Sunday, January 25th 2026 |
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
“Strength and Honor” – in Latin, “Virtus et Honos” – was a slogan of the Roman Empire, and appeared on its coinage, depicting two Roman deities by those names, often venerated together. The phrase “Strength...
By RABBI JOSEPH H,. PROUSER
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews in Nazi-occupied Hungary during the Holocaust. While precise numbers are impossible to verify, Yad Vashem asserts that Wallenberg saved 4500 Jews. Others insist the...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
It was on this date, January 9, 1908 that the Muir Woods National Monument was established in Marin County, California. Named for naturalist, botanist, author, Sierra Club co-founder, and philosopher John Muir (1838-1914) – celebrated...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
While the Hebrew word perek is commonly used to signify “chapter,” the same root (peh-resh-kuf) carries the meaning of “redemption.” Thus, using that verb root, Psalm 136 (“Hodu”) praises God: (va-yifrekeinu mi-tzareinu) – “Who redeems...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
In Parshat Vayigash, read this Shabbat, Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers, after having falsely accused them of spying on Egypt.
Today, December 26, is the 101st anniversary of the birth of Israel’s...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Chanukah has long been intimately connected to the history of Jewish martyrdom. It is understandable that this dark and gloomy side of the “Festival of Lights” has been de-emphasized in favor of the luminous miracles...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
While no independent tractate is devoted to Chanukah, an extended Talmudic passage, beginning on Shabbat 21a, discusses “The Festival of Lights” at some length… addressing four basic questions:
If the Chanukah lights/candles are extinguished, must...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The approaching holiday of Chanukah will be celebrated by the nightly kindling of candles on the Menorah. This observance enjoys an extraordinary hold on the imagination and devotion of even those individuals and households with...
By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The Ketubah – the marriage “contract” – is customarily read aloud (in part or in its entirety) during the Jewish wedding ceremony, generally separating between the “Eirusin” (betrothal) blessings and the seven blessings of “Nissuin”...
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...
