, co-workers label us, siblings pigeonhole us and parents name us. At this moment Rachel, in agony, names her son, “child of my suffering.” Then she passes away. Jacob renames his son, “child of my right hand.” With a few letter changes, Jacob changes the narrative of his son’s life. Singular moments in our lives can define us. They don’t have to if we properly name them. This week’s sermon is, “The Whole Nine Yards.” We look forward to celebrating with Natalie Kushner this shabbat for her bat mitzvah and we extend a hearty Mazel tov to her parents Roy and Dalia and her brother Emet.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"But as she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin." (Genesis 35:18) Singular moments in our lives can define us. They don’t have to, yet they often do. What we must not permit to happen is being defined by someone else. Friends describe us, co-workers label us, siblings pigeonhole us and parents name us. At this moment Rachel, in agony, names her son, “child of my suffering.” Then she passes away. Jacob renames his son, “child of my right hand.” With a few letter changes, Jacob changes the narrative of his son’s life. Singular moments in our lives can define us. They don’t have to if we properly name them. This week’s sermon is, “The Whole Nine Yards.” We look forward to celebrating with Natalie Kushner this shabbat for her bar mitzvah and we extend a hearty Mazel tov to her parents Roy and Dalia and her brother Emet.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"Shaken, he said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven.” (Genesis 28:17)
It is easy to see God in nature. Whether it is a landscape or a sunrise, an ocean or even a drop of rain on a leaf, it is easy to be inspired by nature. Equally impressive is witnessing an extraordinary act of kindness or compassion. To recognize such wonders is what A.J. Heschel called it an “ah ha moment.” These are the places and events that take our breath away. I challenge you to see God in the mundane. To understand the regular and common as also moments to appreciate it's important. For some, getting out of bed is impossible. Be grateful for that. For some, taking a breath is painful, be grateful for that. For the ability to sit quietly unfettered by challenging thoughts, be grateful. Know that God is in that place as well.
This week’s discussion: “What Goes Around Comes Around” the link to the source sheet can be found here .
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Prayer Gives Us A Chance to Think of Others “Isaac pleaded with יהוה on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and יהוה responded to his plea, and his wife Rebekah conceived.” (Genesis 25:21)
The prayer we offer on behalf of someone else is the most beautiful prayer we can possibly utter. Often we find ourselves asking for something for ourselves. We pray to be successful. We pray for forgiveness for the mistakes we have made. We pray for greater understanding when our patiences grows tired. However, I believe the prayer we offer for someone else is the highest form of prayer. Prayer gives us the chance to step out of our own self centered world and think about others. Life can be exhausting when all we think about is ourselves. Life is elevated when we think of others.
This week’s Discussion: The Farbissene Punim - The Resting Bitter Face
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore to him as bidden.” (Genesis 24:9)
In relationships we make requests all of the time. Can you please take out the garbage? Can you please empty the dishwasher? Those are requests that we can easily accomplish. Then there are “reach requests.” These are the requests we make of each other that may very difficult to accomplish. Can you be more accepting of my friends? Can you please listen to what I am saying, even after a long and difficult day at work? With “reach requests” we may or may not be able to do them. Trying to meet the needs of another is sometimes difficult. Sometimes just say “yes” even though we are not actually sure we can or will do them. This verse reminds us to keep our promises even if they are hard to do. Think before you make a commitment. Your word is your honor.
This week's sermon: Resident Aliens: Pathway to Citizenship
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רׇץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה׃ Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground, (genesis 18:2)
This sentence comes as Abraham is about to meet up with the messengers who will inform him that Sarah, his wife, will conceive and bear a child for them. Interestingly, Abraham has just been circumcised and he is sitting out in front of his tent recovering in the sun. The message is simple especially for those who have gone through a surgical procedure. Recovery is difficult and it is easy to sit around in self pity. Abraham teaches us, just when you might be feeling down, maybe even beat up a little, that is the time to do something for someone else. We all need time to recover from the setbacks in our lives. However, we cannot become absorbed in self pity. We must plot a course forward and meet the challenges of the day. Abraham teaches, if you are down just do something for someone else. Upcoming Events Reverend Gareth Evan and I will be in conversation: Common Ground: God Bless America! Praying in Public for our Elected Leaders— Patriotic Duty or Divisive Practice? - In post-election America, we will explore the pros and cons of Jewish and Christian prayers, both formally conceived and spontaneously offered for our elected leaders. THURSDAY, NOV. 14, 10 - 11 am, Shames JCC GHC BOOK CLUB TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 10 am All are invited to discuss this month's book selection, The Hebrew Teacher, by Maya Arad.Zoom link : The discussion for Shabbat morning will be: “Finding Your Moral Compass” (If you can’t be with us in person here is Link for source sheet)
FinishStrong: Does Jewish law permit doing an alternative Haftorah?
