Jewish Wisdom
07/22/2021 08:53:40 AM
The Gemara brings a comparison between Yochach and Tu B'Av:
Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel said: There were no good days for Israel on the fifteenth of Av and today is Yom Kippur ... and he also says: The joy of his heart - this is the building of the Temple, which will soon be built in our day. "
You can ostensibly ask:
What is the connection between Yom Kippur - a holy day on anniversaries, Tu B'Av ?!
The sages explain the...Read more...
Dvar Torah
07/22/2021 08:50:40 AM
Il y a une très vieille blague sur la remise des Tables de la loi données par Dieu à Moïse. Après que Dieu ait informé Moïse de ses intentions et de la nature de la Tablette, Moïse a demandé : « Combien coûtent-ils ? A cela Dieu a répondu : « Ils sont libres ». « Dans ce cas, dit Moïse, j'en prendrai deux !
Il y a du vrai dans cette blague. La parasha de cette semaine en est la preuve - La deuxième paire de tablettes (Dix...Read more...
Parasha Devarim
07/15/2021 12:13:26 PM
I am always amazed when I read this week's Torah portion every year for the past 35 years. The concluding book of the Five Books of Moses, Devarim, is essentially a monologue of Moses, reviewing the events of the Sinai desert.
It is his final testament. His last words of prophecy and leadership, spoken and written at the age of 120, the year of his death.
Moses was highly critical of Israel in this final message of his. In...Read more...
Tragedies Historique de Tisha b'Av
07/15/2021 12:09:11 PM
Les espions sont revenus de la Terre promise avec des rapports effrayants, et les Israélites ont rechigné à l'idée d'entrer dans la terre. D.ieu a décrété qu'ils erraient donc dans le désert pendant 40 ans.
Les deux temples sacrés de Jérusalem ont été détruits à cette date. Le Premier Temple a été brûlé par les Babyloniens en 423 avant notre ère. Et le Second Temple est tombé aux mains des Romains en 70,...Read more...
Community In Focus
07/12/2021 01:50:27 PM
Parasha
06/23/2021 08:44:43 AM
There is a famous adage of the rabbis that life and death are in the hands of the tongue. Does that tongue have hands? Not physical ones. But hands can build or destroy. So too the tongue. It is capable of breaking or uplifting the spirit of man.
There are three "tools" of expressions: thought, speech, and actions. Thought is the first one and the way we express ourselves to ourselves. Speech is the way we tell...Read more...
Qu'est-ce qu'un mot?
06/23/2021 08:41:35 AM
Il existe un adage célèbre des rabbins selon lequel la vie et la mort sont entre les mains de la langue. Cette langue a-t-elle des mains ? Pas physiques. Mais les mains peuvent construire ou détruire. La langue aussi. Il est capable de briser ou d'élever l'esprit de l'homme.
Il existe trois « outils » d'expressions : la pensée, la parole et les actions. La pensée est la première et la façon dont nous nous exprimons à...Read more...
Le pouvoir de la modestie
06/22/2021 12:18:21 PM
Balak a ensuite emmené Balaam à un troisième endroit, pensant qu'il serait peut-être plus facile pour Balaam de maudire le peuple juif à partir de là. Balaam était sur le point de les maudire, mais il vit alors comment le peuple juif était campé : d'abord, ils étaient organisés en tribus, ce qui n'était possible que parce qu'ils avaient été fidèles dans leurs mariages. Deuxièmement, ils ont installé le camp de manière à ce...Read more...
Jewish Wisdom
06/16/2021 09:23:48 AM
The congregation had no water, so they assembled against Moses and Aaron. Numbers 20:2
The same way the body needs to be fed and food nourishes the body and water absorb the nutrients in the food, the soul needs to be fed. The “food” and “water” of the soul is the Torah and the Torah’s ability to influence our personalities, all types of people, and all aspects of life.
Miriam, the sister of Moses, was the one who...Read more...
Parasha
06/16/2021 09:16:59 AM
La Torah investit beaucoup dans le pouvoir de la parole. Bien que nous lisons dans Pirkei Avot que « les paroles prononcées ne sont pas aussi importantes que les actes accomplis », la Torah insiste néanmoins constamment sur l'importance de la parole prononcée.
