This week, God makes himself known to Jacob and renames him to be called Israel. He is promised and blessed with the land for his generations of offspring. The name Israel is a blessing unto itself; the blessing that we as a people have the privilege to struggle with God,...
In this week’s parsha, the Torah teaches us what it means to not get along with siblings and the outcomes. Alongside that, it also teaches us what it means to make amends and how much goodness it can bring to the world for the individuals, their surroundings and family relations...
This week in Hayeyi Sarah, the portion that is named "Sarah's life", we actually learn about her death. This is the first time in any Jewish source that we see a burial occur, and Abraham does so with dignity, buying her grave in Hebron from the Hittites. This week teaches...
A lot of things happen in this week's portion, but the one that connects the most to us is when god calls out to Abraham, his response is, "Hineni", or, I am present, I am here, I am open. We feel so honored to be able to say "Hineni" to our...
A beautiful tribute to a powerful Torah reading. Shabbat Shalom!
This week, we read the Jewish flood epic. This is a story we hear in different forms from various civilizations over time, teaching us that all humans impact each other in holiness, narrative, and morals. May we all have an accepting and loving Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom!
This week we are reintroduced to creation, the beginning of our story. Maybe restarting the cycle of Torah will bring us all back to our roots. Shabbat Shalom!
Just as Judaism teaches us that the Sukkot holiday is a time of great joy, we also read Kohelet, a book that balances our joy by teaching of grief and that there is a time for everything. How Judaism views the circle of life is shown even in how we...
Shabbat Shalom! We bless you all to start this year off on a positive note and with lots of love.
Wishing you and your family a meaningful Yom Kippur. G'mar Chatima Tova from everyone at Chicago Jewish Funerals
