By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Whenever I officiate at a wedding – always a joy – I share a teaching attributed to the Baal Shem Tov. The founder of Chassidism taught that from every human being there emanates a supernal light. When a couple destined and well-suited for each other...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
It is customary, when beginning a meal by reciting Ha-Motzi, to dip the bread in salt. We are reminded thereby that our homes are temples, our tables altars of God, subject to the Torah’s command: “You shall season your every meal offering with salt; you...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
In closing, the Declaration of Independence invokes “the Supreme Judge of the World” – reprising Abraham’s plea before God: “Will the Judge of all the World not do justice?!” (Genesis 18:25). Liturgical images of God as Judge include the High Holy Day prayer, l’El Orech...
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By RABBI JOSEPH PROUSER
In certain games of chance, the number seven is considered particularly lucky. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the number seven is a recurring feature. God rests on the seventh day, the culmination of creation. Noah brings seven pairs of pure animals onto the Ark. The Menorah at...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
First Lady Barbara Bush said, “I hate that people think ‘compromise’ is a dirty word.” Jewish ritual provides a ready reminder that achieving compromise, thoughtfully accommodating disputants in a debate or disagreement, can be an admirable virtue… in the service of household peace, and communal...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
“Ein ma’avirin al ha-Mitzvot,” the rabbis teach us: “Do not bypass Mitzvot.” We are not to pass up the opportunity to perform a Mitzvah – even momentarily. So, for example, the karpas, the green vegetables which are dipped and consumed at the beginning of the...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
The opening chapter of Genesis introduces us to a theological assertion critical to Jewish morality: human beings are created B’Tzelem Elohim, in the Divine Image. The Torah insists that this Godly imprint is an egalitarian enterprise: “God created humankind in His image, in the image...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
With the celebration of Fathers Day and the onset of summer this week, beach season begins. Among the Mitzvot – the sacred obligations — which a father owes his son is, according to the Sages, to teach him how “to swim in the sea” (Kiddushin...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
As countless youth prepare for Summer camp, we do well to remember the wisdom of Deuteronomy 23:15 – “Let your camp be holy; let God not find anything unseemly among you.” Originally in reference to maintaining sanitary facilities and latrines (!) in a military encampment,...
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By RABBI JOSEPH H. PROUSER
Jewish folklore is replete with tales of the “Golem” – a magical creature (sometimes erratic and tragically lacking in discernment) brought into being from inanimate matter through the mystical offices of leading sages. The 16th century Rabbi Judah Loew of Prague is most famously associated...
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