• Lessons from the Kohen and Moshe

    In this week’s Torah portion, Emor, we read of the Kohen and the many rules to which he must subscribe, above and beyond those of a regular Israelite. In addition to not becoming impure by a dead body and limitations on who he can marry, the Torah says: “Speak to Aaron and say: No man…

  • Rabbi Abraham Magence and Rabbi Phillip Rabinowitz

    In 1996, I went to St. Louis to be the Rabbi at the Hillel at Washington University. Near the university was one of St. Louis’ oldest Orthodox shuls, Bais Abraham, dating from 1894. During my time at Hillel I was a congregant at Bais Abraham, and its rabbi, Rabbi Abraham Magence, was my rabbi. After…

  • The Sefirah

    Time is central to many mitzvot and elements of Jewish life.  We pray at specific times of day, the holidays are called moadim which means “times”, and seasons of year even have specific textures relating to their holidays, such as freedom, introspection, joy, etc.   When we think about what time is though, we are at…

  • Lessons from Rabbi Akiva’s Students

    Our Parsha, Emor, continues with the theme of holiness from last week’s Parsha.  This week we read about the holiness of the Kohanim and of the holidays and Shabbat which are called mikraey kodesh, “times of holiness”.   We are also in the midst of the counting of the Omer, a period that in Mishnaic…