Valentine’s Day, is tomorrow. As most of you know, there is nothing Jewish about Valentine’s Day. The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 CE. One legend teaches that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in [...]
Archive for the ‘Ramat Shalom’ Category
The Jewish Valentine’s Day!?!?!?!
Posted in Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged jewish, Tu B'Av, Valentine's Day on February 13, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
PODCAST: IRAN – IT IS TIME TO GO FORWARD!!!
Posted in In the news, Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Iran on February 11, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
In this podcast, I discuss the situation with Iran, comparing it to the moment our ancestors stood at the Red Sea – before it parted – with Pharaoh’s army quickly advancing upon them. G-d told the Jewish people to go forward! G-d is not going to part this sea for us this time. It is [...]
Light in Darkness
Posted in Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, Spirituality, Torah Study on January 27, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
This week, we read about the last three plagues to strike Egypt before our ancestors escaped the tyranny of Pharaoh. The ninth plague, was the plague of darkness. ”There was thick darkness over the entire land of Egypt for three days. No man could see his brother, nor could any person even rise from his [...]
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 »
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 [...]
Jews Wrestle With G-d
Posted in Podcast, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom on December 11, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Podcast of my sermon given on 12/9/11. Whereas Muslims are obligated to submit to Allah and Christians must have faith in Jesus, Jews are expected to wrestle with G-d. This both challenging and extremely rewarding. Listen here: Jews Wrestle With G-d
Are You A Talebearer?
Posted in Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, Torah Study, tagged evil tongue, gossip, l'shon hara, talebearer, talebearing on December 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Have you ever heard something about someone and believed it – only later to realize that what you were led to believe was totally wrong? Certainly all of us have been in this situation. This is why Judaism vehemently prohibits all forms of gossip and what we call l’shon hara (evil speech). “Gossiping” in Judaism [...]
The Power of Sleep
Posted in Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, Uncategorized, tagged Jacob's ladder, sleep on December 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Last night’s sermon in podcast form. Enjoy and get some sleep! The Power of Sleep
A Good Old Age
Posted in Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged getting old, Judaism, meaingful life, old age, Torah on November 18, 2011 | 1 Comment »
In this week’s Torah portion, we read about the deaths of Abraham and Sarah. “Abraham was old, well advanced in years, and God had blessed Abraham with everything…Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people” “Sarah lived [...]
Learning From The Mistakes of Others
Posted in In the news, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Netanyahu, Penn State, Sarkozy on November 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
This week, we learned important moral lessons from national and international leaders. Unfortunately, we learned these lessons because of mistakes made by these leaders. Nonetheless, the lssons are ones we must all take to heart. A private conversation between President Obama and French President Sarkozy in which the two leaders made disparaging comments about Israeli [...]
A Rediscovered Abundance of Goodness – Dr. Daniel Gordis
Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged Daniel Gordis on November 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
I share with you the latest article by Dr. Daniel Gordis, a powerful peace about what he discovered as a result of Gilad Shalit’s release. A Rediscovered Abundance of Goodness Daniel Gordis Mr. Prime Minister, Before the Shalit deal fades entirely from view, many of us are hoping that you have noticed what you unwittingly [...]