Le discours inapproprié, la calomnie et l'obscénité sont de terribles abus du don de la parole. La Torah considère la parole comme la seule qualité qui sépare...Read more...
Community In Focus
06/15/2021 11:21:19 AM
Wow! What an amazing Charidy campaign we had this week. Congratulations to the entire team. And felicitations to our precious members and community. None of it would have been possible without them.
Our community displayed tremendous support and generosity to our beautiful synagogue.
I remember two years ago, when I first started working at the Spanish, I asked Charidy to make a presentation. Then the idea did not...Read more...
Rapide et bénis
06/10/2021 09:41:37 AM
Le bâton d'Aaron – pour la maison de Lévi – avait fleuri ; il a produit des fleurs, des bourgeons germés et des amandes mûres.
De tous les fruits, les amandes sont les plus rapides à fleurir, à mûrir et à être prêtes à la consommation humaine. Cet attribut de vitesse caractérisait la fonction des prêtres dans le Tabernacle de deux manières :
Les prêtres bénissaient le peuple chaque matin. Le but de leurs...Read more...
Dvar Torah
06/10/2021 09:33:45 AM
Some people are never happy with themselves and with what they have. Some are also not happy with the people around them; their spouse, children, family, and friends. But then there is an entirely different category found in the Pirkei Avot. "One who desires not to give and that others too should not give." Not only do they not want to give their own time and money, but they also don't want to see others donate their time and money. But when...Read more...
Community In Focus
06/09/2021 09:39:26 AM
So the Habs have been doing really well in these series. We can feel the excitement in the air. If you are a real Montrealer you must be over the top with joy.
One congregant asked me to make a special “mi sheberah” for the Montreal Canadians. Why not? Nothing wrong with that right? Well, I don't want to be a party pooper but I am not so happy with the way things are going.
Our government seems to think the national...Read more...
Allez au travail
06/03/2021 03:28:50 PM
De nombreuses lois ont été données dans la Torah suite à l'incident des espions envoyés par Moïse. Les espions ont été envoyés pour voyager à travers la terre d'Israël et encourager le peuple à conquérir la terre. Ils ont justement fait le bouleversement. Créer la panique et le découragement, ce qui s'est traduit par un « timeout » de quarante ans dans le désert.
Ils ont été réconfortés par...Read more...
Les lois de Roch Hodech
06/03/2021 10:11:27 AM
Il ne faut pas jeûner à Rosh Hodech, même si le jeûne n'est prévu que pour quelques heures.
Bien qu'il n'y ait aucune obligation de se laver et de manger un repas en l'honneur de Roch Hodech, il faut s'efforcer d'augmenter ce qui est mangé à Rosh Hodech, en l'honneur de ce jour, et même d'inclure du pain pendant le repas.
Il ne...Read more...
Get To Work
06/03/2021 09:41:08 AM
Many laws were given in the Torah following the incident of the spies sent by Moses. The spies were sent to travel through the land of Israel and encourage the people to conquer the land. They did precisely the upset. Creating panic and discouragement, which resulted in a forty-year "timeout" in the desert.
They were comforted by G-D by reminding them that their children would eventually enter and...Read more...
Community In Focus
06/01/2021 08:34:23 AM
Close to 400 people participated in the 80th commemoration of the Fahrud. Our amazing team pulled off an incredible program. Thank you to David Nathaniel, Lisette Shahashoua, Gladys Daoud, and everyone else involved. The wide range of speakers and interactions kept our attention throughout the entire 2-hour program. I can't imagine the fear and devastation our brothers and sisters suffered during those days in Iraq, and the...Read more...
Jewish Wisdom
05/26/2021 09:21:30 AM
The Sages of the Talmud in tractate Pesahim enumerate seven matters that are concealed from people. One of them is; that a person does not know what is in the heart of another. This fact teaches us a big lesson in communication. Knowing that one is not privy to my inner feelings or thoughts requires me to communicate them properly.
All too often, there are misunderstandings simply because of a...Read more...
