Sermon Archives

Nitzavim 5783 | Rabbi David Wolkenfeld

01/26/2024 10:25:39 AM

Jan26

Today

When David Ben Gurion made his first state visit to the United States as prime minister of Israel he gave a speech about the power of Jewish memory. How many Americans, he asked, know what day the Mayflower set sail for North America? How many Americans know what food was eaten on the Mayflower? And yet, every Jewish child knows precisely what day our...Read more...

Ekev 5783 | Rabbi David Wolkenfeld

08/09/2023 01:25:03 PM

Aug9

Underfoot Mitzvot

If you were approached without warning and asked to name “the most important mitzvah” what would you answer?

This morning I want to suggest that the most important mitzvah is the one you do not yet observe.

There are many ways to classify mitzvot. There are commands and prohibitions. There are time-bound mitzvot which can only be...Read more...

Va’etchanan 5783 | Rabbi David Wolkenfeld

08/09/2023 01:19:06 PM

Aug9

That is Your Wisdom and Understanding

This week was my first “holiday” week at Ohev Sholom. Because the “holiday” in question was Tisha b’Av, I didn’t have to worry about cooking a big holiday meal, but preparing for Tisha b’Av was stll a major focus of the week. And, in the midst of my preparations for Tisha b’Av, I had stolen pockets of time to worry about...Read more...

Matot Ma’asei 5783 | Rabbi David Wolkenfeld

07/17/2023 09:32:52 AM

Jul17

Finding Equilibrium

One of the techniques used by television writers to build excitement as a TV series reaches its grand finale is to bring back characters from earlier episodes for cameo appearances in the final episode. This resolves plot lines, brings closure to narrative arcs, and rewards the loyalty of viewers who can appreciate seeing a character from the first episode on screen...Read more...

Hukat - Balak 5783 | Rabbi David Wolkenfeld

07/03/2023 05:07:16 PM

Jul3

Transitions

One of my favorite rabbinic jokes is particularly appropriate for a Shabbat such as this one. I first shared it publicly ten years ago, I shared it again a few weeks ago, and I’m going to share it here this morning:

There was once a new rabbi who, in the excitement and business of moving to a new community, somehow managed to show up on his first Shabbat...Read more...

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