Jewish Congregation Adass Yisroel, Berlin (Public Corporation)
Our sages זצ"ל suggest quite a few possible explanations to the shocking death of Nadav and Avihu while celebrating the dedication of the new Mishkan. One interesting explanation suggests that Nadav and Avihu entered the Mishkan after drinking wine. This explanation has support from the fact that immediately after the Torah tells us what happened, …
Continue reading "Shabbat Parshat Shmini – The tragedy of Nadav and Avihu"
Hagaon Rav Dr Yechiel Yakob Weinberg זצ"ל was the Rebbe, the Dean of Berlin's Rabbinical Seminary some 90 years ago. He lived in Montreux after the war and was considered one of the biggest Talmidei Chachamim, Torah Scholars of the postwar generation. He says : Why are we not making a Bracha, a blessing on …
וְכָל עַבְדֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר בְּשַׁעַר הַמֶּלֶךְ כֹּרְעִים וּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִים לְהָמָן כִּי כֵן צִוָּה לוֹ הַמֶּלֶךְ וּמָרְדֳּכַי לֹא יִכְרַע וְלֹא יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה “All the king's servants at the king's gate kneeled and bowed before Haman, for so had the king commanded concerning him. But Mordechai would not kneel or bow.” (Megilat Esther, 3.2). וַיֹּאמֶר הָמָן לַמֶּלֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ יֶשְׁנוֹ …
We will read this week in Parshat Vayikra which mainly deals with Korbanot, the sacrificial offering ritual at the Jerusalem’s Temple: וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ כִּֽי־תֶחֱטָ֗א וְשָֽׁמְעָה֙ ק֣וֹל אָלָ֔ה וְה֣וּא עֵ֔ד א֥וֹ רָאָ֖ה א֣וֹ יָדָ֑ע אִם־ל֥וֹא יַגִּ֖יד וְנָשָׂ֥א עֲוֺנֽוֹ׃ "If a person sins, whereby he accepts an oath, and he is a witness [to some matter] or by …
Continue reading "Witness dilemma – Shabbat Kodesh Parshat Vayikrá"
This week brings us to the end of the book Shemot. The final chapter of building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. The last verse in Shemot is : "The divine cloud was over the Mishkan by day, and fire by night, in front of Bnei Yisrael, through all of their travels" (Shemot 40.38). כִּי֩ עֲנַ֨ן יְהֹוָ֤ה …
Continue reading "The Shechina and us – Shabbat Parshat Pekudei"
The governments and the people of Europa and the US are actually experiencing one of the most serious dilemmas of our time. Do we defend what we believe in or what we have signed for? We believe that even if in past years Ukraine has not been always the frontrunner of democracy and respect to …
The Jewish Congregation (Adass Jisroel) Berlin has urgently requested Russia's chief rabbi Lazar to intercede personally with President Putin to guarantee the life of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and his family. A Jewish family whose life is in acute danger.Rabbi Shlomo Dovber Pinchas Lazar is considered a close confidant of Putin, he is the …
Prof. Peter Salovey is the current President of Yale University and a famous social psychologist. Much less known is his "Yichus", i.e. his lineage. Namely, the scholar is a descendant of the illustrious Soloweichik family. Together with two other colleagues, he has established the term EQ - or "Emotional intelligence" which is a relatively new …
As the tragedy of the golden calf unfolds amidst his people, their leader is urged to leave a most important session with G-d himself, and return to his post. We read this week: Hashem spoke to Moshe, “Hurry down, for your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have acted basely" (Shemot 32, 7) …
Continue reading "Parshat „Ki Tissá“ – Descend in order to ascend"
The special Mitzva of Adar is to be BeSimcha, joyful. Not always an easy one (especially when told that you have to...) I find the following story to be a beautiful example of how Simcha itself can alleviate real problems. The two brothers, Reb Elimelech of Lizensk and Reb Zushe of Anipoli, often wandered about together, posing as …