Congregation Beth Mordecai
Congregation Beth Mordecai
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
May 1, 2015 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat Aharei Mot-K'doshim 2015/5775 (Triennial II) -- "For the Life of the Flesh is in the Blood"
The Torah teaches us that one of the key purposes to sacrifice animals is to limit capital punishment. When the blood of an animal is spilled on an altar, it sufficiently replaces the need to spill the blood of a human being (Leviticus 17:11). Why is animal blood a sufficient replacement for human blood? How does this practice relate to the Christian teaching that the spilling of "the blood of Christ" forgives the sins of humankind? Why does blood represent the life force of a living creature's life force? How do the laws of kashrut honor the notion that "the life of the[...]
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : acharei mot aharei mot blood k'doshim kedoshim life online learning online parashah class
June 13, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh,
Today I had the privilege of traveling to Washington Heights in NYC to attend the bris of my cousin's newborn son. It's always enjoyable to be a part of a simhah and see the joyous faces of my cousin, his wife, and the new grandparents. But it was the reaction from my grandparents who were welcoming their second great grandchild into the family that really made this day special. Their happiness, their joy at being able to reach this occasion of having multiple great-grandchildren was palpable. It reinforced for me the notion that as we get older we become more appreciative of every moment we have and especially of every simhah we enjoy. Life becomes an experience to cherish as the gift that it is. So thank[...]
Category : Ari-archive Tag : gift life mommom poppop rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea shehehiyanu שהחיינו
May 23, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh, Every Shabbat we gather together to sing the joys of life, to share the moments the matter, to offer our prayers on behalf of those who are ill, and to recall the memory of our loved ones. In short, every Shabbat we have an opportunity to appreciate all that is contained within life. Some weeks we are more joyous, some weeks we are more sad, but all weeks are necessary parts of the fabric of life. So whether you are sad, happy, concerned, excited, curious, upset, or all of the emotions in between, join us this Shabbat, at 8 pm tonight and 10 am tomorrow to share these important feelings of life together. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ari Saks P.S. For those[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Shabbat Tag : joy life rabbi rabbi's journal sadness shabbat