Monday, November 24th 2025 |
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
This Wednesday, 6 Kislev, is the 52nd Yahrzeit of David Ben-Gurion (born David Grün in 1886). The leading founder of the State of Israel, he later served as its Minister of Defense and first Prime...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The month of Cheshvan is drawing to a close. This Shabbat, we will offer an elaborate blessing in anticipation of Rosh Chodesh Kislev (in which we will celebrate Chanukah). Of all the months of the...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Parshat Vayera, read this Shabbat, always presents me with special challenges as a congregational Torah Reader. I am thoroughly familiar with the text of the Torah Portion. Chapters 21-22, however, are chanted on Rosh Hashanah...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Rabbi Akiva would distribute roasted grains and nuts to children on Passover eve, so that they would not fall sleep too early, and so they would ask good questions and remain actively engaged in the...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The Jewish world, together with our true friends, united last week in celebrating the return of the last twenty living hostages to Israel, after two full years of Hamas captivity, abuse, and deprivation in Gaza....
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The Sages explore how each aspect of the Temple cult and priestly ritual was directed at securing atonement for specific sins. For the sin of Lashon Ha-Ra – gossip and derogation of another – forgiveness...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Actor Christopher Reeve, who portrayed Superman, died on this date, October 10, 2004. Today, the fourth day of Sukkot, we customarily invite Moses into our Sukkah when we recite Ushpizin.
“The Man of Steel” and...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Mishna Yoma includes detailed records of the ritual of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur: his elaborate vestments, prostrations, confessions, and his articulation of God’s (otherwise) ineffable Name.
Yoma 7:4 recalls what happened...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The tractate of Talmud dealing with Yom Kippur is titled “Yoma” – meaning, “The Day.” This signifies the profound importance and sanctity of Yom Kippur. “Yoma” also reflects the principle that “The Day” itself provides...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The final piyyut (liturgical poem) sung on Rosh Hashana morning is, commonly, “Hayom” (“Today”): “Today, give us strength; Today, grant us blessing, etc.”
Reflecting on “today,” may we more fully appreciate the closing message of...
