Festivals

Chanukah - Beware The Simplifies

Chanukah what's the central conflict, how should we look at the cultural challenge of the Greeks?
All BAD?
Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch gives us a nuanced approach.
That does justice both to the challenge back then, as well as to our ability to grow today.
 
Rav Hirsch On Chanukah 

Sukkot - Equality or Equity?

In today's society, it is often all too easy to assume we have all the answers to the problems plaguing our society. Poverty, unfairness, and unequal distribution are difficult concepts to come to terms with, and rightfully so, since as a nation tasked with being a 'Light On To The Nations' we don't take other people's suffering lightly. In a fascinating elucidation on the Sukkah, the festive booth Jews dwell in in the coming holiday, Rav Hirsch sheds light on the true Jewish perspective on social living. 
 
Rav Hirsch On Sukkot 

Shavuot - rejection of divine worship

Shavuot - rejection of divine worship, with the upcoming festival as our background we do a deep dive into some of the most commonly used religious concepts and show how they can be misused. 
also the Quote From Rav Hirsch "I would provisionally close all synagogues for a hundred years" explained

The Pesach Bill of Rights

This week we take a radically different approach to a bone we have on our Seder plate, a principle that stands at the root of our identity both as a Jew and a human being.
 
Rav Hirsch On Pesach

Purim - Structure to make it meaningful

We often hear the cleshay, how Purim was the historical attacks on the Jewish people's physical existence as opposed to Chanukah where the fight was for our spirit. But how does this fit into a greater theme of the Jewish year
 
Rav Hirsch On Purim

Yom Kippur - Confession not to Man or God

Yom Kippur - Confession not to Man or God
Jewish high holiday discussion what do we mean by confession? 
 

Rosh Hashanah - Meaning Neglected

Rosh Hashanah - Meaning Neglected
we go though some fundamental issues people have with the high holidays and an approach to the Shofer I found truly powerful
have a wonderful new year

Shavuot - The Rejection of Religion

in this weeks discussion in preparation for the day of Shavuot, we go thought Rav Hirsch's description of how this day with its unique character displays the uniqueness of the Jewish worldview.

Pesach 2 - The Journey Forth

Pesach - The Biblical Magna Carta