Larry Green Pain hurts, but pain serves a purpose. Were it not for the sensation of pain, we would not pull our hand off a hot stove and thereby avoid the consequences of a severe burn. Were it not for the sensation of pain, we would not know that something is wrong with our bodies …
Rabbi Daniel Schaefer On Yom Kippur afternoon, we list the names of our Jewish martyrs who died for the sanctification of God’s name, al kiddush hashem. Often known as the Martyrology, the service is named after the medieval poem Eileh Ezkira, which describes the ten rabbis who were martyred by the Roman empire in the …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman May 31, 2020/8 Sivan 5780 Shavua tov. As the new week begins, Jews around the world are coming out of the holy time of Shabbat and Shavuot (observed for two days in much of the Jewish world). We return to a world deeply in need of healing, both from the pandemic …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman In this week’s Torah portion, Naso, we find the most ancient words of blessing known to us. The Priestly Blessing echoes through millenia (from at least the 7th century BCE). It is incredible to imagine that these words have been said, chanted, or sung for so many generations, in so many …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman This Shabbat, we begin the book of Numbers, Bamidbar. Bamidbar means “in the wilderness.” Here we resume the narrative of the long sojourn through the midbar– a narrative which began in the book of Exodus and then was interrupted by the book of Leviticus, filled with rules and regulations to guide …
Dear TOS Community, We want to update you on our thoughts and plans in light of Governor Baker’s announcement yesterday which loosened some restrictions on gatherings including at houses of worship. We, along with leaders of congregations across the Commonwealth, do not believe that it is safe or advisable to resume in person services at …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman Shabbat Shalom! I look forward to being with you for services this evening. Shabbat has been such a welcome anchor in time during this strange and amorphous time. Many of us feel adrift in a sea of days strung together without the boundaries of our commute to work, or our kids …
David Sparr, Music Director The verses of the Psalms have been a primary source of lyrics for religious composers throughout history. Since King David is the Bible’s most famous musician, and is said to be the author of most of the Psalms (although modern biblical scholars dispute this), it makes sense to assume that Psalms …
Dear Friend, We hope this finds you and your families well and that you are continuing to find ways to cope in these challenging times. The past few weeks have been overwhelming for us all, and in this time of anxiety and uncertainty, we are glad many have been able to find comfort in our …
