We too are capable of an awakening
01/14/2022 02:32:18 PM
ט”ו בשבט הגיע - Tu Bishvat has arrived! It is hard for us to imagine here in cold and windy New England that in Israel, the land of eternal promise, the almond trees are blossoming - השקדיה פורחת. From the holy soil of Israel, nature’s annual awakening beckons to us. This past week, I began to teach Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto’s Mesillat Yesharim - The Path of the Upright, a classic of Mussar ...Read more...
President and Rabbi's Message
01/07/2022 10:30:01 AM
This week’s parasha showcases Hashem’s supernatural powers in bringing the final three plagues on Egypt. And in the face of plague after plague after plague, Pharaoh appears quite resilient, which I can appreciate seeing our own society struggle with one prominent plague. Yet, unlike Pharaoh, we are not resilient by hardening our own hearts. To the contrary, Shaarei members are continuing to learn Torah, to build community, to attend Shul...Read more...
Upcoming CST-Ma'ayan Classes with Rabbi Samuels
01/04/2022 01:40:51 PM
Rabbi Samuels will be teaching two Zoom courses this spring with Ma'ayan! Check it out.
The Life and Afterlife of a Musar Masterpiece Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato's Mesilat Yesharim
5 Wednesdays from 7:45pm-8:45pm
January 12, 19, 26 & February 2, 9
In the...Read more...
Rabbi's Message, Parshat Vaera
12/31/2021 10:24:52 AM
Imagine living during the ten plagues of our parashah. First, imagine you are a slave - a member of B’nei Yisrael. Next, imagine you are an Egyptian, one of the regular population without power or influence. Then, imagine you are a member of the Egyptian aristocracy. Let’s stipulate that you recognize the moral bankruptcy of your Pharaoh's kingdom, but you have everything to lose from radical social change. Now, take those...Read more...
Rabbi's Message, Parshat Vayechi
12/17/2021 09:15:50 AM
Once again, this year, on Shabbat Parshat Vayechi, we join with 500 other Orthodox synagogues across the country for TEAM Shabbat, sponsored by the National Association of Chevra Kadishas (NASCK). TEAM stands for “traditional end-of-life awareness.” This week’s parashah closes Sefer Bereishit with the passing of Yaakov Avinu, and later Yosef, concluding the patriarchal and matriarchal narratives and setting the...Read more...
Rabbi's Message, Parshat Vayigash
12/10/2021 12:11:04 PM
The weight of words… Many begin their study of this week’s parashah focusing on action: “Vayigash Eilav Yehudah - And Judah approached (Gen 44:18).” Judah assumes responsibility, steps forward, and argues the brothers’ case to the viceroy of Egypt, who unbeknownst to them is none other than their long-lost sibling Joseph. Judah acts and exercises leadership.
Action is key, but I am stuck on words. Seventeen verses into...Read more...
Rabbi's Message, Parshat Miketz
12/03/2021 11:10:28 AM
There is a curious halakhah regarding the placement of the Chanukah Menorah. The Talmud (TB Shabbat 21b; Sh”A O”C 671:6) says that it should be placed above 3 tefachim - handbreaths, but beneath 10 tefachim, from the ground (~between 12” and 36-40”). Why is the best practice to place the Chanukiah so low when the intent is to broadly publicize the miracle of Chanukah? The Talmud (TB Sukkah 5a ff.) teaches another curious theological...Read more...
Rabbi's Message, Parshat Vayeshev
11/26/2021 09:16:43 AM
Many traditional Jewish Americans - whether descendents of early Sephardic Jewish arrivals, or 19th century immigrants from Western Europe, or the influx of Eastern European Jews in the first half of the 20th century, or the many nationalities of later Jewish immigrants - have fully embraced the American Holiday of Thanksgiving. Rabbi Solovietchik zt”l was known to end his Talmud shiur at Yeshiva University early (Torah never...Read more...
Rabbi's Message, Shabbat Vayishlach
11/19/2021 10:43:35 AM
The story is told that once when a principal of a day school went to consult with his Rosh Yeshiva about expelling a student, the great rabbi surprised him by asking: "What is the name of the student's mother?"
The bewildered principal asked: "Why is that important?"
The Rav answered: "Are telling me that you are considering expelling a student, but you have not yet davened for him?!"
In this week’s parashah, Yaakov...Read more...
Shabbat Youth Programming Expectations
11/18/2021 05:19:26 PM
We are transitioning to a more structured, religiously interactive, and engaging ShabbRead more...
Rabbi's Message, Shabbat Vayetzei
11/12/2021 12:25:41 PM
This week, we began our in-person, after-school, Teen Torah study with Rabbi Samuels for Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers who attend public school. It was wonderful to once again hear in a Torah class in our Shul building with tween and teen voices laughing and sharing insightful comments and opinions. Our Middle School class will study Jewish Leadership Models this Fall/Winter, beginning with Avraham Avinu. We are...Read more...
Participate in Shabbat Eat & Meet, October 26
10/21/2021 11:28:10 AM
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Next Monday: Literacy Program Outreach Meeting, 8:15pm
10/19/2021 08:25:10 AM
Congregation Shaarei Tefillah
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Rabbi's Message, Shabbat Lech Lecha
10/18/2021 03:22:52 PM
This week, I started teaching two Talmud classes on Property Law. One might wonder, why is property law considered a sacred Torah study? In last week’s parashah, Parshat Noach, the Torah tells two stories: the Mabbul - the world-destroying flood and the Tower of Babel. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a, see also Rashi to Gen 11:9) asks why did God destroy the world in one instance, and scatter the population in the other? In the second story...Read more...