This week we read that Jacob blessed his children and grandchildren and so we likewise bless our children.  Cantor Talya Smilowitz joins me in offering insights and suggestions for why it might be meaningful to bless your own children using the tradition's formula.  For the words of the blessing visit ReformJudaism.org. 

The portion opens with the words "Jacob is settled," but the rest of the Torah is about how we become unsettled.  The same can be said for our lives.  As soon as we feel we have arrived, we become unsettled and must write a new story, a new Torah.

Esau offers forgiveness to his brother even though Jacob does not repent and acknowledge his wrong.  Perhaps we should emulate Esau more than Jacob.

Why does Rachel steal the family idol?  It is not because she wants to save her father from the sin of idolatry.  It is instead because she wants to hold on to the past.  Why is Jacob always running?  It is not because he is fleeing from Laban or Esau.  It is instead because he is impatient to write a new future.

A brief sermon about walking not to get somewhere but to discover something in our souls.  This lesson is drawn from the weekly Torah portion about Noah as well as Henry David Thoreau. 

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Yom Kippur morning.  In order to face present uncertainties we need to get angry and be joyful.

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur evening sermon.  Only change can ensure the Jewish people's survival.  We therefore must embrace change.

Rabbi Moskowitz's Yom Kippur Yizkor service meditation on what we learned from a year of Zoom shiva.

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from the second day of Rosh Hashanah.  He explores Jewish teachings about abortion rights.  Judaism prioritizes the mother's life.  To limit access to abortions is contrary to Jewish teachings.

Rabbi Moskowitz's sermon from Rosh Hashanah morning.  When it comes to climate change and the war on terror our best response is to change our perspective.

Return to Jewish Values, Part 3: The Need for Preserving Life.  Yom Kippur 2020 morning sermon about why we need to care for everyone's health and how best to approach the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Return to Jewish Values, Part 2: The Need for Soul Searching.  Yom Kippur 2020 evening sermon about the the need to do real, honest, communal soul searching.  Rabbi Moskowitz explores Black lives matter and Palestinian rights as two contemporary examples. 

Return to Jewish Values, Part 1: The Need for Community.  Rosh Hashanah 2020 morning sermon about why we need community more than ever.