- 06, 23, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Thoughts and Prayers Parshas Behaalos’cha
A few weeks ago, we had a lecturer here talk about gun control and Jewish law. I do not plan on rehashing any of the arguments for or against – it’s a really loaded topic. Pun intended. I do want to talk about something that does come up in the context of gun control and more »
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- 06, 16, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Get a Torah Fitbit! Erev Shavuos
So a little while ago, I went to the doctor and he told me I have to get some more exercise. I thought to myself, no big deal, I do exercise. I play roller hockey every once in a while. It’s a fast-paced game, great cardio workout – I’ll just play more often. But it more »
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- 06, 16, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Making of a Sports Dynasty… and a Gadol Parshas Nasso
Mazel Tov to all Torontonians on the Toronto Raptors winning the NBA finals! What’s amazing is that it’s not just Toronto celebrating the Raptors win. All of Canada thinks the Raptors play for them! What’s ironic is that we are the same Canadians who get so upset when someone’s like, “Oh, you’re from Toronto, do more »
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- 06, 02, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Yerushalayim: a Gift and a Responsibility Parshas Bechukosai
In the year 1263, Nachmanides, Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, the undisputed leader of world Jewry, was forced to debate Pablo Christiani, an apostate Jew, and defend our faith. The debate took place in Spain and was orchestrated by King James, who promised Nachmanides that he would have complete freedom of speech. Nachmanides, otherwise known as more »
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- 05, 07, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Who will Write our History? We will! Parshas Acharei Mos
Imagine for a moment that the gun had not jammed. Imagine for a moment that his aim at Rabbi Goldstein had been more precise. Imagine for a moment that a former combat veteran had not been in attendance. Those are but some of the thoughts that crossed many of our minds after hearing of the more »
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- 04, 07, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Cleaning for Pesach with Joy
So I’ve been cleaning for Pesach here in the shul, and let me tell you there is a lot of crazy stuff that’s left around here. I started in the fridge room to throw away all the accumulated food that’s expired that’s been sitting in our fridge. While there, I found a bottle of ‘Baltimore’s more »
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- 04, 01, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Young (of Heart) vs. Old
There seems to be endless talk about division these days. Whether it’s those fighting tooth and nail over the future of Britain, the vicious campaigning for the upcoming elections in Israel, or the widening gulf between Republicans and Democrats here in America, there are no shortage of ideas or values that are ripping us apart. more »
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- 03, 20, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Scroll/ Don’t Scroll Parshas Zachor
This is usually the Shabbos where we try to keep things light, it’s the Shabbos before Purim, a time of joy and happiness. This year was not supposed to be an exception; I had big plans of going all out today. But as I walked into my office on Friday morning to collect my thoughts, more »
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- 03, 05, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
Reflections (edited) Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei
I’m still flying high from this past weekend. That was a really nice Shabbos, no? My favorite part? I didn’t have to speak. But to make up for it, today, I’d like to share with you, not one, but three different ideas. They’re actually reflections from this past weekend that I’ve been thinking about all more »
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- 02, 16, 2019
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- By Rabbi Motzen
- Rabbi’s Blog, Sermons
An Open Letter to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar Parshas Tetzaveh
Over the past few weeks, there has been a number of “unfortunate” remarks made by new members of Congress. Most recently, Ilhan Omar, a congresswoman representing Minnesota’s 5th district, retweeted a comment by Glenn Greenwald, a consistent critic of the State of Israel. Greenwald had criticized American politicians for caring more about Israel than the more »
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Daily, following shacharis service: halacha of the day, followed by class in Chassidic thought
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- G-d is always with you – even in sin (Tzidkas HaTZadik #179)