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1) Stepping into the unknown is what is sometimes required of us. This week we will elect a new President. Regardless of who is elected, it will be a different administration than one we have had for the past four years. In many ways the trajectory of our nation will change because of the selection of new leaders or keeping others in Congress. Some of our local elections will most certainly see new leaders and representatives. The landscape will dramatically and subtlety change based on our selection. We will wake Wednesday morning (hopefully) knowing who the leaders and representatives will be. However, we will not know what lies ahead. Stepping into the unknown is scary. Fortunately, we get to do it together.
The discussion for Shabbat morning will be: “Avoiding Familial Strife” (If you can’t be with us in person here is Link for source sheet) FinishStrong: Does Jewish law permit doing an alternative Haftorah?
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"Never again will I curse the ground because of human beings, since the desires of the human heart are evil from youth; nor will I ever again strike down every living being, as I have done". (Genesis 8:21)
We all make promises that in the heat of the moment we intend to fulfill. Sometimes it is the best of times and sometimes it is the worst of times but we make commitments we expect we will follow through on. Yet, time passes and we forget, we make excuses or we flat out just decide we never really meant it. It is now just under a month away from the High Holidays. So how are you doing on your New year’s resolution?
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked". (Genesis 3:7) There are singular moments in history when no matter how hard the world tries they cannot deny reality. The same is true of ourselves. We say that love is blind, until you spend years with that person. Or we say that we turn a blind eye when we don’t want to acknowledge something. Then there are moments of self awareness. Sometimes they happen in the most difficult moments and sometimes they are completely private. It is in those moments we are offered the greatest opportunity for growth. Sending you all lots of love from Israel, where I am celebrating my daughter’s wedding.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"The end of the matter; all has been heard.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13: ) I prefer the phrase "it all comes out in the wash.” They don’t exactly mean the exact same thing, however it is pretty close. Each of us has told someone a secret only to find that it becomes public. We either become defensive and deny we ever said it or mortified that the information has gotten out. Either way, we wish we had not told the secret in the first place. Either we are upset because our judgment was flawed in trusting the person we trusted or we are upset with the person for spilling the beans. No matter, we should not have spoken out of turn. Maybe we all ought to make this a New year’s resolution. Just tell fewer secrets.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
There are four kinds of temperaments: Easy to become angry, and easy to be appeased: his gain disappears in his loss; Hard to become angry, and hard to be appeased: his loss disappears in his gain; Hard to become angry and easy to be appeased: a pious person; Easy to become angry and hard to be appeased: a wicked person. (Pirkei Avot 5:11) יהוה passed before him and proclaimed: “!יהוה! יהוה a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6)
Slow to anger and easy to forgive. In this season of the year, we are concerned with the idea of forgiveness. We think about who has wronged us and whom we have wronged. We ask God for forgiveness and we try our best to forgive ourselves. Often we conceive of God as embodying the best of ourselves. We attach human traits to God so that we can relate to God. We think of God as compassionate and at times we ask God to exact judgment without bias. Sometimes we seek God’s grace regardless of the transgression we commit. Now apply it to yourself. Strive to be your best self and you will discover something divine. This week’s Shabbat discussion will be entitled “Where is God?”
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
He said to them: I am now one hundred and twenty years old, I can no longer be active. Moreover, יהוה has said to me, “You shall not go across yonder Jordan.” (Deuteronomy 31:2) This sentence has become the common wish given on a person’s birthday: “you should live to 120” or as some say “you should live to 100 and be like 20.” Either way, it is clear that according to Moses, he has lived a full life and now that he is coming to the end, he is satisfied with all that he has accomplished.
Moses is teaching an extraordinary lesson. We should remain productive all the way to the end. Retirement should mean having time to do those things that you have always wanted to do. Yes we all need down time. We all need vacations and respite from the difficult tasks in our lives. However, that should lead to greater productivity when you return. So many return home after time away more tired than they were before. Yet the change breathes a new energy, a new perspective critical enhanced productivity.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
When you enter the land that your God יהוה is giving you as a heritage, and you possess it and settle in it, you shall take some of every first fruit of the soil, which you harvest from the land that your God יהוה is giving you, put it in a basket and go to the place where your God יהוה will choose to establish the divine name. (Deuteronomy 26:1-2)
Parents will easily remember a time when their children came home from school proclaiming, “Look what I made.” From those early days we have learned to take pride in our accomplishments. And there is great satisfaction in making something. A member of our congregation, when we were in the city together, once said, with great pride, “I arranged the financing for that building.” It stuck with me because of the joy that comes with bringing something into this world.
