Ever wanted to learn how to lead Kabbalat Shabbat but don’t read Hebrew? This guide, a “shareware” version of a new book coming out through PunkTorah Publishing, will give you a dummy-proof transliteration of the Friday night service as well as some great tips on how to write your own Shabbat service. Click here to [...]
Kabbalat Shabbat Vayekhel-Pekudei Service (March 16th, 2012)
March 16, 2012 By 1 Comment
Jewish Conversion: History, Myths and Fears Converts Have
March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Shabbat Ki Tisa Prayer Service
March 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The PDF version of this prayer service can be downloaded here. Shabbat Shalom, OneShul! 15th of Adar, 5772 (9th of March, 2012) Introduction Shabbat Shalom Lighting of the Shabbat Candles Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha’olam, asher kiddeshanu b’mitz’votav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat. Ma Tovu Ma tovu ohalecha, Yaakov; mishk’notecha, Yisraeil! (Responsive) How goodly are [...]
Making Demands – A Purim Essay
March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
There are 4 mitzvot associated with Purim: Hearing the Megillah Eating a festive meal Sharing food with friends (Mishloach manot) Giving tzedakah With regard to tzedakah, it is the ONE time of year when, if someone comes to your door asking for tzedakah, you MAY NOT ask them for their reference (in many communities you [...]
Book Review: Maimonides’ Introduction to the Talmud
March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Maimonides’ Introduction to the Talmud is the attempt by Rambam to give a precise introduction to the Talmud for the non-scholar. The book is short but is packed with large amounts of information. Since the Talmud is based upon the Written and Oral Torah Maimonides begins by showing how both the Written Torah and the [...]
Jewish Conversion: Myths and Facts
February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Judaism and Mental Health
February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Does the Jewish tradition have anything to say about self help? Is the stereotype of the neurotic Jew a good thing? Using classical texts as well as Martin Buber’s The Ten Rugs, we explore the idea of human perfection, mental illness and ultimately, how to be a more fulfilled person. Download the class notes here. [...]
The Old/New Universe
January 24, 2012 By 1 Comment
Introduction Ever since science has attempted to determine the age of the universe there has been a fierce intellectual battle between the forces of science and creationism. I tend to believe that the two perspectives don’t have to conflict, especially so fiercely. Today, there are several genuine approaches which can reconcile the two accounts of [...]
Hanukkah and the Talmud with Rabbi Arnie Samlan
December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
