Festivals archive
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Yom Kippur: Guaranteed happiness in 5783?
Transcript How can we all guarantee that we’ll be happy in 5783? Our Yom Kippur Kol Nidrei evening service commences with a verse from Psalm 97: “Ohr zarua letzadik, uleyishrei Read more... -
Is Rosh Hashanah on the wrong day?
Transcript: Do we celebrate Rosh Hashanah on the right day? In our davening on the New Year we proclaim, “HaYom harat olam!” – “This is the day on which Hashem Read more... -
Elul: I am for my Beloved
Transcript “I am for my Beloved and my Beloved is for me.” These beautiful words, authored by King Solomon in Shir HaShirim 6:3, in the orginal Hebrew, “Ani ledodi vedodi Read more... -
The Chief Rabbi’s D’var Torah for Shavuot and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Transcript There is a strong connection between the festival of Shavuot and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. On the festival, for our Torah reading, we will read from Parshat Yitro about Read more... -
Pesach: Are you thirsty without knowing it?
Transcript When are we thirsty without even knowing it? At our seder tables, we declare, “Kol dichfin yeitei v’yeichol. Kol ditzrich yeitei veyifsach.” – “Let all who are hungry come Read more... -
Shemini Atzeret: The conclusion we’ve been waiting for
Transcript: During the coronavirus pandemic, some of us have been missing conclusions. Due to restrictions for example, some graduation ceremonies have not taken place. School years have ended without an Read more... -
Succot: Fast asleep with your eyes wide open!
Transcript: It is possible to be fast asleep with your eyes wide open. This is how the Chatam Sofer explains a fascinating passage in the Gemara, Masechet Succah 13. There Read more... -
Yom Kippur: How can we rejoice when our fate is in the balance?
Transcript: How can we rejoice at the very moment when our fate is in the balance? This is exactly what happens on Yom Kippur. At the very time when, on Read more... -
Rosh Hashana: What Creation can teach us about New Year’s Resolutions
Transcript: As we approach Rosh Hashana, let us remember how Hashem created the world. In Parshat Nitzavim the Torah tells us (Devarim 30:14), “Ki karov eleicha hadavar me’od beficha uvilvavecha Read more... -
Shavuot: Which festival has the most surprising name?
Transcript Which festival has the most surprising name? For me, the answer is definitely Shavuot. Why do I say that? In Parshat Re’eh (Devarim 16:16), the Torah gives us the Read more...