Parashat Beha’alotekha - Grab It While You Can
05/26/2021 09:14:49 AM
Seize the moment. How many times can you say you did that? Did you ever miss an opportunity? Too lazy? Unfocused? It can happen to the best of us. What makes us miss life-changing opportunities?
Let us turn to the weekly Torah Portion; you would be surprised to find some pertinent answers to our questions.
We are traveling in the desert this week. And we are promised to receive our national homeland. There...Read more...
Community in Focus
05/25/2021 10:01:24 AM
This past Shabat, we were fortunate to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of our young member Ariel Layani, son of Jose and Sandy. Ariel read the longest parasha beautifully. And this Sunday, I officiated my first wedding at the Synagogue since the beginning of the pandemic. I must say that I was genuinely excited. It has been over a year that the walls of our beautiful sanctuary did not witness the joy of a young...Read more...
Community In Focus
05/20/2021 03:54:40 PM
Shalom Haverim,
The Hag of Shavuot was uplifting and inspiring at our Synagogue. My inbox after the holiday was filled with warm and emotional feedback. But let’s rewind for a moment to Sunday afternoon.
You all probably know of the Israel support rally. I was downtown and it was violent. I was not scared but it was very unpleasant. I was been sized up and given dirty looks walking the street...Read more...
From the Rabbi’s Desk - I Am My Brother's Keeper!
05/13/2021 03:54:58 PM
Dear friends,
The last tragic events in Israel are devastating. A missile has dropped in the city of Holon, a few blocks away from my in-laws’ home. It has not an easy week for us. We are worried and concerned for the well-being of our families across the country.
I hear voices from people in the Jewish community and the media on how the nations need to support Israel while the U.N...Read more...
Vivre avec la Paracha
05/13/2021 08:40:49 AM
La plupart conviendront, selon le goût et le tempérament, que la pièce maîtresse de la fête de Shevuot n'est pas le gâteau au fromage mais plutôt les dix commandements. Il convient de noter que les dix commandements sont répartis également sur deux côtés, cinq points et cinq. Puisqu'il y a beaucoup plus de mots et d'impressions totales dans les cinq premiers, si tout est de taille de police égale, il est plus logique de...Read more...
Community In Focus
05/10/2021 01:36:41 PM
Dear friends,
This past Monday we celebrated Yom Yerushalayim. A historical and miraculous day for our nation. The day Jerusalem returns to its rightful owners, the people of Israel in the land of Israel.
Our community commemorated this particular day while inaugurating our new video system co-sponsored by the Iny family.
I would like to share an extract of a story of the journey with you, retold by...Read more...
Not Mainstream
05/06/2021 03:57:33 PM
Ben Zoma would say: Who is wise? One who learns from every man. As is stated (Psalms 119:99): "From all my teachers I have grown wise, for Your testimonials are my meditation."
Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. As is stated (Proverbs 16:32), "Better one who is slow to anger than one with might, one who rules his spirit than the captor of a city."
Who is rich? One who is happy...Read more...
Alpinistes
05/06/2021 03:55:15 PM
La lecture de la Torah de cette semaine semble souligner que l’octroi de la Torah à Moshe, et à travers lui à Israël en général, a eu lieu sur la montagne du Sinaï. Puisque la Torah ne traite pas des détails géographiques fortuits, cette emphase concerne l'étude et l'analyse des ours de montagne. L'escalade est un sport pour les plus robustes et en bonne forme physique. Cependant, la plupart d'entre nous sont...Read more...
In Focus
05/04/2021 11:27:17 AM
The tragedy at Har Meron still lingers in our hearts. As more and more details are revealed our heart breaks over and over again.
This past Shabbat in my sermon I of course spoke about the tragedy. And I was struggling with myself and contemplating on what to say and what not to say.
In my opinion, to try to explain and give any excuse to have happened is just plain cruel and...Read more...
So You Want to Be a Role Model
04/29/2021 02:16:23 PM
À la mémoire de Sarah Halimi z"l
04/27/2021 11:18:39 AM
Chers Amis,
En 2017, s'est déroulé en France un drame qui affecte les Juifs du monde entier. Sarah Halimi z"l, une retraitée juive qui vivait à Paris, a été brutalement assassinée. Un musulman l'a...Read more...