Insights from Reverend Hazan Benlolo

The days leading up to Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, are marked by deep introspection and an urgent call for spiritual and emotional preparation. Yom Kippur offers us the opportunity to recalibrate our lives, to look back at the year behind us, and to turn our focus inward as we strive to cleanse our hearts and souls. But in light of the challenges and fears the Jewish people have...Read more...

As the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach, the Jewish calendar invites us to engage in a profound period of self-reflection and spiritual preparation. These days are not just about the rituals we observe in the synagogue but also about an internal journey that requires careful mental, physical, and spiritual preparation. Here’s how to ready yourself holistically in the days...Read more...

Traditionally blown during the Jewish High Holidays, has always been a powerful symbol in Jewish tradition. Its relevance is heightened today due to several key factors.

The shofar's blast is a call to spiritual and moral awakening. In a world grappling with moral ambiguity, rising antisemitism, social injustices, and widespread conflict,...Read more...

As the High Holidays approach, the Jewish community finds itself entering a season of deep reflection, repentance, and renewal. Central to this period of spiritual preparation is the recitation of *Selichot* prayers, which serve as a profound expression of penitence and a heartfelt plea for divine mercy. In the current climate, where antisemitism is once again on the rise, the *Selichot* prayers...Read more...

Tisha B'Av, the day of mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, has always been a time for reflection on tragedy and loss in Jewish history. However, this year, the observance of Tisha B'Av carries a unique weight, influenced by the current war in Israel and a surge in global antisemitism.

In recent months, Israel has been embroiled...Read more...

The week’s Torah reading recounts how Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron, took a zealous stand to stop a plague among the Israelites by killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were publicly defying God’s commands. This act of zealotry earned him a covenant of peace and the priesthood for his descendants.

In modern times, this parashah can be...Read more...

The Torah portion of Chukat contains several elements, including the laws of the red heifer (para aduma), the death of Miriam, the sin of Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah, and the defeat of various enemies. Each of these can be seen as relevant to contemporary life and the future of the Jewish people.

This ritual of purification from contact with death is a...Read more...

The Torah portion "Shelach Lecha" describes the episode of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. Ten of the spies return with a negative report, causing the Israelites to lose faith and leading to their wandering in the desert for forty years. This portion emphasizes themes of faith, trust, and the consequences of fear and lack of unity.

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The Ten Commandments, or "Aseret HaDibrot," are a cornerstone of Jewish religious and ethical life, encapsulating essential principles that guide the behavior and beliefs of Jewish individuals. Given to Moses on Mount Sinai, these commandments form the foundation of the covenant between God and the Jewish people, outlining a framework for a just and holy society.

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This past Wednesday marked an extraordinary chapter in the history of our community, a night that will be remembered for years to come. Under the visionary guidance of many that came before us, our community came together in a remarkable display of camaraderie and unity for a common cause. It was an evening where the power of Torah study, the backbone of any Jewish community, was celebrated and...Read more...

This past Tuesday morning, on May 14, 2024, an extraordinary celebration unfolded as 10,000 individuals, both Jewish community members and their allies, gathered to mark the 76th anniversary of Israel's Independence Day. The scene was nothing short of breathtaking. The air buzzed with a palpable sense of excitement and unity as people from all walks of life came together to honor this significant milestone.

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Parashat Acharei Mot outlines the rituals performed by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur is a day of introspection, repentance, and atonement, where individuals seek forgiveness for their sins and strive for spiritual renewal.

The parasha describes how the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the...Read more...

This week we celebrate Shabbat HaGadol, the "Great Shabbat," it is the Shabbat immediately preceding Passover. It's significant because it commemorates the Israelites' preparation for the Exodus from Egypt. According to tradition, on this Shabbat, the Israelites took the Paschal lamb, a central element of the Passover sacrifice, in defiance of their Egyptian taskmasters, who revered the lamb as a deity. This act of...Read more...

Passover commemorates the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom, marking a significant transformation in their status and identity. Similarly, the rituals outlined in Tazria involve processes of purification and renewal, particularly after childbirth or when dealing with skin diseases. These rituals signify a transition from a state of impurity to one of purity, symbolizing renewal and transformation.

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While there are commonalities in how Passover is celebrated across different Jewish communities, there are also variations in traditions and customs. Here are some differences between Moroccan, Iraqi, Lebanese, and Ashkenazi Jews during Passover:

Moroccan Jews have unique customs and rituals that add a distinctive flavor to their Passover observance. For example, they often...Read more...