Drash for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 5787
Shemini Atzeret is kind of the middle child of the Sukkot holiday cycle. It is a separate holiday that comes after the final day of Sukkot and before Simchat Torah.
The word Atzeret usually means assembly, but in the context of the holiday it is understood to mean something like to retain or hold back.
It is a day of restraint a...
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https://medium.com/@chucklightner/parashat-balak-0c31bc1a5ce8?sk=9512d58e6dd50ecf5b248e3682b7f831
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This prayer was created in response to a perceived need to acknowledge challenges to mental, emotional, and psychological health in a way that is not explicit in the standard prayers of Jewish siddurim. It was developed in conversation with participants in the Shabbat Morning Minyan of Temple EmanuEl of Westfield, New Jersey.
Prayer for Mental and Psychological Wellbeing
BLESSED ARE YO...
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This article was first posted on Medium.com
https://medium.com/@chucklightner/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-golden-calf-story-e55277bafd98