- 04, 05, 2017
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Creating our Spiritual Bucket Lists Parshas Vayikra
George, a doctoral candidate at the University of California in 1939, arrived late for his graduate-level statistics class and found two problems written upon the blackboard. He assumed it was a homework assignment, so he jotted them down and a few days later, he solved them. When he finally finished the homework assignment, he brought more »
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- 03, 27, 2017
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Lost In A Crowd Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei
I’d like to warmly welcome the high school students from the Rae Kushner Yeshiva Academy. These young men and women are here in town because they will be spending the next three days in Washington at this year’s AIPAC policy conference. I cannot commend you enough for coming here. The rest of you have to more »
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- 03, 06, 2017
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Anti-Semitism Parshas Terumah
A colleague of mine was once asked what the difference is between an anti-Semite and a self-hating Jew? It’s simple, he said, an anti-Semite will say, “I hate Jews, they’re terrible people. They cheat, they lie, they leech on society and they run all the news outlets.” But then you ask this anti-Semite, “But what more »
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- 02, 25, 2017
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Ignoring Cries, Silent Cries, and Prevented Cries Parshas Mishpatim
This morning I’d like to share with you three stories; the names and details have been changed and you will quickly see why. I received an email from CHANA, Baltimore’s Jewish center for abuse prevention, informing me that February has been designated as abuse awareness month in our community. The email concluded with a request more »
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- 01, 16, 2017
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
The Private Life, The Personal Life Parshas Vayechi
Dedicated in the merit of a speedy recovery for Dina Baila bas Perl “Yes, We Did!” was the headline of the New York Times coverage of President Obama’s farewell address. They were referring to his closing words, after reviewing all the change that took place over the course of his eight years in the Oval more »
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- 01, 11, 2017
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Israel, UN, and the Obama Administration: Facts, Fictions, and Feelings Parshas Vayigash
A week and a half ago, a group of us in shul completed a book that we have been studying for almost two years, the Kuzari, a masterpiece written in the 11th century, by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi. Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi is one of the staunchest Zionists to have lived; in his writings he elevates the more »
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- 12, 28, 2016
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Jews Vs. Greeks Revisited Parshas Vayeishev
What would you do in the following scenario? There is a city, a small walled city filled with men, women, and children. Outside those walls, there is an army, a mighty powerful army that is besieging this city. Their plan, very clearly is to break down the walls of the city and rob, pillage, violate, more »
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- 12, 19, 2016
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Facing Our Challenges_Parshas Vayishlach
Mazel Tov! Mazel Tov! What a joyous day! We have an upcoming wedding between Adam Miller and Devorah Drebin, Mazel Tov! And Gabe Heyman’s Bar Mitzvah – Gabe, you did a wonderful job up there! Mazel Tov to your proud parents, Andrea and Bill, and proud grandparents, Teresa, Stanley, and Marilyn. At the conclusion of more »
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- 12, 05, 2016
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Jewish Naivite Revisited Parshas Toldos
In March 13, 1976, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm delivered a sermon titled, The Jewish Naiveté: A Purim Story All Year. Many of the ideas below are based on that sermon. All I’ve really added is an update. I’d like to warmly welcome the middle school girls of Berman Academy to our shul, it’s great to more »
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- 11, 14, 2016
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Reflection on the Election – Parshas Lech Lecha
This past Wednesday, at services in Ner Tamid, there was some heated debate. After speaking to colleagues, I found out that the same debate took place in shuls all over the country. After the silent Amidah, some argued that we should recite Hallel in thanksgiving for a Trump victory. Others argued that we should say more »
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