The Midrash in Mishlei declares that when the Messiah comes, the festival of Purim will still be celebrated, and all the other festivals will be canceled. The Midrash adds that although all the other festivals will become obsolete, Yom Kippur will endure. But why is Purim so unique so that it will live on once … Continue reading “THE ETERNAL FESTIVAL OF PURIM”
Rabbi Dunner presents a delightful message about the lesson of Purim. Even though we may be different, Purim is about what makes us all the same.
There is an interesting disagreement between Rabbi Moshe Sofer and Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk regarding the festive meal for Purim that makes up for the seudah one has to miss on a Purim that falls on Shabbat. According to Rabbi Meir Simcha one can have the Seudah on Saturday night, while according to … Continue reading “DAY AND NIGHT (VIDEO)”
There is an interesting disagreement between Rabbi Moshe Sofer and Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk regarding the festive meal for Purim that makes up for the seudah one has to miss on a Purim that falls on Shabbat. According to Rabbi Meir Simcha one can have the Seudah on Saturday night, while according to … Continue reading “DAY AND NIGHT”
The First World War, said President Woodrow Wilson, was going to be “a war to end all wars.” He was totally wrong – and, as it turns out, a plagiarist; the turn of phrase was not even his. “The War That Will End War” was the title of a book by the British writer H.G. … Continue reading “FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED”
After exactly a year, Rabbi Dunner’s community has finally returned to their synagogue building, having closed the facility immediately after Purim last year in response to the dangers of COVID. Rabbi Dunner reflects on a difficult year for his community, although it was immeasurably enhanced by an open-air minyan at a synagogue member’s tennis court. … Continue reading “GETTING UP AND BEYOND (PODCAST)”
Earlier this week we moved back into our synagogue after a full calendar year of being unable to gather for services in our beautiful building. Truthfully, it is hard to believe that it’s been a whole year, but it has. Immediately after Purim last year the penny dropped, and we realized that a deadly virus … Continue reading “GETTING UP AND BEYOND”
“My late brother Benzi died in a car accident in 2008. Although he is principally remembered for his superlative philanthropy – and to be fair, his philanthropy was exceptional – my own recollections of him revolve around his incredible sensitivity and compassion.” Rabbi Dunner recalls his brother Benzi z”l, and his legacy that chimes with … Continue reading “MY BROTHER BENZI, AND HOW TO BE KIND (PODCAST)”
