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18 Tevet 5781 The Mishnah (Pirkei Avot 3: 1) quotes Akavia ben Mehalalel: “Consider three things, and you will not sin. You must know where you come from, where you are going and to whom you will eventually be accountable for everything you have done”. As I read this portion from Pirkei Avot, I realized […]
11 Tevet 5781 And Yehudah Approached “And he drew near or then he drew near” This parashah should be about Yehudah, after all, it begins with Vayigash eilaiv Yehudah יגש אליו יהודה – Yehudah draws near to Joseph. In a way, it teaches us to VAYIGASH – draw near – to Adonai Elohim. We are not perfect; we […]
26 Kislev 5781 This week’s Parashah, Vayeshev tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. We can only try to imagine what the life of Jacob was like as an elderly father with twelve grown children from different mothers and each with personalities of their own. I wonder how Jacob (and the mothers, of course) […]
This parashah in the Torah, Vayishlach reminds us of our humanity – of our fears, desires, aspirations, dreams, our internal struggle and our social condition. But the most beautiful thing about it, is that it teaches us how to overcome our adversities, how to become better people, better parents, better children, better siblings and that […]
The Portal To Heaven 12 Kislev 5781 By Rabino Iosef Chemi Today we are going to look at Parashat Vayetze. I want to read Bereshit, Genesis chapter 28 pasuk, verse 17 יִּירָא, וַיֹּאמַר, מַה-נּוֹרָא, הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה: אֵין זֶה, כִּי אִם-בֵּית אֱלֹהִים, וְזֶה, שַׁעַר הַשָּׁמָיִם. “And he was afraid and said: ‘How awesome is this place! this is none […]
The History of our people 5 Kislev 5781 This parashah speaks about the toledot (history) of Isaac, Esau and Jacob, but there are other Toledot: Toledot Adam (Bereshit 5:1-6:8); toledot Noah (Bereshit 6:9-9:20) Toledot Shem, Ham, Japheth (Bereshit 10:1-11:9); Toledot Shem (Bereshit 11;10-26); toledot Terah (Bereshit 11:27- 32); Toledot Ishmael (Bereshit 25:12-18); Toledot Isaac Bereshit 25:19-35:29; […]
“And If Not NOW, When?” 27 Cheshvan 5781 Bereshit (Génesis) 23 :1 – 25 :18 This week’s Parashah Chayei Sarah begins by telling us about the life of a woman who died. What an immense paradox. However, we can say that by the events narrated here, this parashah speaks of Sarah’s life. She died at […]
What are We Sowing? Cheshvan 20, 5781 This Parashah, Vayera וַיֵּרָא “and He appeared”, like all the portions of the Torah, tells us stories to help us have a better life. As human beings, we tend to put God in a box according to our understanding and our preconceptions. How often have we heard the […]
Who was Abram? Who am I? Shalom Community Shear Yashuv. Shabbat Shalom to everyone (from Rabbi Iosef Chemi from Argentina) It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be able to speak to you about Lech Lecha, a truly beautiful parashah. Bereshit 17: 1 says: “Vayehi Avram ben tish’im shanah v’tesha shanim; Vayera Adonai […]
God Exists simply because He Exists 29 Tishrei 5781 Last week we celebrated Simchat Torah… one of the most joyous holidays on our calendar but this year we were not able to enjoy it in person as a congregation when we traditionally dance with the Torah scrolls for the joy that it represents for us […]
