THOUGHTS ON SHAVUOT Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Shavuot 5778 This essay is dedicated in memory of Dr. Aaron Levin Z”L. The Book of Ruth begins with a departure by a Judahite family from its hometown of Bethlehem to the fields of Moab. Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion left the
Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Behar-Behukotai – פרשת בהר-בחקתי May 12, 2018 – כז אייר תשעח This essay is dedicated in memory of Arthur Markowitz Z”L. Confessing the Sins of Earlier Generations Leviticus 26, the Execration, is a stern warning about the horrible travails that will befall Israel...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Acharei-Kedoshim – פרשת אחרי-קדושים April 28, 2018 – יג אייר תשעח This essay is dedicated in memory of Michael Strauss Z”L. Speaking Ill of One’s People The Scriptural admonishment לא תלך רכיל בעמך (Leviticus 19:16) has been variously...
THOUGHTS ON THE PARASHAH Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com Parshat Tazria-Metzora – פרשת תזריע-מצורע April 21, 2018 – ו אייר תשעח Isolating the Niddah The Laws of Niddah are among the most complex and burdensome aspects of contemporary Jewish observance. In an earlier essay, “Dam Tohar: The Forgotten...
Parshat Shemini – פרשת שמיני April 14, 2018 – כט ניסן תשעח Havdalah Scripture sets forth guidelines for determining the suitability for consumption of various animals, birds, insects, and fish. The chapter concludes “These are the instructions… for distinguishing between the unclean and the clean, between the living things that may be...
THOUGHTS ON SONG OF SONGS Rabbi Evan Hoffman – Congregation Anshe Sholom evanhoffman@gmail.com April 4, 2018 – יט ניסן תשעח This essay is sponsored by Honey & Sol Neier and Claire & Sam Krumper in memory of Jack Levine Z”L. Full of Mitzvoth Customarily, Song of Songs is chanted in the synagogue on the Intermediate