Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 05 Jul 2012 /
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Hi, Happy Chanukah! What better time could there be to get back to the Torah Minute? After all, Torah is what Chanukah is all about. … We’ve all heard the story. The Greeks tried to destroy Judaism. And impose Greek culture on the Jews. Torah scrolls were burned. And Torah study became a capital offense. […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 25 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. The new Egyptian king sees the Jews as a threat and enslaves them. (Exodus, 1:8-2:10) He orders the Jewish midwives to kill every newborn Jewish boy. But the midwives “feared G-d” and defied the order. They kept the boys alive. So Pharaoh issued a new decree. To his […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 25 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, Hope all is well. … Genesis ends with the death of Jacob. He had come to Egypt with his family to be reunited with Joseph. When Jacob died? Joseph’s brothers were petrified. (Genesis, 50) “Now that Dad is gone, Joseph may take his revenge. Finally even the score.” Joseph’s response? “Don’t worry. You meant […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 25 Jun 2012 /
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Hi, I hope you had a meaningful Yom Kippur. …The Holidays are over? Right? Wrong! The Holiday of Succot starts Wednesday night. I think it’s sad that almost everyone “does Yom Kippur.” But many don’t know about Succot. They did the fasting and the praying. But won’t do the celebration. Succot is called, “the time […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 30 May 2012 /
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Hi, … The blessing of the children. It’s one of the most beautiful customs at the Shabbat Friday night meal. It sends a very important message to the child. Because we can imagine how a child might feel at a festive meal. With all those adults! Talking about “adult stuff”! And there may be important […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 30 May 2012 /
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Hi, Joseph was a very handsome man. (Genesis, 39) And his master’s wife tried to seduce him. Again and again. Every day. And Joseph resisted. One day, they were alone in the house, and she grabbed Joseph by his garment. Joseph left his garment in her hand and ran out! Then she accused Joseph of […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 08 May 2012 /
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Hi, Thanks again for letting me share my mother’s story. And thanks to all that took the time to tell me that they were inspired. Especially those that said kind things about me. My Mom would actually believe it! … This Monday night and Tuesday is the ninth day of the Jewish month Av. The […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 08 May 2012 /
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Hi, Please allow a personal note for the second time. The first was a tribute to my Dad on the anniversary of his passing. His “yartzeit.” Today is a tribute to my Mom on her yartzeit. … You may remember that my Dad did not come from an observant background. And what happened? He met […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 May 2012 /
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Hi, Sorry about Friday. I finally found a computer that is working! … Leah. Together with Rachel, the mother of the Jewish People. Her fourth son was Judah. … “I will gratefully thank G-d.” “ And she called his name Judah.” (Genesis, 29:35) As we have seen, Judah means to thank. And in Jewish tradition, […]
Posted by rabbi.deutsch on 07 May 2012 /
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Hi, Here are some thoughts about Rachel. One of the four Matriarchs. The spiritual mothers of the Jewish people. Together with Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. Her story is sad. For many years she had no children. Finally, she gives birth to Joseph. (Genesis, 30:22) And then to Benjamin. But she dies in childbirth. (35:16-20) … […]