Do It With A Genuine Smile
Humanity, with all its remarkable achievements and intellectual prowess, remains inherently bounded by certain limitations. Even the most brilliant scientists or those who possess double Ivy League degrees in engineering find themselves reliant on professionals like accountants for tax assistance and doctors for medical diagnoses. This interdependence is a prevalent theme throughout the human lifecycle, vividly exemplified when a newborn depends entirely on their parents for sustenance and safety. As the infant matures and evolves, they embark on their unique journey towards success and personal development.
Standing with Israel
We find ourselves nearly a month into the tragic conflict between Israel and Gaza, which was provoked by the sadistic and bloodthirsty acts of Hamas terrorists. The horrors of that day weigh heavily on our hearts, and we continue to pray daily for the return of the hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas. We pray also for the swift and decisive success of the Israel Defense Forces, a quick resolution to the fighting, and a sustainable peace between Israel and Israel’s neighbors.
Succot with Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
During Rosh Hashanah, we meditated on our dreams, ambitions, and goals for the New Year. On Yom Kippur, we contemplated our imperfections, and we atoned for the ways in which we mistreated others. Between the two holidays, we ascertained what we wish to achieve, and we prayed on how we can aspire to be the best versions of ourselves. We were constantly looking inward and outward, reflecting and dreaming. Now, it is nearly time for Sukkot.
Parshat Ki Seitzei with Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
Recently, the Torah in Parshat Ki Seitzei teaches us about a fascinating law and the subject of appropriate moments for leniency. First, let us put the story in context. Unfortunately, there will be times in our history when we will need to go to battle to fight enemies who seek our demise and want to annihilate us.
Tisha B’Av- A Day of Growth
This year we commemorated Tisha B’Av, which began July 26th at nightfall, for a full 25 hours until the night of the 27th of July. It is a day of intense mourning and lamentation; we sit on low chairs, fast for the entirety of the day, read elegies and dirges, follow strict limitations on washing and rubbing ointments, and restrict the physical with our spouses. Overall, it is a very somber day when we grieve the loss of both the first and second Bais Hamikdash, our holy Temples.
The Three Weeks
The Three Weeks, commencing on July 5th at sundown this year, bear immense significance in Jewish history and observance. A fasting day, known as the 17th of Tammuz, falls on July 6th, commemorating five catastrophic events, including the breach of Jerusalem’s walls by the Romans. This event marked the onset of looting, burning, and murder within the city, plunging it into chaos
Summer Reflections from Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
As the summer heat envelops us, we are reminded of the challenges that often accompany this season and how they can easily distract and disrupt our lives. In our pursuit of productivity in our careers and nurturing meaningful relationships, we find ourselves facing the pressure to conform to societal expectations and the allure of scandalous narratives.
Sefirat Haomer
Pesach has ended. The matzah is cleared away, and the real carbs are back on the table. And what do Jews around the world begin to do? We count.
Kimcha D’Pischa
Kimcha D’Pischa (Wheat of Passover) is the custom before the Passover holiday of distributing monies to purchase wheat for the poor people. Today we fulfill this Mitzvah with giving charity to a fund that specifically helps the needy purchase food items for Passover.
Pesach 5783: With Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
Rabbi Yisroel Salanter (1809-1883) founded the Mussar movement, a stoic approach to Jewish self discipline and personal betterment.
A Piece of Purim
Purim begins on the evening of March 6th this year, just around the corner. It is a story of miracles masked as coincidence, of God’s love for his people disguised as good fortune, and of individual Jews fulfilling their destiny veiled as mere happenstance.
NOTHING IN YOUR LIFE
This song, originally composed for Ezer Mizion, a Jewish Bone Marrow Registry was composed by Abie Rotenberg and sung by Mordechai Shapiro. It’s a powerful song about sharing yourself to help friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and literally anyone you come in contact with, and that giving to others will make you significantly happier than anything else.
Parsha Vaeira with Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
This week’s Parsha, Vaeira, brings us to the story of the liberation of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, a story very familiar to those of us accustomed to hearing it around the Passover table year after year.
It’s All in the Name, by Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
This week, we move on to the Second Book of the Torah, known in Hebrew as Shemot, and in English as Exodus. This week’s parshah launches the enslavement of the Jewish people, a horrible, sadistic servitude that would last over two centuries. Through the back-breaking manual labor and the desecration of their dignity, the Jewish […]
The Benefits of Sweating, by Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh
This week’s parshah, Vayechi, begins with Jacob on his deathbed. The last great Patriarch of the Book of Genesis, Jacob, knows that the end is near. And he does what one might expect any patriarch to do in such a situation: He summons his sons before him to dispense wisdom, expectations, and prophecy.
Parshat Vayigash
What does it mean to be asked for forgiveness and to say no? What does it mean? What does it mean when someone begs you to absolve them of their wrongdoings, and you exercise your power to deny them that absolution? What does it mean when someone owes you a debt, and you refuse them […]
Don’t Throw the Towel In
This week’s parshah brings us the tales of two independent women – Women who have agency, creativity, cleverness, and decisiveness. These are not the first and certainly not the last powerful female characters we meet in the Torah, but they certainly serve as a potent reminder that our Jewish holy books value female intelligence, influence, and autonomy despite what contemporary attackers of traditional Judaism may say.
Parshat Chayei Sarah: Staying Focused In Tough Times
As the Torah progresses, we begin to hear more stories about humans interacting not just with God, but with other people and, by extension, the tremendous breadth and capacity that human beings have for kindness and cruelty.
The Pain of Leaving & The Triumph of Finding Yourself
By Rabbi Tzvi Alyesh Elon Musk officially became Lord Commander of Twitter this week, sending shockwavesthrough the planet. An app that limits our expression to 280 characters has changed hands, andthe ripples are felt and discussed (including on Twitter) by billions. Many claim to use Twitter asmerely a tool or a past time, but for […]
A Mitzvah A Day Keeps The Flooding Away
This week, we read the story of Noach, his family, the Great Flood, and the Ark that saved them. God felt the world as it was had lost its right to continue. But why? What was the mortal sin that left God compelled to flood the world and save Noach, his family, and select pairs of animals? Some say theft, some say adultery. I think we can find the answer right here in our home town of Denver.