By Salomon Gruenwald on December 24th, 2011
Parashat Miketz 5772
24 December 2011
I want to begin by thanking you all for your kind words and your generous condolences on the passing of my grandmother, Rebeca Korngold. I dedicate my d’var Torah to her today.
I was so encouraged by the numerous cards and emails and phone messages that I found upon my return to Colorado. Yet it is difficult for me to be on the receiving end of condolences. It is challenging for me to be seen in this way.
It’s been a tough several weeks for me and my family. We got back from California last Friday and I had to hit the ground running since Rabbi Dollin went on Sabbatical as of Sunday… and I’ve been in a pretty terrible mood. But I kept telling myself, I was OK. Even at Shiva, I thought I was OK; when, in fact, I realize now that I was masking my sadness. Reflecting on my awful mood this week, I realized that I’ve been hiding. I’ve been concealing myself… and this sort of behavior is a pattern for me. Continue reading The Masks We Wear →
By Salomon Gruenwald on October 20th, 2011
Shmini Atzeret (Yizkor) 5772
It always seems strange to me that we say Yizkor on the three pilgrimage festivals. Historically, it hasn’t always been this way. Yizkor originated in the middle ages to commemorate those who were slaughtered by marauding bands during the Crusades. Back then it was recited only on Yom Kippur; but, eventually, Yizkor was expanded into a memorial for all of our loved ones and became part of the liturgy for the concluding days of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. But there’s a tension in that choice. On the one hand, the festivals are intended to be joyous occasions. Indeed, we are commanded by the Torah to rejoice and feast on the holidays (see Deut. 16:13-15). Sukkot is known as zman simchateinu… it is considered the most joyous of the festivals. On the other hand, we have yizkor – a service that brings to mind sadness, nostalgia, and sometimes painful memories. The Torah says we are to have nothing but joy on the holidays, yet we have a service that is so sad. Continue reading Gilad Shalit – Celebration and Anxiety →
By Salomon Gruenwald on October 15th, 2011
Shabbat Hol Ha-Mo’ed Sukkot 5772
Have you ever had to explain sukkot to a non-Jewish friend or co-worker? It’s not easy… sukkot is probably our strangest holiday. The symbols and practices of sukkot must seem really weird to an outsider. You sit in a hut for a week and shake some leaves and a bumpy lemon around in what must seem like a primitive fertility dance (that’s because it kind of is). But, As difficult as it can be to explain to others, Sukkot is my favorite holiday. I love the rich symbolism and the rituals. Most of all, I love the sukkah itself. My family and I love building the sukkah and we thoroughly enjoy spending time in it.
I take a lot of pride in my sukkah even though building it every year is a big ordeal. I know Rabbi Dollin wrote an article in the Highlights singing the praises of the pre-fab sukkah that his kids can click together in 30 minutes. I’ve got nothing against that I’m all for anything that makes observance easier; but when it comes to my sukkah, I’m very old-fashioned. I build it out of wood using tools. Every year I get faster at building it, but it still takes at least 4-5 hours to erect…. And I love it, splinters and all. My kids love it too. Building the sukkah is a big deal in my house and when it’s all done and people come over and see it, I have to admit I take a lot of pride in my old-fashioned sukkah. Continue reading Occupy the Sukkah! →
