For those who were in services last week, I shared a little bit of my concern with the situation of a specific area of the Kotel (Western Wall), in Jerusalem. The main area of the Kotel has…
It is hard to believe, but this week I’ll celebrate that I moved to Arlington a year ago! While sheltering in place, fighting a pandemic, helping our household members to adapt to a new work or school…
First of all, I would love to express my gratitude to all of you who supported me this week, sharing beautiful messages on social media and privately on the occasion of my in-person rabbinic ordination, since last…
A very wise master once said:”Luke! You must complete the training.”Luke: “I can’t keep the vision out of my head. They’re my friends. I’ve got to help them.”Yoda: “You must not go!”Luke: “But Han and Leia will…
If I had to explain what Judaism is all about in one word, without a doubt I would say: Kedusha (Holiness). Last week we read parashat Kedoshim and this week we read parashat Emor. This section is…
My name is Caleb Malovany, and I’m in 4th grade. I go to religious school here at Etz Hayim, and over the years, I’ve learned a lot – including how to ask more questions! When I saw…
Q: In the second line of the Shemah we read, “And you shall love the Eternal your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” Got any ideas on what the…
Why do we cover our eyes when saying the Shemah at certain times, but not at others? Jews have a custom of covering our eyes while saying the Shemah (Deuteronomy Chapter 6, verses 4-9). We say the…