Passover for a Jew – The Chronicle Herald (Passover 5776)

the online version: http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/1358615-%E2%80%98what-passover-is-for-me%E2%80%99 Passover for a Jew is that special holiday when he, his family and his friends are seated around a specially set table and internalize an astounding truth that they carry on for generations. That is, that the Tanach, the Jewish Bible, is still being written and that they are the main …

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The role of the congregation in the service – (blurb for bulletin 5776, Rosh HaShana)

The Force commander prepared to conquer his target destination. He did not worry. He had more soldiers than the enemy. They were all motivated, well prepared and were better equipped than the enemy. “Forward!!” he howled and charged with full speed. bullets whistled around him before he halted on his track. Wait a second… he …

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Universal Judaism in a nutshell – Shalom Magazine, High Holidays 5776

How can one dare proclaim to compress the vastness of Judaism, the bedrock of all monotheistic religions, in a… nutshell? Is that not insultingly pretentious?? I would have thought so, if it weren’t for the precedents that our sages set down some two millennia ago. Rabbi Akiva narrowed down the 613 commandments to one nuclear …

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125th anniversary – my message to the Beth Israel community (booklet)

While standing in front of the new entrance sign to our Synagogue, I thought about the meaning of its message to us: “Inspired by our past, investing in our future” The Baron de Hirsch Congregation has lived as a Jewish family at least 125 years and even longer prior to its formal incorporation. The Beth …

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Euthanasia – ‘Compassionate murder’ (For Shalom Magazine, spring 16)

Compassionate Murder My father is a man of great courage and strength. Even today, when is in his mid-sixties, he can probably wrestle down me and my three siblings with one hand tied behind his back. This, together with a big scoop of independence, led him to travel over most of the world for the …

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Numb Burns – Introduction for Shoa lecture series at Dalhousie University (March 8, 15)

The significance of numbers can never be over-rated. Did you ever stop to think how reality, in general, and your own life, in particular, would have looked like-without the use of… numbers? Any grand idea, whether in quality or quantity, would have been ever so limited if it weren’t for the safe confinement of those simple …

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A true miracle is made by us – Winter Shalom Magazine

Chanukah has become an almost world-wide known holiday of lights. Just before the Christmas tree is set- the Jews whisk out their menorah and hallelujah! Candles, gifts and Chanukah “carols” are embraced and celebrated all over English speaking countries (and o’, of course- Israel too…). What is the reason of celebration? Many answers have been given. I would …

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Shmita – Jewish Economic Laws of ‘Capitalism with a Social Net’ (‘Beth Israel Synagogue’ bulletin, High Holidays 5775)

Money makes the world go round, and round, and round. Viewing it in perspective leads to the inevitable conclusion that anything that accelerates needs an inhibiter to balance it, because just like the world itself, people too, very often find themselves going round. Once you’re on top, often you might find yourself glancing upward from …

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The necessity of moral action – Shalom Magazine for High Holidays 5775 (Sept, 14)

Kristallnacht is no longer just a dark memory in the world’s history, that night when evil emerged as a force that was not thwarted before it was too late.Destruction of synagogues and Jewish-owned stores, deaths of over a hundred and the expulsion of thousands, were encountered by the world’s silence. (Nov 9th 1938, ‘the night of broken …

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Organ donations – “reverse onus” (Jewish perspective)

  Introduction– current situation in N.S. Currently peotential organ donors in Nova Scotia are identified by opt-in option when they register for their health card. In addition, potential donors are identified by discussion with next of kin and physicians in critical care facilities around the province. as reported in Globe and Mail, April 24, 2014 …

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