This Shabbat before Passover is known as Shabbat HaGadol, the Great or Grand Shabbat. It is a partner to the Shabbat before Yom Kippur, Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat of Return or Repentance. For both of these special Shabbatot, somewhat unexpectedly, we do not take out a second Torah scroll and read an additional portion. Instead, we rely on the words of the Prophets through the...

From The Blogs at The Times of Israel “THE STATE OF ISRAEL will … guarantee freedom of religion” --Israel’s Declaration of Independence, 14 May 1948 / 5 Iyar 5708 For most Canadian Jews, Israel engages their concern, interest, passion and commitment far more than the birthplaces of whoever in the family immigrated to Canda in the first place.  Why? Because God...

It is Nisan, the beginning of Aviv - Spring, and my birthday month. (I was born on the second night of Pesach). I feel the weight of winter slowly lifting and the buoyancy that comes with tulips peaking through the earth. Pesach is almost here, and I know this because my colleagues are sharing where there are good deals on matzah.Usually at this time of the year, I splurge and take my car to get...

Beth Tzedec Bulletin - Spring EditionThe latest edition of the Beth Tzedec Bulletin is available for download. Let's celebrate, learn, pray and connect as a community with the many opportunities offered throughout our quarterly catalogue of programs, events and articles.Don't miss any of the news and excitement, including:An Evening with Idan Amedi (page 2);Beth Tzedec Trips to...

The last parsha of the book of Exodus, Pekudei, describes the concluding stages of the construction of the portable sanctuary. In it, Moses gives a detailed accounting of the expenditures involved, all the proceeds and use of the contributions. The opening verse (Exodus 38:21), which outlines the parsha, deserves examination.   אֵלֶּה...

The Jewish People’s Podcast spoke with Yizhar Hess, Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, about the World Zionist Congress. He explains how it shapes Jewish priorities, allocates billions in funding, and why every Jew should vote to influence the Jewish future. Don’t miss this conversation on why your voice matters!To listen, click here>>Save the date to Meet Yizhar Hess at...

The name and opening word of our parasha is vayakhel, meaning to gather. This moment in the Torah follows the sin of the Golden Calf and the resulting shame and punishment. God comes close to destroying the entire Jewish people before Moshe defends them and calms the divine wrath. Rashi points out that the word vayakhel is distinct from gathering things with our hands, but rather refers to...

By Bernie Gropper Shabbat Shalom. What a week to give a D’var Torah. There is so much happening here in Canada, in the U.S. and in Israel; we just completed the holiday of Purim, which is technically still going strong – albeit only within walled cities; and this week’s Parasha of Ki Tisa is chock full of action. This parasha is most easily explained by reference to a number of vivid...

Dear Friends, It is truly an honour to be serving Beth Tzedec during our 70th anniversary year.  As early as morning minyan begins, I still wake up every single day excited to do God’s work, whether it be preaching, teaching, supporting or comforting, in our vibrant and flourishing community. In honour of our 70th anniversary, we are delighted to announce that Beth Tzedec is...

Thursday I was in Ottawa to participate in the National Forum on Antisemitism. I’ll likely speak more about this on Shabbat morning and will write something for publication.What’s on my mind in preparing to be here today is the second verse from Parashat Tzetzaveh and a Hasidic Commentary from Iturei Torah.The verse is:בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵד֩ מִח֨וּץ לַפָּרֹ֜כֶת...

Parashat Terumah opens with God speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, commanding him in great detail regarding the construction of the mishkan (tabernacle), the portable dwelling place of God’s presence that the Israelites could transport, assemble, and disassemble during their journey through the desert. God continues, commanding Moses to acquire fifteen specific materials for the...

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the minister Arthur Dimmesdale, tormented by guilt, stands on the scaffold at night, shrouded in the mist and darkness. The mist reflects his inner turmoil and the secrecy surrounding his sin of adultery with Hester Prynne. In T.S. Elliot’s The Wasteland, London is shrouded in “brown fog,” representing the spiritual confusion of...

The Talmud (Taanit 5b) tells the story of a weary traveller who, after wandering through the desert, finds a remarkable tree. Its fruit is sweet, its shade comforting, and a stream flows beneath it, offering refreshment. The traveller enjoys the tree’s gifts and, before departing, wishes to bless it. But how? The tree already possesses everything it needs: sweet fruit, cool shade, and...

For the last three weeks, I led a series of Song Circles. What is a song circle, you might ask? The most obvious answer is that it is a group of people gathered to sing, and they do so while sitting in a circle. The facilitator brings a collection of songs and shares lyrics. In our case, lyrics were provided in English and Hebrew with both translations and transliterations - we want to make...

WHY SHOULD I REMEMBER BETH TZEDEC IN MY WILL?You care deeply about Jewish continuity and want to see Judaism flourish in your community. Beth Tzedec serves our community today and will continue to serve generations into the future. A legacy gift ensures that our synagogue remains a vibrant center of Jewish life for years to come.I AM NOT A WEALTHY PERSON. CAN MY GIFT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?Yes, every...