There is great satisfaction in making something with your own two hands. The rabbis remind us of the importance of being a productive member of society. We must contribute to the greater good. While it is much easier to look at a cabinet you may have built or a piece of art you created, there are other ways to contribute. Find your skill and your talent and share it.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
“When you [an Israelite warrior] take the field against your enemies, and your God יהוה delivers them into your power and you take some of them captive.” (Deuteronomy 21:10)
Two very important ideas spring forth from the opening sentence of this week’s Torah reading.
The text says, “when” not “if.” This specific reading suggests that war is inevitable. 1. Already thousands of years ago humanity has already resigned to the fact that international conflict is unavoidable. 2. And when wars occur there are rules even in such chaos.
Each of us needs to ask ourselves about the inevitability of the war in Gaza and are the combatants who embroiled in the conflict executing the war with any sense of the rules of war? Every war has collateral damage and that is sad. We must pray for those who have been placed in harm’s way either because there is nowhere else to go or because they are being used as human shields. However, Hamas, I must remind you is a terrorist organization, could end the conflict tomorrow by laying down their weapons and giving back those civilians they have ruthlessly tortured for nearly a year. Women, men and children who have been torn from family and friends. There is not a day that goes by that the first thought and the last thought of everyday are the hostages and their families being held captive. This has to end. May God help return every remaining hostage be returned to their families and may the forces of evil see their demise speedily in our day.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that your God יהוה is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:20) The above quote coupled with “you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land”(Leviticus 25:10) the Torah implores us to understand the centrality of justice and freedom. It is what my heart longs for more and more. Every day for the last 332 days I have wavered between my desire for liberty and my yearning for justice. I want liberty for those still held and justice for those who have been killed. With the news this past Sunday of the death of 6 more hostages I lean towards what will justice for killing these 6 innocent people look like and will we know when we see it. Will Hamas ever be held accountable and who will exact it? “Justice justice you shall pursue” and “you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land” are two sides of the same coin. Without one there can never be the other.
Starting this week! Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org When you register I will provide the link.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Being Jewish Intentionally “Be careful to observe only that which I enjoin upon you: neither add to it nor take away from it.” (Deuteronomy 13:1)
The Torah enjoins us not to make the commandments so onerous that people decide to walk away from the system entirely. On the other side, the Torah reminds us that a system without any standards becomes meaningless. We all know that every Jew no matter movement affiliation or level of connection choses what he/she wants to follow. For each of us we decide which commandments are more or less meaningful. For some the meaning comes first and for others the practice comes first. However, no matter the goal is to engage everyone at a level that works for them. Judaism should have a low barrier for entry but not so low it no longer looks like Judaism. As the summer draws to a close and a new year is about to begin, we should make the right choices for each of us and we should do that intentionally.
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course. Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in. This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing t
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Little by Little Your God יהוה will dislodge those peoples before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them at once, else the wild beasts would multiply to your hurt. (Deuteronomy 7:22) If you have ever felt overwhelmed it is because there is too much going on all at once. When we have demands of family, work, health and friends, we can easily find there is nothing left for ourselves. The words מְעַ֣ט מְעָ֑ט mean little by little is good advice. When you have too much ahead of yourself to accomplish, use the phrase מְעַ֣ט מְעָ֑ט - little by little, to take a minute to compose yourself. You might even decide to make a list and take on each item one by one.
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course. Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in. This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"We will dance again.” These are the words that Mia Schem had inked onto her arm, above the date 7.10.23, following her release from Gaza after 55 harrowing days in captivity. The sentiment of eternal hope for a better future is resonant from the national anthem of the The State of Israel, Hatikvah - The Hope. Today is Tisha B'av, the day set aside recalling the many tragedies in Jewish history, first and foremost the destruction of the Temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE. While the reasons for the destruction have long been laid out before us from outside enemies to internal division. And no doubt those lessons still apply. Yet we are still here. We are resilient. We survive against all odds. While we are living right now through our own Tisha B'av experience beginning on October 7, 2023, we yet hope and pray that healing is at hand.
This Shabbat Discussion will be: "There is Enough Blame to Go Around"
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course. Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in. This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י טׇרְחֲכֶ֥ם וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם׃ "How can I bear unaided the trouble of you, and the burden, and the bickering!" (Deuteronomy 1:12) The first word of this sentence in Hebrew is Eicha. In English there is a book of the Torah known as Eicha, which means Lamentations. It is read on the Tisha B’av which will be observed beginning August 12th at night and going through August 13. It commemorates the destruction of both the first and second Temples and is considered one of the worst days in the Jewish year. Here, Moses recalls a time when it was too difficult to lead the Jewish people by himself. It is interesting to note that until this moment he wasn’t leading the Jewish people by himself, he had Miriam and Aaron to help. However, it was still too much and so he assigns judges from every tribe to assist him. This verse, therefore, teaches two important lessons.
