This week marks the fifth yahrzeit of my friend and colleague, Rabbi Fred Elias. To mark this milestone, I reunited with several classmates at the Jewish Theological Seminary for a morning of memorializing, reflection, and learning.
A Bisl Torah
The Sworn Truth
How often do we hear someone utter to themselves or casually remark, “I swear it’s true” – without taking the time to verify the veracity of their statements?
Take the Step
In the Exodus story, the sea splitting is considered one of the greatest miracles of all time. While at first Pharaoh tells the Jews to leave Egypt, he predictably changes his mind, and the Egyptians race to annihilate the Hebrew slaves. The slaves flee, only to face what seems like an endless floor of water and despair. How will they possibly reach the promise of freedom?
God’s Signs
As Pharaoh’s heart hardens, God continues to prove God’s existence and subsequently, God’s strength. Plagues are unleashed and God’s signs ultimately convince Pharaoh to let the Hebrew slaves leave Egypt.
Shortness of Spirit
The Torah reveals an uplifting message from God: God will redeem the Hebrew slaves from their misery! But as Moses relays the miraculous news, the Hebrew slaves essentially ignore his announcement. The news for which they awaited fell on deaf ears.
The Tzadikim
I have a feeling that Angelenos have met more tzadikim, more righteous people, this week than perhaps ever before. Maimonides, the great Jewish philosopher, teaches that any human being can strive to be as righteous as Moses. We have within each one of us the capacity to be wise, merciful, and generous. It isn’t a matter of finding the righteous. It is a matter of choosing to be righteous.
A Prayer During the Southern California Wildfires
Ribono shel Olam, Master of the Universe, protect those that are impacted by the devastating Southern California fires. Guide them towards shelter and safety. As family, friends, neighbors, and fellow Angelenos experience physical and emotional loss, may we turn towards each other with open homes and open hearts.
Very Good
When God creates human beings, God describes the act as, “Very good.”
Publicize Your Miracle…Tonight
Each night of Hannukah, we ritually place the lit Hannukiah in the window, one that opens to the outside world. The rabbis of the Talmud called this, “pirsumei nisa.” We are meant to publicize the miracle of Hannukah, a spiritual and military victory in which the Jews rededicated a defiled and desecrated Temple in the land of Israel and reaffirmed their faith in God.
Be the Miracle
Sinai Temple recently hosted Montana Tucker, acclaimed singer, songwriter, dancer, and proud Israel activist. The granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Montana has been using her large social media platform (14 million followers) to share their story and combat antisemitism in ways that are impactful and accessible.
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