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TOS Blog

The Spiritual Preparation of Seeing Ourselves: Parashat Re’eh and the New Month of Elul
Posted on August 11, 2023

The Spiritual Preparation of Seeing Ourselves: Parashat Re’eh and the New Month of Elul

August 11, 2023   This Shabbat is a time of turning and transition, as it is the Shabbat preceding the new month of Elul. Elul, the month preceding Rosh Hashanah, is meant to be a time of deep self-reflection as we move toward the new year. In a noisy world, with so much demanding our attention …

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Eyes of Wonder:  A Shabbat Message from Rabbi Berkman
Posted on August 4, 2023

Eyes of Wonder: A Shabbat Message from Rabbi Berkman

August 4, 2023   I write to you this week from Aspen, Colorado, where I am visiting dear friends and having my first experience of the incredible Rocky Mountain landscape. I’ve included a few of my photographs from the trip here, including two taken on a train from Denver to Glenwood Springs, CO. This trip …

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Tisha B’Av to Tu B’Av –  From Lamentation to Celebrating Love
Posted on July 28, 2023

Tisha B’Av to Tu B’Av – From Lamentation to Celebrating Love

July 28, 2023   From Wednesday evening until last night after 9pm, Jews around the world read Eicha, the Book of Lamentations and observed the fast of Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of the month of Av. This day commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in ancient Jerusalem, and is the date to which is …

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Reflections on Jerusalem: A Shabbat Message from Rabbi Berkman
Posted on July 21, 2023

Reflections on Jerusalem: A Shabbat Message from Rabbi Berkman

July 21, 2023   As we enter into Shabbat this week, I am reflecting on the themes of Tisha b’Av, which falls next week on Wednesday evening through Thursday. Because this day is one of mourning the destruction of the ancient temple in Jerusalem, I am particularly thinking about my recent experience living and learning in …

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Summertime Sadness: Bein ha-Metzarim
Posted on July 14, 2023

Summertime Sadness: Bein ha-Metzarim

July 14, 2023   Summertime in the Western imagination is characterized by #positivevibes: cook-outs, lounging by the pool or on the beach, free time to travel and have new adventures! But summertime sadness (in addition to the 2012 Lana Del Rey hit) is a real thing. Not only is there a less-common iteration of Seasonal Affective Disorder …

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Putting “Success” in Succession
Posted on July 7, 2023

Putting “Success” in Succession

July 7, 2023   Time flies, eh? This week marks the start of the 5th year of my rabbinate, and one year of service to the Temple Ohabei Shalom community. Hooray!  Much like the Israelites’ journey up to this point, the past year has been filled with challenges and opportunities, so much to learn, and …

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The Blessing of Perspective: A Shabbat Message for Parashat Balak
Posted on June 30, 2023

The Blessing of Perspective: A Shabbat Message for Parashat Balak

June 30, 2023   This week in Torah (a double Torah portion of Chukat-Balak) we find our Israelite ancestors in the final leg of their 40 year wilderness journey – at the threshold of the Promised Land. There are still obstacles to overcome and battles to fight, but the end of this treacherous journey is in …

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Korach:  Dissent = “Dechurching”?  Not in our house.
Posted on June 23, 2023

Korach: Dissent = “Dechurching”? Not in our house.

June 23, 2023   “NO WAY!” This was the response I got while working with a Bar Mitzvah student on his d’var Torah for this weeks’ portion, Parshat Korach, when he realized just how wild this story is…  Here’s the short version: Korach, a cousin of Moses and Aaron, essentially attempts an insurrection, claiming that he and …

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Expanding our Perspective: Wisdom for Pride Month from Parashat Sh’lach L’cha
Posted on June 16, 2023

Expanding our Perspective: Wisdom for Pride Month from Parashat Sh’lach L’cha

June 16, 2023 This week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach L’cha, gives us the story of the 12 spies sent by Moses at God’s command to scout out the promised land. Ten of them return with a report based on fear and lack of self-confidence. Though it is a beautiful land flowing with milk and honey, they …

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