This week’s parsha, like much of Leviticus, deals with boundaries: what is pure or impure for a priest; whom a cohen can marry; which animals are fit for sacrifice and which are not. We have a religious tradition that is very concerned with boundaries. Every culture and group has them. Boundaries are one of the [...]
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, [...]
Parashat Massei 5771 / July 30, 2011 I vaguely remember an ad campaign back in the 1980s sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism with the slogan “Israel is Real.” Like most commercials for tourism to Israel, it depicted beautiful scenery and ancient landmarks, but it also featured Israelis living their lives – couples walking [...]
Parashat Shemini (Shabbat Parah) 5771 Life, at times, has a way of leaving us dumbstruck… silent. That’s how I’ve been feeling lately. As I read and watch the news, I’m left silent. There is so much going on in the world right now… so many people in so many different places are suffering and struggling. [...]
Parshat Devarim 5770 Events taking place in Israel threaten to further disenfranchise non-Orthodox Jews. We should not be afraid to offer loving rebuke backed up by real substance. This Shabbat we begin reading from the Book of Deuteronomy – Sefer Devarim. The entire book of dvarim consists of a series of sermons that Moses gave [...]
Rabbi Salomon Gruenwald has served as the Associate Rabbi of Congregation HEA in Denver, CO since his ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles in 2008. He also serves as a volunteer chaplain with the Denver Police Department. He and his spouse, Melanie Gruenwald, have three children.
