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Hin'ni — a Kavanah on Rosh Hashanah

Hin’ni.” Here I am. Why does our liturgy feature this kavanah, this intention-setting prayer, as a gateway to the repetition of the Amidah? It seems to fit on Yom Kippur, but why do we also recite…

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Did you hear what Mordechai did?

The Purim story reminds us to use our words carefully. Think Purim is only about pastry, fun, alcohol, and noise? Read on. 

In chapter 3, Haman doesn’t notice that Mordechai won’t bow and scrape—until the courtiers tell him. Only then…

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Be Like the Sun

From the start of Adar, we increase joy. Mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simchah. משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה [Taanit 29a] 

Adar is the month of Purim—a time of light and joy. Yet sometimes we might not feel so joyous. Maybe…

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Soften and Bend

On the 8th night of Chanukah a group of friends gathered in our home to light the candles, sing the songs, play with spinning toys, talk, and eat. Together we lit 15 chanukiot, each with 8 lights plus 1…

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