Yacov Fruchter reflects on Adam’s first encounter with darkness, drawing lessons about feeling emotions deeply, taking responsibility, and finding resilience through connection. Just as Adam and Eve endured the night together until the sun rose...

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin calls for a long-overdue apology to Canadian Jews. While past governments have issued apologies for harms done to other communities, Jewish Canadians have yet to receive a full reckoning. Drawing on Maimonides’ four ste...

Rabbi Steven Wernick addresses the challenges of balancing sanctuary with security in today’s world, particularly during the High Holy Days. He acknowledges the fear many people carry—fear for personal safety, the survival of Israel, the rise o...

Rabbi Steven Wernick addresses the often-raised question of why synagogues engage in political discourse, especially around complex issues like Canadian foreign policy and Israel. Drawing on this week’s parsha and the Jewish tradition of moral ...

 Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on how we remember—through technology, artefacts, rituals, and our senses—and how Jewish tradition transforms memory into an active, living experience. From counting the Omer to reciting Yizkor, sh...

Professor Benjamin Sommer explores a pivotal idea in this week’s Torah reading: that God’s law, though sacred and foundational, is not static—it evolves through dialogue with the people. Through examples in Leviticus and Numbers, he demonstrate...

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the emotional and halachic dynamics of the parent-child relationship, drawing from the fifth commandment and personal anecdotes. She reminds us that while love is often felt, Jewish tradition commands action...

Rabbi Steven Wernick draws spiritual clarity from the Torah’s laws of tzara’at—often mistranslated as leprosy—highlighting how true healing begins when we see the whole person, not just their affliction. He reflects on Canada’s political and so...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the tragic story of Nadav and Avihu, whose "strange fire" reminds us that intent alone is not enough—boundaries, reverence, and responsibility are essential for holiness and for safeguarding society. Drawing par...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the enduring impact of those we’ve lost—public figures and personal mentors alike—and how their legacies shape who we become. Excerpt from Pesach services April 20, 2025 · Beth Tzedec Congregation · Toronto, Can...

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the transformative moment of the Red Sea splitting, not as a passive miracle, but one catalyzed by human courage and initiative. She emphasizes that redemption requires both divine partnership and human action, espe...

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the four Seder cups, reframing them through Joseph’s turbulent journey—marked by highs, lows, and comebacks. Like Joseph, we face setbacks, but with faith, we rise. The cups remind us that even in chaos, the...

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on her journey to making Torah accessible and personally meaningful, emphasizing that true connection to Judaism happens when individuals claim and teach Torah in their own way. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services Ap...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the Torah’s insistence on transparency and communal accountability, beginning with Moses’ detailed financial record of the Mishkan’s construction. Drawing striking parallels to today’s political landscape—from I...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on Parashat Vayakhel as a blueprint for unity following division, drawing parallels between the Israelites’ recovery from the sin of the golden calf and today’s fractured Jewish world. He urges a return to shared p...

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the visibility of Jewish identity, exploring the tension between outward expression and internal commitment. She shares her personal journey of choosing to wear a headband as a symbol of Jewish pride and connects it...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the enduring presence of hatred and discrimination, emphasizing that historical patterns of prejudice continue to manifest in modern times. He calls for unity, political advocacy, and Jewish resilience, urging i...

Naomi Kramer reflects on the importance of welcoming refugees, emphasizing that providing sanctuary is both a moral and communal responsibility while highlighting the contributions of refugees to society. March 1, 2025, Beth Tzedec Congregation...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the ethical imperative to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and act with integrity even in times of war. He calls for continued advocacy for justice and the preservation of Jewish values in response to tra...

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the tension between joy and pain in Israel’s recent events, urging people to hold multiple truths with empathy to help rebuild a more compassionate world. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services February 1, 2025. Beth...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the remarkable resilience and strength displayed by individuals who endure unimaginable traumas. He emphasize the importance of hope, the ability to recover spiritually and emotionally after profound suffering. ...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the deep value of redemption and the moral responsibility to protect human dignity, rooted in Jewish tradition and history. He connects these principles to current events, emphasizing the importance of hope, jus...

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the story of Joseph and Jacob, highlighting the tension between visibility and hidden identity. She explores Joseph’s journey of assimilation into Egyptian culture and his eventual return to his Jewish roots...

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the importance of leadership, responsibility, and representation within the Jewish community. He emphasizes that in today's connected world, everyone in the community shares the responsibility of speaking and ac...

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on Hanukkah as a profound symbol of resilience, courage, and hope in the face of adversity. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services December 28, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.