by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 1, 2023 | Faith, God, Prayer, Psalms
By Rabbi Avraham Norin David does not give any indication as to when he composed Psalm 31. Nonetheless, it seems clear that he wrote it while running from an enemy. The commentators assume that it was written as David was fleeing from Saul, after being betrayed by the...
by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 28, 2022 | God, Prayer, Psalms
The sages taught: “Words that come from the heart, enter the heart.” This is clearly true of the Book of Psalms; David’s words came from deep in his heart and have entered the hearts of countless individuals over the ages. Psalm 28 in particular touches me deeply. It...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 6, 2022 | Education, God, Prayer, Psalms
A few years ago, I was in Tel Aviv visiting a friend. After a pleasant afternoon, I decided to have a coffee at a sidewalk cafe before heading home. I was engaging in people-watching when I noticed that someone was watching me in return. A young man with tiny...
by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 5, 2022 | Antisemitism, Chanukah, Chosen Nation, God, Prayer, Psalms, Tests and Trials
Hanukkah is quickly approaching and I am reminded of a joke my father, of blessed memory, used to tell every year after lighting the candles. With the doughnuts and potato pancakes arranged on the table and waiting to be eaten, my dad would announce, “They tried to...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2022 | Cheshvan, Kindness and Compassion, Parenting, Prayer, Redemption, Vayishlach
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz The Torah lists many holidays, but Mother’s Day is not one of them. Because the Torah commands us to honor our parents, every day is Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day). But if there could be one designated day to celebrate the divine gift of...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2022 | Prayer
By Rabbi Avi Baumol God, do not punish me in anger, do not chastise me in fury. (Psalms 6:2) God. With this word David begins the prayer of Psalm six. There is no confusion, no poetic or artistic license. The author makes his intentions perfectly clear. God. He...
