by HaShomer StaffThe Jewish holiday season is quickly approaching. It is a special time for us, personally and as a nation, to reflect on our lives over the previous year and take account of ourselves, our relationships, and most importantly, our relationship with Adonai. I don’t know about you, but I find it more physically…
Read moreOn the mountain top of the Lord
By Wendy CohenReprinted by permission of the author What follows is a story about American politics, but its message is universal, as it discusses how all of us are required, by God, to handle emotional, mental, and spiritual blackmail. It also provides understanding about how prophecy can be misinterpreted and used incorrectly. I hope you…
Read moreInsights From Ruth
by Rabbi Jeffrey AdlerOne wonderful item shared by so many is the accounting that continuous study of Scripture leads to ever new insights, even after many years of reading the same Biblical text. Such an event occurred with me recently when reading the 4th chapter of Ruth, a text I have read frequently over more…
Read more“Psalm” Choices Are Better Than Others
by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler As Rosh haShanah comes around with its emphasis on repentance, it is well to heed the message of the 1st Psalm. A major factor in character development is the choice or choices of the influences to which we expose ourselves. The 1st Psalm addresses this: “Happy is the one who has…
Read moreLaw And Grace In Eden
by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler God’s creation of Man occurred on the 6th day of Creation. This act of creating Man in His Image capped off the entire creation project, resulting in His assessing all as “tov m’od”, “very good”. Adam was the capstone, God’s best and favorite, the pinnacle of what He had made. (8)…
Read moreAn Inexhaustible Constant
by Rabbi Jeffrey Adler Psalm 115 is the 3rd of the Hallel Psalms, so often associated with the Passover season, but, so appropriate at any time, any circumstance. The Exodus from Egypt followed hundreds of years separated from our promised homeland, from our divinely determined destiny. It culminated in many years of oppression and slavery…
Read moreThe 3 Elements of the Passover Seder
By Rabbi Jeffrey Adler A reading of the Passover Haggadah will bring one to the statement by Rabbi Gamaliel that he who does not make mention of the three elements of the Passover- the lamb, the matzot (unleavened bread), and the bitter herbs- has not done his duty. Gamaliel, traditionally Rabbi Paul’s mentor, was, I’m…
Read moreT’SHUVAH AND MERCY
Download PDF of newsletter here: T’SHUVAH AND MERCY The 30-day month on the Hebrew civil calendar known as “Elul”, kicks off an extremely important season of introspection and t’shuvah (repentance). This season actually lasts 40 days from the first day of Elul and includes Rosh Hashanah, the Days of Awe, and ends with final prayers of…
Read moreHag HaKatzir
Download PDF of newsletter here: HagHaKatzir SHAVUOT, called in the Scriptures Hag Ha-Kat-zir, is one of the “Three Regalim” or pilgrimage feasts requiring all the male descendants of Jacob to return to Jerusalem at that time each year to appear before Adonai in the Temple. Since there is no longer a Temple in Jerusalem, many…
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