Rabbi Marc Rudolph’s Sermons

 In 1688 a Swiss physician named James Hofer coined the term “nostalgia” from the Greek “nostos” meaning “homecoming” and “algos” meaning “pain”. The syndrome was characterized by sadness and a…

 John M. Gottman is an American Psychologist renowned worldwide for his extensive research on marriage. He has spent over forty years developing measurements to predict who would become divorced and…

 The ideal of the blessed person in the Bible is to live long enough to see one’s grandchildren. For example, Psalm 128 concludes with the following blessing: “May G-d bless…

 In our Torah reading for this week Moses instructs the Israelites to set up stone pillars in the Land of Canaan after they cross the Jordan River. The stone pillars…

 This evening marks Rosh Chodesh Elul, the first day of the month of  Elul is the month when we begin our spiritual preparations for the Yamim Noraim – the Days…

 Our Cantor just sang the prayer, "Shalom Rav" set to music by Debbie Friedman, of blessed memory. Shalom Rav Al Yisrael Amekha means grant ABUNDANT peace to Israel, Your people. The…

 My colleague, Cantor Sandy Horowitz, shared an old Peanuts cartoon she dug up which aptly illustrates the relationship between Moses and the Jewish people after 40 years of leading them.…

Rabbi, would it be alright if I lit candles on Shabbat? At first glance, a strange question to be coming from a fellow Jew. What objection could a rabbi possibly…

James Tissot Spies Returning from CanaanOur parasha for this week is crucial to understanding the Exodus story. A mere two years out of Egypt, the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land.…

Depiction of the Menorahsketched in Maimonides' own hand.Our parasha for this week opens with the command that Aaron the High Priest is to be tasked with lighting the seven candles of…