Recent Sermons
The Light of Hope – A Weekly Letter From Rabbi Davis – December 7, 2018
Shalom Chaverim, Our news cycle has moved on, but I continue to think of the tragic wildfires that recently engulfed California. Even as I recall images of people fleeing the flames, even as I think of those who perished, one image sticks in my mind. It is charred hills of the Jewish summer camp, Hess Kramer. While no one was hurt, most of the camp’s...
read moreCrowned with Brotherhood? – A Weekly Letter from Rabbi Alexander Davis – November 16, 2018
Shalom Chaverim, We are commanded in the Torah, “do not hate your brother in your heart” (Lev. 19:17). Why does the Torah refer to hatred “in your heart?” It could have simply said, “Do not hate your brother.” Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, in his Book of Jewish Values explains, “categorically prohibiting dislike would not end it, but would just drive the enmity underground- into the heart.”...
read moreDespite Pittsburgh – A Weekly Letter From Rabbi Alexander Davis – November 9, 2018
Shalom Chaverim Shortly after the attack on Tree of Life, I convened a beit din for a conversion candidate. This is one of the final steps in the conversion process. The candidate comes before a panel of rabbis and is asked questions to probe their desire and sincerity. In this case, the first question was obvious: “Given the news about Pittsburgh and the rise of...
read moreWords of Hate. Words of Hope.
Words of Hate. Words of Hope Chayei Sarah 25 Cheshvan 5779 | November 3, 2018 Rabbi Alexander Davis “Come in. Why do you remain outside?” Lavan said. “I have made ready the house and a place for the camels.” So, Eliezer entered the house, and the camels were unloaded. Lavan gave the camels straw and feed and brought water to bathe his feet. But when...
read moreHolding Fast to the Tree of Life
Holding Fast to the Tree of Life 25 Cheshvan 5779 | November 3, 2018 Rabbi Alexander Davis David Rosenthal, 54, and Cecil Rosenthal, 59 were brothers and roommates in a home for adults with intellectual disabilities. They were the regular Shabbat greeters. Bernice Simon, 84, and Sylvan Simon, 86 were married at the Tree of Life Congregation in 1956 in a candlelight ceremony. Daniel Stein, 71...
read moreMorality and the Jewish State – A Weekly Letter From Rabbi Davis – October 19, 2018
Shalom Chaverim Is the Torah the sole source of morality or are there moral voices independent of, even in contradiction to, the word of God? This essential question of religious life has been debated for thousands of years and it continues to be relevant. For example, new sensitivities around gender, sexuality, pluralism, tolerance of the other, etc. challenge traditional religious moral codes and law. Where...
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