Rabbi G is for Gratitude: Recent Episodes
Elimelech Goldberg
Freedom Doesn't Come Free
The Book of Exodus suggests ways to find multiple personal exits from bondage
Living at the End of Life
Vayechi ends Genesis but continues with a message for us today
The last hours of Chanuka and the cycle of our history merge at a time that we must dare to dream
This week Avraham, the great lover of all, joins an unlikely battle to rescue Lot who was kidnapped.
This week we read that the world was filled with Hamas - that was the evil that was destroying the human race. How to respond?
There is no time for darkness
A new beginning in the midst of an old story of death and hatred for Jews. A response...
When Close is Not Enough
This Shabbat we are setting the table for the New Year - We can't forget the servant pieces.
When Happiness is Life
Startling description of the tragedies of the Jewish People all because we weren't Happy??????
Shoftim - When washing your hands doesn't work
In this week's Torah reading we learn that you can't wash your hands from responsibility!
Red-face book - When malfunction is a life lesson
Red Face Book Revelations - How to learn from the unexpected
Am I My Brother's Zoo Keeper
Seeing Blessings and Curses forces us to use the eyes of others
Shabbat Chazon - It's about vision
The Shabbos before Tisha B'av always begins the Book of Devarim. Why?
Matot - Maasei. The beginning of the end
Maasei is about life journeys. Matot supplies the walking stick!
The Nose Doesn't Always Know Strange story that we keep reading every year, hoping that the spies will finally get it right.
Watching Your Mouth The Curse of Speech
The Blessings and the Curses of Bechukotai are placed in an interesting location.
Death Be Not Proud
Kohanim in particular are enjoined from being "contaminated by the dead"
When Every Day is Yom Kippur
Holiness is defined by boundaries and striving to reach beyond those very limits
Can a Leper Change His Spots?
The Power of Speech is extraordinary! Let's use it wisely.
It was the Shabbat Before Pesach and all through the house...
Pesach always follows a really great Shabbat!
The Golden Calf was plastic, no bull!
What is the connection between the collection of the coins in Ki Tisa and the sin of the Golden Calf?
Memories, How to Forget
In this special Shabbat we are commanded to remember to wipe out the memory of Amalek. But once that happens there should be nothing left to remember?
When In Laws are not Out Laws
The parsha of Yitro begins with some unsolicited advice. It should not have been needed.
You Don't Need Lipids to Harden Your Heart
Vaera's continuing story about the Exodus teaches an important lesson about Free Will! It is worth listening.
The Book of Shemot is about names but begins in anonymity. How does that help us find redemption today?
Vayigash and the "Oh My Gosh" Moment
Bitter sweet stories are all about opportunities. The key is to see beyond ourselves.
Surprises, the story of Chanuka and Miketz
Miketz, Chanuka and Life have a lot in common!
"Just Say No, Sort Of" Vayeishev is not about sitting out life.
Vayeishev sounds like a soap opera. Instead it is a manual for human greatness.
Mugged by an Angel?
Vayishlach describes the great battle between Yaakov and the angel of Eisav.
The Story of a Ladder - Does that rung a bell?
Jacob dreams of a ladder. Why are the angels ascending before descending?
My Uncle Irv Captured Europe
Toldot is about creating generational spiritual wealth. It starts with me.
Jack, Jill and the Hill - Here's the real story
Chayei Sarah contains the narrative of the introduction of the second of our four matriarchs. It starts with a nursery rhyme?
A personal story
Vayera is about walking up a mountain. It is about how Kids Kicking Cancer began.
Undefined pronouns and the secret of the Universe
Remember that Hebrew school rhyme? Mi is who, who is he, he is she? Sounds like modern gender issues but is anything but. Who is "he" is an important part of Lech Lecha.
Just "Babel"ing - Who is towering over whom?
The Story of the Tower of Babel is huge. What is it really about?
This is untimely
There is no time for us to think about no time - or the world of the infinite - Breishit does it for us.
When G-d is Everywhere
This is a special time of the year to recognize G-d's light in the darkest of places.
Fighting the Fight
We can spend a lot of time and effort fighting battles that may be more easy to overcome then we think.
