Today is May 4, 2025 -
Today is May 4, 2025 -
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1 Our sages in the talmud strangely inquired: Mai Hanukkah מאי חנוכה —which means, What does this celebration mean? And they avoided giving the Maccabees any limelight. True, they purged the Temple of the foe (the Greeks יונים, mention in the song Mi Yemallel and in the prayer Al HaNisim), but the Rabbis emphasize the Continue Reading »
*buildup* OK, here’s a Jewish joke you might already have heard — and maybe the punchline won’t send you into hysterical orbit — but it really does capture the current moment… *The Joke* What’s the proper bracha for internet shopping? *Hint* Grace After Meals *punchline* ברכת אמזון Birkat Amazon (Rimshot optional) So what does the Continue Reading »
We just entered a new month Cheshvan, חשון( on the Jewish calendar — a month with NO holidays, just Shabbat and the rest of the week). Around the world: an audible exhale from rabbis and cantors who have completed the marathon of Tishrei, the month stuffed with special days, from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur Continue Reading »
Last Monday was Labor Day, one last gift of Summer, an extra day, a last hurrah. Hints of Fall here and there — the bright red lycoris blooming in a few spots downtown at this time along with a touch of cool breeze. The new month of Elul was born this past Shabbat — the Continue Reading »
The custom of reading the Scroll of Ruth on Shavuot — beginning on Saturday night, June 8th — goes back a great many centuries. A Moabite woman was embraced by kindness and love, and she would become King David’s great grandmother. Faith and perseverance and Hope, sweet redemption. Here at shul we’ll bring in Shavuot Continue Reading »
As I type these words it‟s Thursday, the last day of Hol HaMoed, the festival’s ‘in-between’ days. Yesterday I taught my kids at Hebrew School; we learned a song (Adir Hu) found near the end of the Haggadah. I gently reminded students that it’s still Passover, with its regulations regarding leaven — and as I Continue Reading »
It’s a hot topic these days, for good reason. There’s the shooting at the shul in Squirrel Hill, of course.There’s the anti Semitic remarks offered in the halls of Congress. There are the reckless and cynical charges portraying the Democratic Party as anti Jewish. Uncomfortable old truths — lawmakers, celebrities, pundits across the political spectrum Continue Reading »
As I write the words, we’re a month out from Purim — the Shpiel is coming together, the choir is getting ready, a raucous new show is around the corner. I want to take a moment to reflect upon the meaning of the mitzvot associated with Purim. 1) We chant the Megillah; we recount the Continue Reading »
A philosophy professor, a rabbi, and a brewery owner walk into a bar— Old-style joke opener, I know…but seriously folks… Here’s what’s happening. Oh, first I have to give you backstory. Because there’s a backstory. Backstory Charlie Thomas — philosophy professor, bandmate, good friend, frequenter of Jews & Brews as well as Shabbat evening davening Continue Reading »
So —as I type into my phone, my family is about to head up to NY for a winter break. These trips are uncommon for us; last NY trip was quite a ways back. So in a way, these trips also serve as markers, opportunities to reflect a bit. We’ll be spending two shabbatot at Continue Reading »