By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
December 6, 2024
While Jacob dreams of a ladder leading to heaven, he recognizes that he is in a sacred place. The midrash explains that the Temple Mount was uprooted and brought to Jacob in order that he could pray there. This short teaching gives us permission to open the gates of prayer wherever we may find ourselves. The Talmud explains that Abraham called the Temple a mountain, Isaac called it a field, and Jacob called it a house.
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
December 2, 2024
A question is often asked if acts of kindness should be publicized or anonymous. While both paths have value, our ancestor Rivka performs a small act that gives us insight into how publicizing kindness can be contagious. When Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, goes to search for a wife for Isaac, he sees Rivka carrying a pitcher of water upon her shoulder.
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
November 22, 2024
A question is often asked if acts of kindness should be publicized or anonymous. While both paths have value, our ancestor Rivka performs a small act that gives us insight into how publicizing kindness can be contagious. When Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, goes to search for a wife for Isaac, he sees Rivka carrying a pitcher of water upon her shoulder.
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
November 15, 2024
I write to you from Dallas, TX at the JNF-USA Global Conference for Israel where 30 of our David and Angella Nazarian Fellows and 30 of our Flesh Family Sinai Temple Israel Center Rabbinical Fellows have gathered among thousands for a Shabbat full of Israel inspiration.
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
November 8, 2024
For the last three years, I have hosted the podcast, Rabbi On The Sidelines, speaking about the intersection of sports and faith with athletes, coaches, team owners, and fans.
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
November 1, 2024
There is a Yiddish expression that says, a tzaddik in peltz, a righteous person wrapped in a fur coat. There are two choices when we are cold. We can build a fire and make everyone warm, or we can wrap ourselves in a warm coat, and leave everyone remaining to shiver.
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
October 23, 2024
Tonight begins the final evenings of the Sukkot Holiday. As we are supposed to be at our moment of utmost joy, zman simchateinu, we have now reached the yahrzeit of the 1200 souls who were murdered at this moment last year. How do we hold these two opposing feelings and commands in our heart at once?
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
October 16, 2024
Tomorrow morning, we will take our lulav and etrog in our hands and wave the four species in six directions representing the presence of God in all directions. Yet, we must ask ourselves, do we take our Judaism in those six directions, too?
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
October 15, 2024
Tomorrow morning, we will take our lulav and etrog in our hands and wave the four species in six directions representing the presence of God in all directions. Yet, we must ask ourselves, do we take our Judaism in those six directions, too?
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By Rabbi Erez Sherman on
October 11, 2024
The Neilah service is recited once a year. It’s full name, Neilat She’arim, means the closing of the gates, as Rav describes in the Talmud, the time when the heavenly gates are closing.
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