Erev RH- The Talmud teaches, “Great is repentance, for on account of a single person who repents, the sins of all the world are forgiven.” (Yoma 86b) It is outrageous to suggest that one individual could save the world simply by reflecting upon his or her deeds, making amends and apologies and …
Tag Archive: High Holidays
Sep 13 2013
Reflections on the Yamim Noraim- Temple Chai Spiritual Leaders
Erev Rosh HaShanah– Rabbi Mari Chernow S. Y. Agnon tells the story[1] of a young man who became estranged from his father, the king. The son left his father’s palace and wandered from village to village and from city to city. His clothes became tattered and torn. His face changed so that he …
Sep 01 2013
Entering the Yamim Noraim
Forgiveness means so many different things to each of us. However we understand forgiveness, however we approach forgiveness, it is never easy. In fact, for most of us it is the greatest spiritual struggle of our lives. Sue Monk Kidd expressed it this way- “If God said in plain language, ‘I’m giving you a choice, …
Sep 16 2012
Avinu Malkenu- Save Us!
Last Sat night, we ushered in the Yamim Noraim, the days of awe, with an awesomely moving Selichot service, One thing struck me, though- the translation of the prayer Avinua Malkenu. In this prayer, we beg God to treat us with grace, to answer us- we acknowledge that we need compassion beyond the merits of …
Aug 30 2012
In the Scale of Merit
I was sitting in my car, minding my own business, chatting on the phone, waiting for the light to change, when, all of a sudden, from behind the car- boom! The car behind me failed to stop and my rear bumper went crunch. The other driver and I dutifully pulled off into a parking lot …
Aug 17 2012
Elul
Forty days and forty nights of rain. Forty years of wandering. Forty is a meaningful number in our tradition. This Shabbas is Rosh Chodesh Elul, the beginning of the final month of the year, marking forty days until Yom Kippur. If we have not yet begun the process of teshuvah, repentance and return; if we …
Sep 11 2010
Derech Eretz: A Sermon for Rosh HaShana
Delivered this sermon on the importance of good manners and civility at Temple Chai on Rosh HaShanah 5771. [Holding Blackberry Device] Wait just a minute, I have one more text message I need to respond to and then I’ll put this on vibrate and be right with you. . . ) Here it is Rosh …