Do we have to forgive? There’s a story in the Talmud (Ta’anit 2a-b) that says that Rabbi Elazar ben Shimon once insulted a man – called him ugly. And then immediately realized that he had done wrong. He got down off his donkey and pleaded for forgiveness. He said, “נַעֲנֵיתִי לְךָ, מְחוֹל לִי! – IContinueContinue reading “Do We Have to Forgive? Lessons From a Gourd Plant”
Tag Archives: High Holy Days
“As the Waters Cover the Sea”: A Prayer for Peace and Humanity
This is the sermon that I delivered on Yom Kippur morning 5785 (2024) at Am Shalom Congregation in Barrie, Ontario. This poem is called “Birkat Shalom – Blessing of Peace” by Marcia Falk נשאל מעין השלוםיזל כטליערף כמטר השלוםותמלא הארץ שלוםכמים לים מכסים Let us ask of the wellspring of peace:May peace drip like dew,AndContinueContinue reading ““As the Waters Cover the Sea”: A Prayer for Peace and Humanity”
How To Be a Prophet: A Sermon for Yom Kippur 2023
This is the sermon I delivered on Kol Nidrei 5784/2023 at Kol Ami Congregation in Thornhill, Ontario. How to be a prophet.Part 1: Nobody wants to be a prophet. Picture this: It’s festival time in ancient Jerusalem. You’re walking down the street, dressed in your finest. Leading your goat to the Temple for your sacrifice.ContinueContinue reading “How To Be a Prophet: A Sermon for Yom Kippur 2023”
Stop and See: A Sermon for Rosh Hashanah 5784
Derlivered on Rosh Hashanah Morning 2023 at Congregation Kol Ami, Thornhill, Ontario. Let me ask you a question: Have you looked at the sky today? The story is told that once the great Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav was looking out his window and he noticed one of his disciples, Chaim, rushing down the street towardContinueContinue reading “Stop and See: A Sermon for Rosh Hashanah 5784”
Rabbi Micah Streiffer 