When you become overwhelmed, you sometimes forget there are those already in your life ready to help. You may have just lost sight of them in your emotions.
When you become overwhelmed, ask for help.
This week’s Shabbat discussion will be about “The Triangulated Relationship.”
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course. Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in. This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
“It would be a favor to us,” they continued, “if this land were given to your servants as a holding; do not move us across the Jordan.” (Numbers 32:5) After winning the war against Midian, two and a half tribes turn to Moses and say, we have had enough. We would like to stay here right here. We don’t really need to go into the land of Israel. Knowing when you have arrived at the best place for you is hard to do. In a world that encourages us to never be satisfied, Judaism says, know when you have enough. The Rabbis of the Talmud teach, when you seek to hold on to too much you end up dropping everything.
Our Shabbat monring conversation has gotten quite lively. This week the topic will be "What Interupts Our Journey"
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course. Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in. This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Real Equality “The name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.” (Numbers 26:46) After a long list of men who will make up the armed forces of the Jewish people, the sons who will fight for our survival, the text pauses and reminds us there were daughters also. In today’s Israeli army women make extraordinary contributions right alongside the men. For the Jewish people to survive we need everyone to contribute. While some ignore the great women of our people we have long reminded our little girls that they can be the next Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. When our children open their prayer books they see their names prominently displayed alongside Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
This week's Shabbat discussion is entitled, "Family Stain"
The month of Elul, the month before the High Holidays is time to prepare for the coming Holiday season and year. Many devote themselves to study during that time. Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024 This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence. Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course. Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in. This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
“Moab was alarmed because that people was so numerous. Moab dreaded the Israelites” (Numbers 22:3) “And he said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are much too numerous for us.” (Exodus 1:9)
How the world views us has been at the core of the war with Hamas since October 14th. The world gave us the benefit of the doubt, gave us the right to defend ourselves one week and then world opinion changed. Security council condemnation began. At the behest of South Africa, The International Court started criminal investigations. Protest began on the college campuses. As Dara Horn, the author of the book “People Love Dead Jews” might say, the world just doesn’t like. People have sought ways and reasons for our destruction. Yet we stand strong. We survive and more than merely existing we continue to make the world a better place, through science, technology, art and culture. Am Yisrael Chai.
This week’s discussion during the sermon time will be: "Understanding What is Written Between the Lines"
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
“But יהוה said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land that I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12)
Just after the death of his sister, Miriam, the Jewish people once again complain about their lack of water. You can imagine the personal turmoil and the particular challenge the moment presented for him and he makes a mistake. That mistake seemingly cost Moses the right to enter the land of Israel. The message is clear for us all. When we are not at our best, we all make mistakes. It is in those times we all need to pause and take the time we need to care for ourselves. Then we can be there for others. If not, we may end up saying something, doing something we regret.
The discussion this Shabbat at 11:00ish will be “Line in the Sand and Red Line: When One Leads to the Other.”
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
"They combined (וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ) against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and יהוה is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above יהוה’s congregation?” (Numbers 16:3)
The Hebrew word for "community" is the same as "they combined." In Hebrew the קָּהֲל֞, kahal means community or congregation. Often a synagogue is referred to as a Kahal Kadosh, a holy community. You may have even seen the letters ק"ק.
The context of this statement is the rebellion of Korach against Moses’ leadership. Korach “amassed" the people against Moses. The word for coming together is morally neutral. People come together in protest and in solidarity. People rally for good and for bad. On rare occasions there “are good people on both sides.” (Certainly not in Charlottesville.) This Shabbat we will be discussing the role of challenging authority. When is it necessary and when it is simply self serving?
Please join me for this 15 minute conversation entitled "Challenging Authority in the Abrahamic Religions" at around 11:00 am.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
“We saw the Nephilim there—the Anakites are part of the Nephilim—and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them.” (Numbers 13:33)
What other people think of us is none of our business. We spend so much psychic energy worrying about what other people think of us. Are we considered smart or hip or mean or... you fill in the blank? Rather, we should devote our energies to what we think of ourselves. Learning from this story, we ought to turn off the negative self-talk. We need to stop putting ourselves down saying things like I wish I was as tall or as smart, as beautiful or as insightful as others. We must learn to identify when we do it, first becoming conscious that we are doing it. Then we must replace that with kindness to ourselves and positive reinforcement acknowledging we are capable of so much more than we thought.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
Welcome to Rabbi's Corner. This is a stream of Rabbi Stein's דברי תורה (divrei torah, words of Torah).
