Sermons
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History is important, not only as it occurs and is recorded, but also as it is remembered and retold. Sometimes old and well known stories get told in new ways. And, sometimes an event from the distant past, for example the election of 1800 or the Hamilton – Burr duel, can become newly relevant to…
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I speak a lot from this pulpit about the daily minyanim here at Anshe Sholom and the need to strengthen their reliability and grow the attendance, of men and women in this community, at our weekday Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv minyanim. Well, I had an interesting experience at a few weekday minyanim this week. As…
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Judaism is a tradition of great debates: Hillel vs. Shammai. Mystics vs. Rationalists. Hasidim vs. Mitnagdim. Rashi vs. Rabbenu Tam. But, without a doubt, the most confounding debate in Jewish tradition is the debate between Rambam…and Maimonides. Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, was known by his Hebrew acronym Rambam in the world of classic Jewish learning and was…
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[Two significant milestones in the shul this week that deserve mention. 9pm Maariv minyan completed six months without interruption. Impressive bein adam l’havero and bein adam l’makom. Daf Yomi completed Gittin and begins Kiddushin on Sunday morning]. **** After July 4, 1776 a lot changed. Even at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in New York, which was…
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I want you to try imagining being in the following situation (but keep your eyes open – no falling asleep). Imagine you are traveling out of state and before returning home you go to catch an early dinner at a kosher pizza restaurant (the only thing Lakeview is missing). Before you place your order, the mashgiach,…
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When Sara and I were newlyweds we moved into our first apartment in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was in the process of furnishing that small apartment that I discovered a latent talent, a gift, if you will. We purchased several small pieces of furniture that required assembly and, to my great joy, I discovered that I have a natural…
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One can learn a lot about a community through looking at its architecture. Sixty years ago, when this building was built, the small playroom off the back of the shul served as the shul sukkah. The room had a removable roof that was replaced with branches and, presto, instant sukkah. We can learn something about…
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A humorous email was distributed this past week that compiled a “true dictionary” for the those working in the non-profit sector. Some examples from the email: If you see a job description that says, “Looking for a self-directed individual” that really means, “We don’t have enough staff to pull off this plan, so you’ll be on your own…
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A father once sat down with the young man his daughter was planning to marry. They had not yet met and the father wished to learn more about the man who would become his son-in-law. “You are currently learning in yeshiva, what are your plans for eventually getting a job?” he asked. “God will provide.”…
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They say a lottery is a tax on those who aren’t good at math. If that’s true, then that’s a tax that I really ought to pay. Nonetheless I did not buy a lottery ticket (I’m sure I’ll find another way to pay that tax). I was, however, hoping that one of you – one…
- Parasha
- Acharei Mot
- Acharei Mot-Kedoshim
- Baha'alotcha
- Balak
- Bamidbar
- Behar
- Behar-Behukotai
- Behukotai
- Bereishit
- Beshalach
- Bo
- Chayei Sara
- Devarim
- Eikev
- Emor
- Ha'Azinu
- Hol HaMoed Sukkot
- Hukkat
- Hukkat-Balak
- Kedoshim
- Ki Teitzei
- Ki Tissa
- Kol Nidre
- Korach
- Lekh Lekha
- Ma'asei
- Matot
- Matot Ma'asei
- Miketz
- Mishpatim
- Naso
- Nitzavim
- Nitzavim-Vayeilech
- Noach
- Pekudei
- Pinchas
- Re'eh
- Rosh Hashanah
- Shavuot
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- Shemot
- Shimini Atzeret
- Shlach
- Shmini
- Shoftim
- Tazria
- Tazria Metzora
- Terumah
- Tetzaveh
- Toldot
- Tzav
- Va'Etchanan
- Vaera
- Vayakhel
- Vayakhel-Pekudei
- VaYechi
- Vayeilech
- Vayera
- VaYeshev
- VaYetzei
- VaYigash
- Vayikra
- VaYishlach
- Yitro
- Yom Ha'atzmaut
- Yom Kippur
- Passover
- Shavuot
- Year
Rabbi David Wolkenfeld 