After two whole months, Russian troops continue to threaten the sovereignty of Ukraine in brutal aggressive attacks on government and civilian structures, reminiscent of the invasion of Poland 83 years ago which triggered the beginning of World War II. Some think we are on the brink of nuclear destruction; others think that it is much ado about nothing and simply does not concern us. Some of our friends very well may be asking, “Why does it matter?” 1. It matters because of the suffering and agony that both Ukrainians and Russians are experiencing as a result of a vicious unprovoked attack ..read more

In this week’s parasha, Beshalach (Exodus 13:17 – 17:16*), we continue the Exodus narrative. Ten plagues had fallen on Egypt, largely due to Pharoah’s hard-heartedness in not allowing Bnei-Israel to depart. The final plague was literally the “last straw:” the death of all the firstborn of Egypt from Pharoah’s house to the lowest servant’s hovel as well as all the livestock throughout the land. Only Jacob’s descendants were spared. This caused Pharoah, in a moment of great despair, to send Bnei-Israel out of his land. Sadly, as day dawned, Pharoah realized that during the night, not only ha ..read more

In a recent Bible study, we were tasked to read Luke 20:1-8 and then “study it, meditate on it, or whatever you like to do with the scriptures in the study.” Then we were to expound on one or more points that speak to us. What follows is a result of my study. It’s all a question of authority: who has it and who wants it. All three of the Gospel writers record Yeshua’s confrontation in the Temple—Luke 20:1, Matthew 21:23, and Mark 11:27. Between the three accounts, all three groups of religious leadership were involved, the ruling kohanim (priests), Torah scholars, and elders of the people ..read more

This Month* in Jewish History (TMJH) Presents: The Posner Menorah *On the Gregorian calendar, this event happened in late December. However, it occurred during Hanukkah, which always begins on the evening of 28th Kislev and ends on 2nd Tevet on the Jewish calendar. This year, Hanukkah is from the evening of 28th of November to December 6th.  In 1932, weeks before Hitler became chancellor, Dr. Akiva Posner watched in horror as this swastika was raised across the street from his apartment in Kiel. Dr. Posner had received his doctorate from Halle-Wittenberg University, and eventually acce ..read more

The long history of Judaism can be both a blessing and a sort of curse: on the one hand, we have thousands of years of wisdom to tap into. On the other hand, it can be difficult to meaningfully understand certain traditions in the context of our contemporary lives. There is not one neat cultural meaning of Hanukkah that resonates with modern Jewish sensibilities. Some have suggested that Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom. Others see it as a general response to authoritarian oppression. Some even joke tongue-in-cheek that the miracle of the oil lasting eight days is a divine response to ..read more

In Vayeshev (“And he dwelt,” referring to Jacob in the land of Canaan), we can see the invisible hand of God orchestrating the story that ultimately leads to the coming of the Redeemer, Messiah Yeshua. This week’s portion isolates the early story of Joseph, who is sent by his Father to catch up with his brothers, who are out in the country tending the sheep. The brothers of Joseph are already plagued by jealousy because their Father has favored their dreamer brother, Joseph, evidenced by clothing him in an ornamental colorful tunic. Joseph had also prophesied that his brothers and even his ..read more

Parashat VaYishlach, Genesis 32:4–36:43 It is almost 2022, marking a little under two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began and brought a plethora of social, economic, and political issues undeniably to the surface. Even as life improves marginally for some, new trials appear for others—from housing struggles to the Delta variant to general isolation exhaustion. It hardly needs to be said that sticking together as a community is still as important as ever. But between political schisms and echo chambers, arguments and point-keeping, community has proved difficult to maintain. This week’s ..read more

The patriarchal narrative continues in this week’s parasha, Vayeitzei (Genesis 28:10 – 32:3). We find Jacob on his way tp Haran, seemingly in an attempt to get away from his justifiably-angry elder twin brother Esau, after Jacob had stolen Esau’s blessing from their dying father, Isaac. It is important to note, however, that Jacob’s “fleeing” was not a spur-of-the-moment choice. At the end of last week’s parasha, we read, Then Isaac sent Jacob away and he went toward Paddan-aram, to Laban the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau. Now Esau saw th ..read more

This Month in Jewish History (TMJH) Presents: Sholem Asch In November, we celebrate the birth of the iconoclast Yiddish storyteller Sholem Asch (1880—1957). Asch was born in Kutno, Poland, on November 1, 1880, to a scholarly Orthodox Jewish family. As a child, he became intensely interested in the world outside of the shtetel. Asch learned to read German with the help of Moses Mendelsohn’s German translation of the Psalms. From that, he learned the Latin alphabet and began studying German classical and Hebrew Haskalah literature. His parents attempted to dissuade him from reading secular an ..read more

The High Holidays are behind us for another year. We have travelled God’s way in those marathon weeks, and it may be tempting for us to settle back into a comfortable, mindless rhythm until Chanukah starts at the end of November. However, from shofar blowing and fasting to dancing, we must ask ourselves: where have we been, where are we now, and what does this mean for the days ahead? We started with the Jewish New Year on Rosh Hashana with the blast of the shofar signaling the alarm for us to get right with God. We were then called to engage in collective and individual self-examination a ..read more