Rabbi Levinsky Sermon: May 22

This Shabbat’s Torah portion, Beha’alotecha, begins with the lighting of the menorah in the ancient Temple. The rabbis taught that the flame had to be held to the wick “until it rises on its own.” Over time, the menorah became a symbol of the human soul and the inner light each of us carries. This […]

Tonight, we dedicate our new Torah covers. What exactly does dedication mean in the Jewish tradition? You may be surprised, but the Hebrew word for “dedication” is Chanukah. In Judaism, it marks a beginning. The rededication of the Temple after it was desecrated by the Greeks in the Chanukkah story. The dedication of a home, Chanukat HaBayit. […]

True Tzedakah/Charity We often think about tzedakah/charity as giving money to help those in need. That’s correct, but our tradition also invites us to think broadly about tzedakah/charity. In this week’s Torah portion, we are reminded that responsibility begins not only when we give financially, but when we give with our hearts. Tzedakah can be an expression […]