Purim 2021–Who is Charvonah…
Charvonah is a seemingly insignificant character in the Purim story. He is one of the king’s attendants who appears at the beginning with those who convey the kings fateful summons to Vashti and [...]
The Coveted Sukkah of Sodom
"Anyone who fulfills the mitzvah of sukkah in this world, will get a perpetual share (are you ready for this) in the Sukkah of Sodom” [Pesikta d'Rav Kahana].
Video–Rosh HaShana and the Kabbalistic Mystery of Nesira
R. Tsadok notes that Rosh Hashana (humanity's birthday) is actually a very strange Yom Tov given the debate between Hillel and Shamai about whether its better to be born...or not.
Chai Elul—A Rosh HaShana Teaching for the Baal Shem Tov’s Birthday
R. Tsadok notes that Rosh Hashana (humanity's birthday) is actually a very strange Yom Tov given the debate between Hillel and Shamai about whether its better to be born...or not.
Turning Noga into Chashmal
Chashmal thus becomes the codeword for embracing paradox by skirting back and forth between opposing perspectives and admitting the truth that’s present in each. This kinetic approach to [...]
Masters of Judgement
Rosh Hashana marks the conception (when the thought of creation arose within the mind of G-d) and Pesach marks the actual birth (when an actual “creature” evolved that could hold the level of [...]
Rosh HaShana Through the Years
A bounty of teachings on how to prepare for Rosh HaShana and how to direct one's intentions on the day itself. Teachings about teshuva, prayer and shofar.
Fifteen Stages of the Pesach Seder
The Fifteen Stages That Form the Backbone of Our Pesach Ritual and trace the soul’s journey from conception, birth, childhood, maturity and, finally, enlightenment.
Keter – Malchut
Purim 2019 / 5779 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Based on R. YYYY Safrin of Komara’s Commentary on Esther called Ketem Ofier (4:1 – 5:4) Mordecai charges Esther to go before the king, and plead for her [...]
Shame is Nothing to Be Ashamed About
Rosh HaShana 5779 / 2018[1] Sarah Yehudit Schneider Divine perfection, in order for it to be infinite, must include the possibility of perfecting…a never-ending process by which perfection [...]
From Eden to Purim: Simcha shel Mitzvah
Purim 2018 / 5778 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Talmud asks: “Why did the Jews of that generation deserve extermination? Because they derived pleasure [נהנו] from the feast of that wicked one [...]
The Transmutation of Shame though Teshuva
Rosh HaShana 2016 / 5777 Based on R. Tsadok HaKohen, Tikanat HaShavin 5:10-12, Tsidkat HaTsadik [40] Sarah Yehudit Schneider There are three categories of tikunim, says the Leshem, and every [...]
Sweetening the Dinim – Rosh HaShanna
Rosh HaShana 2013/5774 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Our Rosh Hashana avoda—its soul-searching, lengthy prayers, and special mitzvot—is all directed toward one mysterious aim called “sweetening the [...]
A Prayer for Enemies
A War Cry and Peace Prayer from a Jewish I-Center (to be recited with its parenthetical phrases) “Hashem, let it be that all Jewish souls, no matter where they stand, no matter what they [...]
THE THREE LEVELS OF TESHUVA
A Rosh HaShana Teaching, 5770/2009 by Sarah Yehudit Schneider R. Isaac said: Why do we sound the shofar on Rosh HaShana? …To confound the Accuser (TB RH 16a/b).(1) Resh Lakish said: Great [...]