Blog

We are in the period between the second Passover Seder and Shavuot called Sefirat Ha-Omer, the counting of the Omer. What are we counting, and what is an Omer? An Omer is a dry measure of grain, equivalent in today’s world to 10 dry cups, which is 2 ½ quarts. What is missing during this period is its historical roots. Our three Biblical festivals have ancient, agricultural origins that pre-date Judaism....Read more...

I must begin by offering words of tribute in memory of Pope Francis, who passed away just after Easter. He was a champion of the other, those in society that too often have become recipients of harsh speech and violence. He modeled what God expects of us. I had the privilege of being invited to and attending Mass on Monday evening at Saint Paul Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Bishop Zubik spoke...Read more...

We will spend hours cleaning the house for Passover, shopping for Passover, and cooking for Passover. We will then sit down to a Seder that oft times has not had any preparation time. I’m not including the preparation of the charoset and the other Seder ritual foods. I’m referring to preparing the Seder to be as meaningful as possible. 

The Seder was created to be a...Read more...

This coming Shabbat we read the concluding parasha of the book of Exodus: Pekudei. The construction of all the necessary components to build the mishkan, the portable sanctuary, have been completed and delivered to Moses, as well as all of the appurtenances, and the garb for the High Priest and his retinue have been fabricated. The first thing that Moses does is bless all of those involved in the process....Read more...

It is generally not a good idea to offer two completely different subjects in one blog, but you’ll forgive me this time, as both are competing for attention. The World Zionist Congress was established by Theodore Herzl, z”l, in 1896. His goal was to create an institution that would have a global voice in the furtherance of the reclamation of the Jewish homeland, especially in the aftermath of the Dreyfus Trial. Fast forward to today, and...Read more...