Parashat Nitzavim/ VaYelekh 5780 Meir Sendor You would think this would be an easy choice: דברים פרק ל (יט) העדתי בכם היום את השמים ואת הארץ החיים והמות נתתי לפניך הברכה והקללה ובחרת בחיים למען תחיה אתה וזרעך: I…
We are All in this Together
Parashat Ki Teze 5780 Meir Sendor During this month of Elul we try to work on ourselves and our relationships with God and with each other in preparation for Rosh HaShanah. According to Rabbi David Abudarham (Abudarham, Tefillat Rosh HaShanah,…
New Normal
On Tuesday nights, August 25, September 1, 8, 15; 8PM Israel time The month of Elul, in preparation for Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, is dedicated to introspective self-improvement, and there are traditional Jewish meditation practices that can be…
Knowledge is Compassion
Parashat Re’eh 5780 Meir Sendor The pandemic is having devastating global impact on people’s livelihoods as well as health, and both aspects of the crisis are life-threatening. Israel finds itself struggling to balance the need to restrict social interaction to…
The Key to Our Hearts
Parashat Ekev 5780 Meir Sendor This week we celebrated the birthdays of two of our grandchildren and son with an intercontinental family video gathering at the Bagel & Locks Israel Quest. This is an interactive Israeli website featuring virtual journeys…
Where Art Thou?
Parashat Devarim, Shabbat Hazon 5780 Meir Sendor The Mishnah says “When the month of Av enters, decrease joyfulness (Ta’anit 4:6)” This year it won’t be much of a stretch to get in the mood – but will we get the…
Fast Times
Parashat Pinchas 5780 Meir Sendor The fast of the Seventeenth of Tammuz this Thursday starts the three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Temples and the two thousand year exile from the Land of Israel, our homeland, an…
Bless this Mess
Parashat Balak 5780 Meir Sendor The other day a large snake slithered across a corner of our garden and disappeared behind a bush, possibly slipping into a crevice in the stone wall. We only got a quick glimpse. It was…
The Heart of the Matter
Parashat Hukkat 5780 Meir Sendor There’s been a resurgence of the pandemic in Israel, and in many places around the world. The easing of restrictions to allow businesses to operate and people to earn a living has been necessary, and…
With Love and Compassion for All
Parashat Beha’alotkha 5780 by Meir Sendor In this week’s parashah Moshe Rabbenu asks for help leading the nation. In response, HaShem tells him to select a capable group of seventy elders, then arranges for them a collective prophetic experience. Why…
