Finding the Sacred Invitations within the Mistakes — a Teaching by our Bat Mitzvah
By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar Returning to our practice of reflecting back on the Torah offered at this past week’s Shabbat services, we’re fortunate to be able to share the Torah offered by this past week’s Bat Mitzvah celebrant, Clara. Clara’s Torah portion was Noah, that foundational story that articulates the ebb and flow of humanity, […]
A Letter to the Kids: Where Judaism Can Take You
Yom Kippur Sermon 5782 By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar I want everyone to look around for a minute. Those in the sanctuary, and those at home. Maybe Ven, our camera person can pull back for a minute so that those at home watching on Zoom can take a look at the sanctuary. I want all of […]
The Sacred Fire: Discerning How To Be In The World
Kol Nidre Sermon 5782 By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar One of the stories that struck me this year going through our annual cycle of reading the Torah is one that is not often covered in your classic Hebrew School curriculum. Long after Noah and the flood, long after the Exodus from Egypt, even long after the […]
Pathways to God: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, and Adonai Avoteichem
Rosh Hashanah 5782 By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar I think I know what the most important piece of Torah is. I know, it’s a lofty claim. It’s like saying you can identify the single greatest piece of art, the greatest piece of music, the greatest basketball player of all time. Sure we all have opinions, but […]
Alienation and Reconciliation
By Rabbi Nathan Kamesar We studied Parashat Shofetim, the Torah portion known as Shofetim, or, Judges. As a reminder, we find ourselves in the final book of the Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), where Moses is delivering his final speeches on the eve of their entering into the Promised Land without him. In particular, this week’s parashah had him holding forth about four important […]