Recording from Shabbat Services, June 15, 2019 D’var from Saturday, June 15, 2019 – Rabbi David Kosak *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings
Two thousand years ago, the Great Library of Alexandria caught fire. When the flames went out, scattered ash was all that remained of its countless scrolls of history, philosophy, science and culture. While the facts of who caused the fire are unclear, it seems reasonable to imagine that up to a half million books or so disappeared from the human record. We can’t ever know what was lost.
When you work hard and take your obligations seriously, maybe self-care isn’t as high a priority as it should be. The reality is, however, that when we’re sick, have a fever, and are run down, the best thing we can do for ourselves and others is stay home and rest, away from large groups of people.
Parshat Naso, the Torah portion we read this week, echoes this sentiment.
Recording from Shabbat Services, June 8, 2019 D’var from Saturday, June 8, 2019 – Gail Sherman *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings
Recording from Shabbat Services, June 7, 2019 D’var from Friday, June 7, 2019 – Rabbi David Kosak *If you would like to download the recording and listen later, right click on the link then click “Save as” and it will save onto your computer for later listening. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus. Click here for an archive of past recordings
Though we may not be close in proximity all the time, we are a part of a crowd, whether that crowd is the local Jewish community or people gathered around their televisions to watch a series finale. As we learn from the Torah portion this week, it’s not the size of the crowd, but how it supports one another that keeps it thriving and moving.
This weekend, Jews around the world will be celebrating matan Torah, the giving of the Torah, which is commemorated on Shavuot, one of our three pilgrimage festivals. According to tradition, everyone was present—women, men and children.
