Sh’vi-i shel Pesach: Trauma and Transcendence (delivered by Rabbi Sacks on April 29, 2024) Barely had our Israelite ancestors left Egypt, their belongings on their shoulders and the unleavened bread in their pouches, when they found themselves and their children in mortal jeopardy. Before them lay the expanse of the Reed Sea, and behind them […]
ROSH HASHANAH SECOND DAY: T’FILLAH, T’SHUVAH, ACTION! (Torah discussion led by Rabbi J.B. Sacks) Introduction to Study/Exploration Our custom here at Am HaYam is to begin the year by studying together on Second Day Rosh HaShanah. In general, I try to place before us three texts that come from three different places, even three different […]
Parashat Ki Tavo: Paying Attention This Coming New Year (Torah study led by Rabbi J.B. Sacks on September 2, 2023) We are all preparing for Rosh HaShanah. These preparations should include more than considerations of holiday dinner menu, getting apparel off to the dry cleaners, and making sure we return our forms from the High […]
Parashat Ki Tavo: How to Bring Bikkurim (delivered by Rabbi J.B. Sacks on September 1, 2023) Tomorrow’s Torah reading speaks of the bringing of bikkurim, first fruits, to the Temple, during which they would make a specific declaration. This declaration presents the precise wording that the farmer used when addressing G!d. Later the Mishnah[1] records […]
Parashat Shoftim: Who Judges Your Gates? (delivered by Rabbi Sacks on Saturday, August 19, 2023) Prince, the great musician, singer, and songwriter,[1] famously told the Los Angeles Times in 2009 that “the gatekeepers must change.” While he was speaking in a different context, his suggestion might well apply to our preparation for the High Holy […]
Parashat Shoftim: Justice, Justice Let Us Pursue (delivered by Rabbi Sacks on Friday, August 18, 2023) Over the last several millennia, humanity has developed a large and growing body of profound writings, words which encapsulate the hopes, aspirations and potential of the human soul. Across the globe, religious traditions rightly exult in the majesty and […]
The Book of Lamentations: Ten Responses to Tragedy & Grief[1] (A Torah Discussion led by Rabbi J.B. Sacks on July 22, 2023) Our primary text for Tishah B’Av is the biblical book of Eichah, named Lamentations in English. The book contains five poems (one chapter each), each written by different anonymous authors in the aftermath […]
Parashat Naso: On G!d’s Speaking/”Speaking” (A d’var Torah/Torah study delivered by Rabbi Sacks on June 3, 2023) The final verse of Parashat Naso is easy to dismiss as a wrap-up. It comes after a long passage that describes the gifts the leader of each tribe presented at the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting (both names […]
Shabbat Naso: Samson and Toxic Masculinity (A d’var Torah delivered by Rabbi Sacks on June 2, 2023) This week our haftarah especially compels us to think about men and masculinity. So before we think about the haftarah, let’s get some Jewish views on men. Think about what each quote might be saying–and not saying–about men […]
Parashat Vayakhel-P’kudei: What Kind of Giver Are You? (D’var Torah delivered by Maayan Lev on 3/17/2023) This week, as the book of Exodus comes to a close, we not only have a double parashah, Vayakel-Pekudei, but it’s also Shabbat HaChodesh, which I’ll mention again tomorrow. As you can see, there’s a lot going on this […]