I admit it – I have a bad habit of destroying the Chanukah story for folks this time of year – telling them that the miraculous oil story is just a legend. This legend was developed by the rabbis in an attempt to downplay the real story of Chanukah that centers around the war the [...]
Archive for the ‘Jewish Holidays’ Category
The REAL Miracle of Chanukah
Posted in Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukah, Hanukkah, Maccabees, oil, real story on December 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
The Sound of the Shofar
Posted in Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Rosh HaShanah, shofar, yom kippur on September 12, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
It is the custom to blow the shofar during the month of Elul which began at the end of August. We do this, we are taught, to awaken our soul before we begin a new year. The Call of the Shofar Once upon a time, many years ago, in the faraway country of Russia, there [...]
Words of Caution, Words of Wisdom this Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Posted in Israel, Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Gordis, Yom Ha'Atzmaut on May 8, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Rabbi Daniel Gordis’ words are extremely powerful and appropriate this week as we mark Israel’s 63rd birthday. Please take the time to read this article.
Some Passover Fun!
Posted in Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom on April 22, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Click here for a great clip – “Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old – Passover Dilemma”
Seder Talking Points
Posted in Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom on April 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Seder Talking Points: Seven Secrets of Passover, Bruce Feiler – as discussed Friday night
Freedom Is Dangerous
Posted in In the news, Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom on April 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Monday night, Pesah begins and we celebrate freedom! Freedom from Egypt, from slavery, from Pharaoh. Freedom to journey to Israel. Freedom to embrace Judaism. Freedom to make your own choices….Kind of. Albert Camus wrote: “Freedom is dangerous; it is as difficult as it is exasperating.” We simply need to turn to the turmoil in modern [...]
Judaism and Valentine’s Day
Posted in American Judaism, Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Valentine's Day on February 14, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
While Valentine’s Day is not a Jewish holiday – Jews can and should tell those they love how they feel on this day and every day! And, did you know, Judaism has its own Valentine’s Day? Check it out: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Tu_BAv.shtml
Living On God’s Schedule – Sukkot and Control Freaks
Posted in Jewish Holidays, Personal Growth, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged sukkot on September 25, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Sukkot is known as Z’man Simchateinu – the time of our great joy. A time to move away from the heavy prayers, guilt and repentance associated with Yom Kippur and move outdoors – into our Sukkot where we are surrounded by nature and all things beautiful – all creations of God. We are urged to [...]
Yom Kippur 5771: Reclaiming Our Right To Be Tough, Strong Jews
Posted in American Judaism, In the news, Islamic Extremism, Israel, Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, tagged Jewish resistance, Jews, Jews standing up for themselves, Max Nordau, muskeljuden, strong, tough on September 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
As I mentioned yesterday, the Imam behind the Ground Zero mosque claims to be afraid to move the location of the mosque. He is afraid that the radical Muslim world will be outraged and react with anger, or worse, violence. When the pastor up in Gainesville threatened to burn the Koran last week, powerful US [...]
Kol Nidre 5771: Legal Right vs. Moral Responsibility – The Ground Zero Mosque
Posted in In the news, Islamic Extremism, Jewish Holidays, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, tagged Cordoba House, Ground Zero Mosque. Imam Rauf on September 19, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Tonight, many of us owe someone an apology for doing something we had the right to do – or for saying something we had the right to say. Despite the fact that we had the right to say what we said or do what we did – our words or our actions were irresponsible. For [...]
