Words From the Rabbi | Temple B'nai Israel

2 days ago6 min read

Thoughts on Thanksgiving

Next Thursday, we join with people of all backgrounds in our national day of Thanksgiving. This year has indeed been a difficult one for...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Nov 155 min read

Thoughts on the Rabbis United Conference

A few weeks back, I received a call from a colleague in New York, Rabbi Matthew Abelson, the Executive Director of a group called Rabbis...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Nov 155 min read

Thoughts on Post-Election Star-Gazing

This week, so many among us are deeply upset and concerned by the results of the national election. While some folks may be pleased by...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Nov 16 min read

Thoughts on the End of the Fall Holiday Season

Last Thursday and Friday we celebrated the concluding days of our annual Fall holidays, marking the festival of Shemini Atzeret (the...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Oct 24 min read

Thoughts on the Eve of Rosh Hashanah

As we conclude this year of tragedy, loss, and destruction – truly “a year with its curses” and pray for the new year to bring blessing,...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Sep 215 min read

Thoughts on Telling Our Story

As we approach the High Holidays, we also are nearing the end of our annual cycle of Torah readings. We are in the final chapters of the...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Sep 137 min read

Thoughts on Love of Neighbor and Others

One of the most bizarre claims that has been making the rounds in extreme right-wing circles and was cited by the Republican candidate...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Sep 66 min read

Thoughts on Empty Chairs

Nearly 60 years have passed since Eli Weisel’s visit to the Soviet Union in September 1965, which prompted his report on Soviet Jewry,...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Aug 306 min read

Thoughts on Tu B’Av – The 15th of Av

Re-posted from the Rabbi's words 8/16/2024 Thoughts on Tu B’Av – The 15th of Av This week the annual period of mourning, the three weeks...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Aug 305 min read

Thoughts on Humanitarian Issues at a Political Convention

Re-posted from the Rabbi's words 8/23/2024 Like many of you, I suspect, as I’ve watched portions of the Democratic National Convention...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Aug 308 min read

Thoughts on Elul

This week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, we observe Rosh Chodesh as we begin the month of Elul. This is a month dedicated to preparation for...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Aug 94 min read

Thoughts on Tisha B’Av and Hope

Thoughts on Tisha B’Av and Hope This week, on Monday evening and Tuesday, we observe the major fast day of Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Jul 224 min read

Thoughts on Divine Intervention

In a satirical piece on a miraculous splitting of a river to allow a group of God’s favorites to cross on dry land, Mark Twain remarks on...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Jul 127 min read

Thoughts on Giyur (Conversion to Judaism)

I have often noted that, if one gets technical about it, there is really no such thing as “Juda-ism.” It is a convenient catchall term,...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Jul 54 min read

Thoughts on the 248th Anniversary of U.S. Independence

I hope you all had an enjoyable Fourth of July holiday. This is one festival on the American calendar which truly provides an...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Jun 287 min read

Thoughts on the “Lord’s Prayer” and Jewish Liturgy

Thoughts on the “Lord’s Prayer” and Jewish Liturgy Most of us who went to public school prior to the decision of the Supreme Court in...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Jun 217 min read

Thoughts on Prayer Thoughts

Six years ago, at the urging of our then Membership and Publicity Chair, I was asked to write a weekly piece for our Facebook page and...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

Jun 76 min read

Thoughts on Rainbows and Revelation

After the Flood in Noah’s day, a great rainbow appeared in the sky. We read in Genesis that God told Noah, “I have set my bow in the...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

May 3110 min read

Thoughts on Anti-Semitism Past and Present

I was very pleased to see on Wednesday that the Chicago Board of Rabbis presented its annual Rabbi Mordecai Simon Award to Rabbi Anna...

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Rabbi Edward Friedman

May 247 min read

Thoughts on Lag BaOmer

It seems that this is the season for remembrance, a time to recall those who have fallen in battle as well as those whose lives ended...

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