rabbijonathanf
Letting Go: Thoughts for Yom Kippur
Before Hollywood glorified the revenge drama, Alexandre Dumas wrote The Count of Monte Cristo, one of the most famous stories of revenge....
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rabbijonathanf
- Oct 2
- 5 min
Giving is Getting
Morning services were over, and I strode out of the synagogue ready for a busy day. I was just about to cross the doorway, and elderly...
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rabbijonathanf
- May 4
- 3 min
From Tears to Joy: Yom Hazikaron to Yom Haatzmaut
Last summer after our daughter Meirah’s high school graduation we visited Salzburg, Austria where my mother’s family is from. We saw the...
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rabbijonathanf
- Apr 14
- 4 min
The Mysterious Fifth Cup of Elijah
At the beginning of our family Seder when I was growing up my grandfather used to fill a cup of grape juice and place it in the center of...
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rabbijonathanf
- Sep 12, 2021
- 8 min
Beyond Conflict: Forgiving Others, Forgiving Ourselves -YK 2012
Sam is lonely so he goes to buy a bird that talks. But when he brings the bird home, the bird does not stop cursing. At first Sam asks...
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rabbijonathanf
- Sep 12, 2021
- 6 min
Embracing the Israel Challenge -RH 2021
Early Zionist Chasidim working the Land of Israel For many of you, this is your first Rosh Hashanah in Israel, and maybe even your first...
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rabbijonathanf
- Apr 14, 2021
- 8 min
Israel: A Country Built on Miracles
In May 1948, 5 Arab armies were poised to invade the new state of Israel. All the Jews had in their arsenal were rifles and machine guns...
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rabbijonathanf
- Feb 4, 2021
- 3 min
Rabbi Dr. Avraham Twerski zt’l: Fearless Advocate for Those Suffering From Mental Health Issues and
The recognition upon his passing of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski zt’l has already shown us the many facets of his greatness. Over the years...
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rabbijonathanf
- Nov 11, 2020
- 5 min
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: The Loss of a Jewish Global Visionary
The Jewish world and the whole world have lost a great teacher and leader, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Rabbi Sacks was an unparalleled scholar,...
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rabbijonathanf
- Oct 1, 2020
- 3 min
Coming Together on Yom Kippur Under the Stars in the Center of Tel Aviv
The two renowned Chasidic masters, the brothers Rav Elimelech and Rav Zusha were rounded up with some of the simple folk they used to...
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rabbijonathanf
- Sep 17, 2020
- 4 min
Flying High on Rosh Hashanah
Many of us have childhood memories of a scary scene from a movie. In mine, the hero is trapped in a room with metal walls, and a suddenly...
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rabbijonathanf
- Apr 28, 2020
- 5 min
Yom Haatzmaut Reflections: Israel -Jewish State or State for the Jews?
At the beginning of the Zionist movement in 1903, the British offered the ‘Uganda Plan’, which would have relocated Jews fleeing the...
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rabbijonathanf
- Apr 17, 2020
- 5 min
Quarantine Diaries: How Is Israel Different From Other Countries: A Unique Passover
Passover in Israel during Conovirus has been a unique experience. Unfortunately, thousands of individuals were alone for Seder. Many of...
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rabbijonathanf
- Mar 31, 2020
- 4 min
Quarantine Diaries: Lessons from a Global Crisis
There are many comic interludes posted online, and humor is an effective outlet in these anxious times. One good post was: “G-d could we...
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rabbijonathanf
- Mar 12, 2020
- 4 min
Quarantine Diaries: Responding to the Challenge
I have now been in quarantine for six days, and while I have mostly been able to keep my spirits up despite the isolation, there are...
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rabbijonathanf
- Mar 8, 2020
- 5 min
Quarantine Diaries: AIPAC, Israel and the Unity of Purim
Last week I attended the AIPAC conference in DC, an inspiring three-day gathering of pro-Israel conferences, lobbying, and general...
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rabbijonathanf
- Feb 6, 2020
- 4 min
Rip Van Winkle, Tu B’Shvat and the Secret of Jewish Perseverance
Four months ago, a friend gave my wife a small sapling kumquat tree as a birthday present. We replanted it into a bigger pot, and every...
21 views0 comments
rabbijonathanf
- Jan 3, 2020
- 4 min
Jewish Genius, the Times Op-Ed Controversy, and the Talmud
Brett Stephens’ recent Op-ed on The Secret of Jewish Genius generated much discussion and controversy. I believe the most important but...
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rabbijonathanf
- Dec 22, 2019
- 3 min
Who Is The 'Real' Jew?
Who is the ‘real’ Jew, the genius scientist, the pious Rabbinic scholar, or the nebby actor? For the early Zionists, it was none of...
31 views0 comments
rabbijonathanf
- Nov 17, 2019
- 3 min
The Soul of Shabbat and the Big Shabbat Dinner
Here is the d'var Torah I shared at the service before the dinner (to only 200 people, by the time 1000 young adults were there...
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