As the children of Israel are perched at Egypt’s edge to freedom, we learn that a long made promise was about to be fulfilled. After four hundred years, Joseph’s last request to have his bones returned to the land of Israel is coming to fruition.
I watch what I eat. That’s not to say I’m never tempted. Of course I sometimes cave to my favorites (just about anything with cheese and anything with chocolate), but often it feels like I spend all day trying to be good so that I won’t feel sad later.
It was in my homiletics class. That’s one of the several classes we took in the art of sermonizing and our instructor was the great Rabbi David Wolpe. At one point, he said to us, “I’m a cat rabbi. There are dog rabbis and cat rabbis.” By this he meant that he ran cool and lived at a bit more of a remove.
What advice do you hear most often just before a major life event? “Live in the moment because the memories will last a lifetime.” We spend so much time anticipating the birth of a baby (months of mental preparation, getting the house in order, picking a name, planning the welcoming ceremony), but the moment of the birth itself quickly fades, as do future milestones of childhood.
D'var from Saturday, February 3rd and 4th - Rabbi David Kosak. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus.
Over the last weeks, many people I've spoken with have reported how they are suffering from insomnia, anxiety, depression or feelings of gloom. After the more recent bomb threats against dozens of Jewish community centers across the nation, numerous local Jewish professionals are also experiencing increased fear. I've seen people spontaneously tear up or outright cry.
D'var from Friday, January 27th - Rabbi David Kosak. Recorded and edited by Ed Kraus..
