In the 14th chapter of the Book of Numbers, we have a very serious rebellion on the part of the people of Israel. They refuse to go in and claim the land that G-d has promised them, and threaten to stone the two spies who try to encourage them. They desire to return to Egypt, … Continue reading Forgiveness – #BlogElul 25
Category: Judaism
Awakening – #BlogElul23
Ooh, a tough one this time, Rabbi Sommer. I feel like I am in a dialogue with you, even though I've never met you or even corresponded with you. I do hope you are reading these blog posts - I think you are. It's funny how some of these little contributions just flow out of … Continue reading Awakening – #BlogElul23
Seeing – #BlogElul 22
This morning at minyan I had the privilege of leading Shacharit, as I usually do on Sundays. I was thinking about the commandment to wear the tzitzit, the ritual fringes that give the tallit its meaning - otherwise it is just a four-cornered shawl. We remind ourselves of this commandment every morning in the third … Continue reading Seeing – #BlogElul 22
Hearing – #BlogElul 21
The High Holiday services are very auditory - the cantor leads the congregation in many traditional tunes, often there is a choir to enhance the experience. The rabbi gives a longer and more intense sermon than usual. The shofar sounds 100 times over the two days of Rosh HaShanah, and with full force at the … Continue reading Hearing – #BlogElul 21
Endings – #BlogElul 20
How clever of Rabbi Sommer to put Endings at the end of the work week, as we prepare for Shabbat. Cooking special foods, looking forward to resting and seeing friends at shul, putting this first week of school behind us. I've been writing and posting these blogs the evening before, when it is the Jewish … Continue reading Endings – #BlogElul 20
Beginnings – #BlogElul 19
Ah, Rabbi Sommer, you've hit it again. Right on the nose. I heard people on the radio talking about how September really feels more like a new year than January - especially in Manitoba, where the summer is short and precious. The people reluctantly come back from the lake and take up reality again, preparing … Continue reading Beginnings – #BlogElul 19
Wearing tefillin while female
When I was growing up in Israel, my father went to the local (Orthodox - there was nothing else at the time) synagogue on a regular basis. My mother, sister and I only went on the High Holy Days because we were not welcome at other times - the women's balcony was uncomfortable, the sight … Continue reading Wearing tefillin while female