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From the Rabbi's Desk

Parshat Ki Tavo

08/31/2023 01:08:43 PM

Aug31

Rabbi Hearshen

About a month back, 8/3/2023 (Parshat Ekev) to be exact, I wrote about the concept of Jewish choseness and what it means historically and today. I invoked the words of Tevye from “Fiddler on the Roof:” “I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?” The entire book of Deuteronomy acts as a book on philosophy, theology and the closing words that Moses offers to the people of Israel. In...Read more...

Parshat Ki Tetze

08/24/2023 04:59:02 PM

Aug24

Rabbi Hearshen

Can you imagine not listening to your parents? Worse yet, can you imagine publicly disregarding their wishes and rebelling against them? In reality, each of us can probably think of numerous examples of our own rebellions, or our those of our kids.  We certainly must be able to think of all of the times we witnessed a child disregarding his/her parents and/or rebelling. It’s part of childhood to go against your parents and to develop a...Read more...

Parshat Shoftim

08/17/2023 02:00:40 PM

Aug17

Rabbi Hearshen

It seems that everywhere you look people are talking about courts. They’re talking about judges, juries, grand juries and courtrooms. They’re talking about plea deals and about special counsels. I wish I could give provide a reprieve from all this but this week’s Torah portion is called שופטים/Judges and opens with the words “Judges and officers you shall appoint…” The famous verse “Justice… Justice… you shall...Read more...

Parshat Re'eh

08/10/2023 01:47:53 PM

Aug10

Rabbi Hearshen

"The Road Not Taken" – Robert Frost
 
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
 
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them...Read more...

Parshat Ekev

08/03/2023 04:22:55 PM

Aug3

Rabbi Hearshen

The Chosen People. We’ve been using this term for quite some time. We believe we’re chosen but where does it actually begin? In the book of דברים/Deuteronomy we begin to see an argument for something that sets the Jewish people (the Israelites or Hebrews) apart from the rest of the world. At the end of last week’s reading, VaEtchanan, we find:

לֹ֣א מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞ם...Read more...

Mon, October 2 2023 17 Tishrei 5784