We find an interesting debate in the Talmud regarding Jewish festivals in general. How should a person divide the day? Should it be devoted entirely to G’d through learning and prayer, or should part of it be dedicated to natural human needs and, yes, physical enjoyment as well? Yet regarding Shavuot specifically, everyone agrees that …
Security – Shabbat Kodesh Behar–Bechukotai
We read the following verses: “You shall observe My laws and faithfully keep My rules, so that you may live securely on the land.” וַעֲשִׂיתֶם֙ אֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֔י וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֥י תִּשְׁמְר֖וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם אֹתָ֑ם וִֽישַׁבְתֶּ֥ם עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ לָבֶֽטַח׃ (Vayikra 25:18) “The land shall yield its fruit, you shall eat your fill, and you shall live upon it in security.” וְנָתְנָ֤ה …
Continue reading "Security – Shabbat Kodesh Behar–Bechukotai"
The Mix
When we celebrate “Shabbat Rosh Chodesh,” we add the special “Hallel” prayer to the regular Shabbat Shacharit, and the Musaf is also adjusted to reflect that it is both Shabbat and Rosh Chodesh.However, this particular Rosh Chodesh Iyar also marks the beginning of the “Sefira” mourning period for the twenty-four thousand students of Rabbi Akiva …
Berlin Senate-funded antisemitism project distorts Jewish historyCommunity “disappeared without a trace?”
A publicly funded project presenting Jewish history in Berlin has come under criticism for almost completely omitting central institutions of Jewish life in the historic Scheunenviertel district. The project “Spurlos verschwunden? – Jewish Life in the Heart of Berlin before the Nazi Dictatorship” is carried out by the Stiftung Neue Synagoge Berlin – Centrum Judaicum …
Making the Shabbat… Parashat Vayakhel–Pekudei
Our Parasha begins with a command:“Moses convoked the whole Israelite community and said to them: These are the things that G-d has commanded you to do.” וַיַּקְהֵ֣ל מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֶת־כׇּל־עֲדַ֛ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אֵ֚לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה ה׳ לַעֲשֹׂ֥ת אֹתָֽם׃(Shemot 35:1) He then continues by explaining that Shabbat must be kept as a complete day of …
Continue reading "Making the Shabbat… Parashat Vayakhel–Pekudei"
Jethro, the man who discovered “mixed feelings”… Shabbat Kodesh – Parashat Yitro
The idea that a person can genuinely experience “mixed” feelings is relatively new.Well into the 20th century, many psychologists believed that positive and negative emotions existed only sequentially. Researchers assumed that one could not feel good and bad at the same time. Even today, people often speak about happiness and unhappiness in this way—as if …
Continue reading "Jethro, the man who discovered “mixed feelings”… Shabbat Kodesh – Parashat Yitro"
Return of the Tefillin of Rabbi Dr Jehiel Jacob Weinberg זצ”ל to Berlin
Message from Kahane Corn Cooperman and Matthew Corn (USA) to the Adass Jisroel Community, Berlin On behalf of our parents, Dr. David and Beatrice Corn, we are honoured to present the tefillin of Rabbi Dr. Jehiel Jacob Weinberg to the Adass Jisroel community – a place so central to his life and work in Berlin. …
Continue reading "Return of the Tefillin of Rabbi Dr Jehiel Jacob Weinberg זצ”ל to Berlin"
Hearts vs. Mind … Shabbat Kodesh – Parashat Bo
There are numerous references to Pharaoh’s heart in this week’s Shabbat reading. G’d said to Moshe: “Come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, in order that I may place these signs of Mine in his midst.” בֹּא אֶל־פַּרְעֹה כִּֽי־אֲנִי הִכְבַּדְתִּי אֶת־לִבּוֹ וְאֶת־לֵב עֲבָדָיו לְמַעַן שִׁתִי אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּה …
Continue reading "Hearts vs. Mind … Shabbat Kodesh – Parashat Bo"
The Subconscious reason – Parashat Shemot
When we study this Parsha's conversation in which G’d is urging Moshe Rabeinu to accept the role of leadership, it is astonishing to observe how Moshe Rabeinu uses multiple arguments in his attempt to avoid the mission. At first he reasons with G’d that Bnei Yisrael will ask him "who is the G’d who has …
Continue reading "The Subconscious reason – Parashat Shemot"
Shabbat Vayigash – Two Chasidic stories
The first one happened roughly 180 years ago - the second one, yesterday... First story : Rebbe Moshe Leib of Sassov used to tell his chassidim that he learned what it means to love a fellow from two Russian peasants. Once he came to an inn, where two thoroughly drunk Russian peasants were sitting at …