Parshat Lech Lecha: The Incredible Journey…Into Ourselves
Nov. 6, 2020 By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.- Dr. Seuss In passages following the story of Noah and the collapse of the Tower of Babel, we meet Abram, but G-d is AWOL. The Torah mentions Abram’s ancestors … Continue reading “Parshat Lech Lecha: The Incredible Journey…Into Ourselves”
Parshat Bereishit: Take the Red Pill
Oct. 23, 2020 By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES “This is your last chance – there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed… You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: All I’m offering … Continue reading “Parshat Bereishit: Take the Red Pill”
Kohelet and Two Types of People: A Sukkot Drash
Oct. 9, 2020 By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES “Relax, nothing is under control.”- Adi Da Samraj There are two different types of people in the world: Planners and those who go with the flow. Granted, there is lots of grey between those two poles, but generally we lean one way or the other. Regardless of which … Continue reading “Kohelet and Two Types of People: A Sukkot Drash”
The Pillars of Justice, or Why a Whale? – a Yom Kippur Drash
By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES One of my favorite Yiddish stories is I.L. Peretz’s Ob Nisht Noch Hecher (“If Not Higher.”) It’s worth seeking out Peretz’s charming, evocative rendition, even in translation, but briefly: The Rebbe of Nemirov seems to disappear every morning at Sliches time and no one knows to where. The rumour is that … Continue reading “The Pillars of Justice, or Why a Whale? – a Yom Kippur Drash”
CJR Rosh Hashanah Message: Believing is Seeing
Sept. 17, 2020 – By RABBI BARUCH FRYDMAN-KOHL There is a Hebrew expression that goes far beyond the hope for a shanah tovah. It is, “May the old year with troubles end. Let the new year, with blessings, begin.” I hope that this will be the case for us, as individuals and families, for our … Continue reading “CJR Rosh Hashanah Message: Believing is Seeing”
Selichot: The Fine Art of Apology
Sept. 11, 2020 – By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES “No man ever became great or good except through many and great mistakes.” – William Gladstone In the delightful children’s book The Hardest Word – A Yom Kippur Story by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn, a gigantic mythical bird called the Ziz makes a mistake … Continue reading “Selichot: The Fine Art of Apology”
Schooled by Isaiah: The Lessons of Tisha B’Av
By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES Tisha b’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish year, begins at sunset July 29. While most Jewish holidays are ultimately celebratory (“They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat…”), Tisha b’Av is a rare exception. The ninth (tisha) day of the month of Av marks the destruction of the First … Continue reading “Schooled by Isaiah: The Lessons of Tisha B’Av”
Parshat Pinchas: History Has its Eyes on You
July 10, 2020 – By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES In Parshat Pinchas, toward the end of the Book of Numbers, a census has taken place, presumably to assign land rights for when the Hebrews enter the Holy Land. The logistics unfold predictably until the five daughters of Zelofechad arrive at the Tent of Meeting requesting an … Continue reading “Parshat Pinchas: History Has its Eyes on You”
What’s My Motivation? Parshat Korach
By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES A friend posted that her adorable toddler has discovered the magic and wonder of the word, “no.” Apparently, regardless of the question, the answer is always, “no,” spoken loudly, with hands on hips and a defiant twinkle in the eyes. Such is the power of finally having language with which to … Continue reading “What’s My Motivation? Parshat Korach”
Kvetching and 20/20 Hindsight: Parshat Beha’alotecha
By ILANA KRYGIER LAPIDES In the opening scene of Annie Hall, Woody Allen’s highly-strung character Alvy Singer jokes about two elderly Jews having dinner at a resort. One turns to the other and says, “Boy, the food here is really terrible.” The other answers, “And the portions are so small!” We Jews have a reputation … Continue reading “Kvetching and 20/20 Hindsight: Parshat Beha’alotecha”
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