THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Balak – פרשת בלק July 20, 2019 – יז תמוז תשעט This essay is sponsored by Janet & Gary Waller in memory of Meyer Pessin Z”L, and by Suzy Levin in memory of Yehonatan ben Yosef David v’Shira Z”L. Clinging to Idolatry
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Shelach – פרשת שלח June 29, 2019 This essay is sponsored by Joanne Wiesner-Steiner in memory of her mother, Marion Wiesner (Miriam Reyzl bat Tzvi Hirsh Z”L). ADAPTING JUDAISM TO THE REALITY OF JEWISH LIFE The Torah requires that native...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Beha’alotekha – פרשת בהעלתך June 22, 2019 – יט סיון תשעט Your Joyous Occasions Scripture issues instructions for the use of two silver trumpets for administrative, military, and cultic functions. The precise dates on which trumpets were...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Naso – פרשת נשא June 15, 2019 – יב סיון תשעט This essay is dedicated in honor of Warren Graham, with prayers for his good health. Bitter Sotah Waters Scripture sets forth a protocol for determining whether a suspected adulteress, or...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Behukotai – פרשת בחקתי June 1, 2019 – כז אייר תשעט Dwelling Securely in the Diaspora After setting forth the laws relating to the sabbatical year and the jubilee, Scripture issues a Divine promise: “You shall observe My laws and...
THOUGHTS ON LAG BA’OMER Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Lag Ba’Omer 5779 This essay is dedicated in memory of Herman Wouk, founder of the Great Neck Synagogue. The Origins of Lag Ba’Omer In my recent essay “The Origins of Sefirah Mourning Practices,” I intentionally avoided the subject of Lag Ba’Omer...