Elul and Unboiling Eggs
You can unboil an egg if you understand that life is no yolk! The science of teshuva
Aikev - You Can Be a Heel and Still Have a Beautiful Sole!
How to create real balance in your life!
Vision
This could be the saddest Shabbat of the year. As the Ninth of Av, it represents the cumulative tragedies of our history. Yet, we are still obligated to fill this Shabbat with joy. How?
Journeys - Finding Your Way
As we begin the Nine Days that lead to Tisha B'av, the most tragic day on the Jewish calendar, we are also concluding the Book of Bamidbar, with the theme of travel. We are all journeying through life. It is important to recognize with Whom we are travelling.
Jewish Super Heroes
When is time for you to put on the cape and leotards and fly like a superhero?
G-d's Not on Mute - Your speaker is not plugged in
G-d does not go on mute. He is always talking. Unfortunately, you can't hear if your are not plugged in.
Light My Fire
The Menorah is a symbol of the light of our soul. How do we keep it burning?
Walking In His Ways - Is there a GPS
Life is filled with blessings and curses. How do we navigate the path?
The Price of Tea in China
Connect to a mountain in a Torah reading that teaches us about pulling back to enjoy the view.
Moving Heaven and Earth
The Torah describes the Holiest Day of the Year only after retelling a story of tragic death. What's in it for me?
Angry with G-d?
When tragedy strikes, what response allows us the best personal outcomes?
Freedom Calls - The Spirit of Ukrania
The Battle against Putin is a call to freedom that is invoked by the power of this story.
Rabbi G. Arrested at Vatican?
How I almost ended up on the floor in the Papal Palace with Pope Francis. Does this connect to Parshat Vayakhel?
My Granddaughter's Wedding
I am in Miami where we have been celebrating the wedding of our oldest granddaughter. This week we continue the story of the Tabernacle. Lots to compare.
Popeye In The Parsha
A life filled with crushing events creates an even brighter light!
The Altar Was Wheelchair Accessible
How we can ramp up our lives and avoid the danger of steps
The Top Ten List Pre Letterman
The accounting of the ten commandments may need a new audit.
Moses and Houdini - The Great Escape Artists
The key to freedom dwells within. Understanding this message can change your life.
It's About Time
Why is the first commandment given to the Jewish People in Egypt concern the creation of a calendar?
Burden Busting - A Life Message
The four languages of redemption hold a hidden meaning for all of us
Searching With Your Eyes Closed
We often don't see the real people around us. It's time to open our eyes!
I Am My Brother's Creeper
It would seem at first glance that Yosef turns vengeful as he creeps his brothers out. He imprisons them, entraps them and taunts them. But was he not aware of the pain he was also causing his beloved father?
Brotherly Love Can Be Deadly
Another challenge of brothers ready to destroy interrupted by a most unusual station identification
Yaakov in the Bronx
Our patriarch gets "mugged" by an angel but holds his own through the battle.
Is our heel important to our sole?
The ongoing story of a patriarch named after a body part.
Another Sara
Today is the 40th yartzeit of our daughter Sara Basya a"h. She was born and died on Chaya Sara.
Knowing is Everything
What does this week's parsha say about what we feel vs. what is real?
You're Out of Here! - What a Welcome?
The very first words to Avraham served as an eviction notice. Is that the way to introduce the Father of the Jewish People?
The Raven - The Black bird of Paradise?
Why does Noah decided to first send a raven to check out the world?
Garden of Eden - Hours of Perfection
According to tradition, the entire sojourn in the Garden of Eden lasted only a few hours? Why all of the fuss creating Eden for such a short time.
Shabbos Shuva holds the focus of what it means not to have to wait to return to what we could be.
If you move faster than the speed of light, the laws of physics will allow you to go backwards in time. We call it the Ten Days of Teshuva.
Before there was Tik Tok, there was Hee Haw - messaging delivered via donkey. Check out this week's Torah reading straight from the horse's (donkey) mouth.
This Shabbat Chazon could be different. It might take a little pain. But pain for us produces something when we can think about where we are and where we need to grow.
One week after the saddest day of the Jewish Year we are immersed in finding love and happiness. What is it about?
How we judge others and ourselves is part of the growth opportunities before Rosh Hashana