Category: Rabbi’s page
Prayer is for everyone…
| December 1, 2011 - ה כסלו תשעב | Posted by Rabbi Farbman under Rabbi's page |
There is a wonderful Chasidic story about a boy who did not know how to pray – so the rabbi advised him to recite the letters of the Hebrew alef bet. When someone protested that this would not help, the rabbi suggested that as long as the boy said the letters and put his heart and his soul in it, then God will surely put the letters in the right order… Our tradition constantly reminds us that we have to try and have both the kavannah, the intention to pray, and the keva, the formal liturgy. We struggle to bring… more
Building the community…
| October 5, 2011 - ז תשרי תשעב | Posted by Rabbi Farbman under Featured, Rabbi's page |
If God does not build the house, the workers labor in vain… (Psalm 127). There is an ancient Jewish tradition: when building a house, to leave one corner, one tiny bit unfinished. To let a little bit of brick show through plaster in the corner, to have something left not fully painted. Our ancestors did so in order to remind ourselves that the world is not complete, that there is far too much suffering and destruction in the world for us to sit comfortably in our home and think that all is good… Over the course of this summer there… more
Slach lanu… forgive us before the High Holy Days?
| August 25, 2011 - כה אב תשעא | Posted by Rabbi Farbman under Featured, Rabbi's page |
In our tradition, the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are known as the most awe-inspiring and powerful Holy Days. In our modern reality, the High Holy Days continue to serve as a draw for the Jews who rarely set foot in the synagogue during the year, but who nonetheless make big efforts to be a part of a community on the Days of Awe. Of course, if you have not been coming to the synagogue regularly, you may find the experience alienating (and great many Jews do!), since you do not know the prayers and may not be quite as… more
Shiru l’Adonai Shir Chadash, Sing unto God a new song…
| December 20, 2010 - יג טבת תשעא | Posted by Rabbi Farbman under Rabbi's page |
If favorite books are like old friends, prayerbooks are like trusted and beloved family members. We turn to them in joy as well as in sorrow, in wonder and in confusion. While holding the prayerbook in our hands, we talk to God, it helps us find the right words when our own words fail us… It bears witness to the passage of time and to the major events in our lives. Temple Emanuel has its own prayerbook, Seder Tefilot Emanuel. This wonderful and warm book has inspired generations of TE members – and continues to do so! It began as… more
Chag Urim Sameach – a Happy Festival of Lights!
| December 7, 2010 - ל כסלו תשעא | Posted by Rabbi Farbman under Rabbi's page |
I could not honestly remember if I had ever experienced Chanukah begin on December 1st – but even if I did, this still feels very ‘early’! As the Jewish calendar tries to balance the lunar and the solar systems of counting months, our festivals travel slightly back and forth. This Hebrew year, 5771 is a leap year, so starting with Purim the festivals will all of a sudden feel ‘later than usual’ – and so the cycle continues. This year’s calendar has provided us all with an incredible opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving and Chanukah with less than a week between… more
Member of the