D’Var Torah – Parashat Beshalach
During this service, we took the familiar prayers and then listened to ones in a different voice. This book of the Torah that we are currently reading, the whole Exodus …
D’var Torah Parashat Shemot “Moses, the Reluctant Leader”
by Pat Myers With this week’s parsha, Shemot, we begin the book of Exodus, or, in Hebrew, the book Shemot, which means “names.” And the first few verses of Shemot …
Torah Commentary Parashat Bo Exodus 10:1-13:16
by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman This week’s parsha, Bo, continues the narrative of Moses and Aaron coming to Pharaoh in order to free the Israelite slaves. Pharaoh again refuses. Having refused …
D’var Torah Parashat Vayechi
by George Gazarek Being a young man who spent thirty years as a Christian, twenty-six years as an agnostic, and fourteen years as a Jew, I sometimes reflect on my …
“Better Gods” Gives Operatic Life to a Little-Known Chapter in History
by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Writing an opera on the history of Hawaii is a bold endeavor, as it explores a history and culture less familiar to us, yet of significance …
D’var Torah Parashat Lech Lecha
by George Gazarek This week’s Torah Portion opens with The Eternal telling Abram, “Lech lecha” – go forth –“to a land that I will show you,” to Canaan. Famine sends …
D’var Torah Parashat Chayei Sarah
by Suzanne Darby This week’s Torah portion is Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1−25:18. It is the only parasha named for a woman. Although its name means “Life of Sarah,” the portion …
D’var Torah – Rosh Hashanah 5776
by Suzanne Darby Rosh Hashanah — why do we observe this day? Be-cause the Torah tells us we are commanded by God. In Leviticus, Chapter 23, Verse 23, the Lord …
Rabbi’s Sermon “And We Cried Out!”
Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur 5776 by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Vanitzʼak is a word found in several verses of the Torah. It means ʻand we cried out!ʼ This is a year for …
Rabbi’s Sermon – Rosh Hashanah 5776
by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Today, we celebrate the birthday of the world. In spiritual and biblical counting devised by the rabbis we are beginning 5776 years since the biblical telling …