IN G-D’S IMAGE President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak together with other world leaders have condemned the actions of Hamas in unambiguous terms. These voices were echoed unequivocally in our shul last Tuesday in the powerful speeches of Lucy Fraser MP and Tom Tugendhat MP upholding Israel’s absolute moral right to protect itself....
HERITAGE If you were asked to choose the perfect Torah verse to start a child’s Jewish education, what would it be? Perhaps the opening of the Bible? “In the beginning, G-d created Heaven and Earth.” Or maybe, the first of the Ten Commandments? “I am the L-d, Your G-d.” In fact, the Talmud (Succah 42a)...
TAKING THE ARBA MINIM The Arba Minim are taken every day of Succot, except on Shabbat. Whilst there is nothing intrinsically Shabbat-unfriendly about a Lulav, the rabbis of the Talmud decreed, that just like a shofar, a Lulav and Etrog are not taken on Shabbat. The concern is that individuals may carry their Lulav in...
GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY In this week’s parasha Moses calls on heaven and earth to be witnesses to the Jewish people. “Listen, Heaven and I will speak, and hear, Earth, the words of my mouth.” (Devarim 32:1) The Midrash explains that the people are to look to the natural world as symbols of faithfulness to G-d and...
STANDING AND WALKING Encapsulated in the titles of this week’s double parasha are two key principles of life. Nitzavim and Veyelech. Standing firm and Walking. There are times when what is required of us is to be firm, principled and resolute. There are other times when what is called for is to be flexible, compliant...
