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MainOpEds  Shemini: LimitsThe priestly vocation was to remind the people that there are limits. There is an order to the universe and we must respect it. The shared hell of WWII changed Britain for the better.Coronavirus will do the same. The prophetic view of sacrificeThe thought that made the Prophets incandescent with indignation. What we can learn from the parasha and the pandemicAn extra, encouraging talk from the former UK Chief Rabbi. "Coronavirus will change everyone"Rabbi Sacks' extended BBC Newsnight interview on the Coronavirus situation: "The sanctity of human life, is Judaism's highest ideal and sits above all other commandments." Dressing to impressCovenant and Conversation for Parashat Tetsave. What do we receive when we give?Covenant and Conversation for Terumah: Tzedakah is not only directed to people’s physical needs but also their psychological situation. We will do and we will hearCovenant and conversation for Mishpatim. The Universal and the Particular (Yitro 5780)Why is it that Baruch Hashem, the praise of God, is attributed to Noach, Eliezer and Yitro, whereas from the Israelites, with the marked exception of the Song at the Sea, we seem to hear constant complaints? Crossing the seaWhy the sudden change between the opening of our parsha and its close? Family, faith and freedomCovenant and Conversation for Vayechi.MIketz:Joseph and the risks of powerCovenant and Conversation for the Parasha. The Angel who did not know he was an AngelCovenant and Conversation for Vayeshev 5780. Laban the Aramean: Vayetsei 5780Covenant and Conversation for this week's Torah reading. Isaac and EsauCovenant and Conversation for Parashat Toldot.To have a Why?Covenant and Conversation for Chayei Sarah, including family edition. Vayera: Negative capabilityOne of the most perplexing features of the Abraham story is the disconnect between God’s promises and the reality.``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` A palace in flamesCovenant & Conversation for Lech Lecha. The Genesis of LoveCovenant and Conversation for Breishit 5780. "I Believe" - introduction to 5780Covenant & Conversation for this new year will be based on the basic tenet of Judaism - belief. What gives Kol Nidre its unique power?Why do Jews from all walks of life come to the Yom Kippur eve Kol Nidre service in awe? Rabbi Sacks' whattsapp messages on the Yom Kippur service: Kol Nidre, Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, our King), Vidui (Confession), Mussaf and Neila (endng prayer). 10 thoughts for the High HolydaysTen short ideas which might help you focus your davening and ensure you have a meaningful and transformative experience. Nitzavim: Not beyond the seaCovenant and Conversation for the parasha. Ki Tavo: A nation of storytellersCovenant and Conversation for this week's parasha. Animal welfareWhere is the line between what is allowed and what is not?The politics of memoryEikev 5779, Covenant and Conversation. Why is the Jewish People so small?You do not need numbers to enlarge the spiritual and moral horizons of humankind. You need other things. The teacher as heroMoses became, in the last month of his life, the master educator. PrioritiesIt is hard to think of any other religion or civilisation that has so predicated its very existence on putting children and their education first. Seven Principles for maintaining Jewish PeoplehoodWhilst no empire on earth has ever been able to defeat us, we have, on occasions, been able to defeat ourselves. The crown all can wearCovenant and Conversation for Pinchas.Not reckoned among the nationsAncient Israel was founded on a creed, and was, as a result, a nation with the soul of a religion. Reflections on the legacy of the Lubavitcher RebbeRemembering Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Arguments for the Sake of Heaven: KorachFor the one and only time in his life, Moses staked his leadership on the occurrence of a miracle.Fear of freedomShelach Lecha: The spies did not doubt that Israel could win its battles with the inhabitants of the land. Their concern was not physical.Behaalotcha: Camp and CongregationNo Jew, to paraphrase John Donne, is an island, entire of him- or herself. We are joined by the gossamer strands of collective memory, and these can sometimes lead us back to a sense of shared destiny.Sages and saintsWhich is preferable? Bamidbar (Israel): Leading a nation of IndividualsHowever large the group you lead, you must always communicate the value you place on everyone. How to count the Jews. Bechukotai (Israel): The birth of hopeOnly hope empowers us to take risks, engage in long-term projects, marry and have children, and refuse to capitulate in the face of despair. Three versions of ShabbatShabbat was the day made holy by God Himself at the beginning of time.Acharei Mot - Diaspora; Kedoshim - IsraelDue to the 8th day of Passover observed only out of Israel, and on which there is a special Torah reading (while Israel alone read the regular weekly portion), the readings in Israel are not in sync with the Diaspora for a few weeks. Your choice. A prayer for Yom HaShoahBelow is a prayer for Yom HaShoah, composed by Rabbi Sacks. Yom HaShoah begins at sundown on Wednesday 1st May. Make your time count! Omer calendar 5779Download the Omer calendar 5779, accompanied by life-changing ideas. The Omer is counted daily from the second night of Passover until Shavuot, 49 days later. The power of speechWhat made Judaism different is that it is supremely a religion of holy words, not power. The sacrifices of childbirthBirth, like death, is a signal of mortality, Between hope and humanityJews are a people who have had more than their share of suffering. Like Aaron, they did not lose their humanity. They did not allow their sense of grief to be dulled, deadened, desensitised. But neither did they lose their capacity to hope.Destructive & Self-DestructiveWhat is so wrong about eating blood? Maimonides and Nahmanides offer conflicting interpretations. Vayikra: The pursuit of meaningWe are here because God wanted us to be, because there is a task He wants us to perform. The search for meaning is the quest for this task. On Jewish Character: PekudeiJews may not always make the right choices in what they give to, but they give.The beauty of holiness or the holiness of beautyCovenant & Conversation for Vayakhel.A stiff-necked peopleCovenant and conversation for Ki Tisa.Terumah: A portable homeCovenant & Conversation - thoughts on the weekly Torah reading. The Stewardship Paradigm – A thought for Tu BishvatWe do not own nature – “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 24:1) We are its stewards on behalf of God, who created and owns everything. As guardians of the earth, we are duty-bound to respect its integrity. The future of the pastCovenant and Conversation for Vayechi. The light of JudaismA short shiur on Hanukkah. |
