Monthly Archives: September 2017

Yom Kippur 5778

Posted on September 28, 2017 by igplotzk

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year, the day on which our fates for the coming year, which had been written in a book on Rosh Hashanah, are sealed. [Even medieval rabbis interpreted this metaphorically.  And there’s a grace … Continue reading →

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Rosh Hashanah, Ha’azinu (Deut. 32:1-32:52), Shabbat Shuvah

Posted on September 19, 2017 by igplotzk

Wednesday night is the start of Rosh Hashanah, signaling the beginning of the year 5778 (and Year Nineteen of Torah Portion Humor!  WOOHOO!!!) and of the Ten Days of Penitence that culminate with Yom Kippur.  You’re supposed to ask forgiveness … Continue reading →

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Nitzavim-Vayeilekh (Deut. 29:9-31:30)

Posted on September 15, 2017 by igplotzk

This is a time of transition on many fronts.  School has started.  The leaves are starting to fall.  At Selichot services tomorrow night, special penitential prayers and poems (selichot) will be chanted in High Holy Day mode as we the … Continue reading →

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Ki Tavo (Deut. 26:1 – 29:8)

Posted on September 8, 2017 by igplotzk

  We are in the middle of the month of Elul, a time for cheshbon ha-nefesh, a personal accounting as the High Holy Days approach.   At my shul, the Ark is now covered in a white curtain, rather than the … Continue reading →

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Ki Tetse (Deut. 21:10 – 25:19)

Posted on September 1, 2017 by igplotzk

For a change, the storm that occupies our attention this week is physical, not metaphorical.  The description by one Texas official of Harvey as a one-in-1000-years storm I fear is not the case.  But, as in most disasters, we get … Continue reading →

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