Rabbi Howard Morrison

Years had gone by. Moses was busy leading a nation and obeying God's word. Now suddenly,  his father-in-law appears bringing Moses' wife and two sons. While Moses greets Yitro, there seems to be a distance between Moses and the others. 

Did wife and especially sons remember husband and father?

Did they respect and marvel at what Moses accomplished?

Did they feel neglected?

Would it have hurt Moses to have been affectionate to his family? Was he able?

My message - Never miss an opportunity to kiss and hug your loved ones.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

An unusual detail is found at the beginning of this week's Torah portion. As the Israelites were preparing themselves for the exodus from Egypt, Moses took the bones of Joseph. As the Midrash explains, while the masses were gathering material objects on the eve of their freedom, Moses remembered a promise demanded by Joseph before his death, in that his remains would not remain in Egypt, but rather, be brought and buried in Israel. Moses remembered the promise and discovered Joseph's bones, while the people were amassing their goods. Some forty years after the Exodus, as recounted in the book of Joshua, Joseph's remains were buried in Shechem. 

This seemingly little detail strikes home this year and this week. We learned a few days that the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili, were found among 249 others who had been buried in Gaza at various times. Ran's body was the unexpected 250^th body that was discovered. Ironically, Ran's Hebrew name, spelled "Raish-Nun" adds up to 250 in Gematria, as Hebrew letters possess numerical equivalents.

Like the commitment made by Moses in securing the bones of Joseph to be buried in our Jewish homeland, Israel maintained its commitment to make sure that every hostage, dead or alive, was  brought home. This is the first time there have not been any hostages in Gaza since 2014. Ran's discovery came after 843 days of praying for all the hostages to come home. We now pray that there never ever will be Jewish hostages anywhere in the world.

On Shabbat morning, we will ceremonially remove our symbolic hostage chair, which has displayed the picture of Ran Gvilli over the last many weeks, and which has displayed all of the hostages since October 7, 2023, amidst prayer and song.

As we read of Moses taking the bones of Joseph out of Egypt, our IDF has taken out the remains of Ran Gvili from Gaza. For nearly 4000 years, such has been the moral responsibility of the Jewish people.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

You may have seen the following depiction on line -  If the events of Moses versus Pharaoh had been reported in today's social media, it may have been reported as follows:

The tit for tat cycle of violence between Jews and Egyptians continues with no end in sight. Following eight previous plagues that destroyed Egypt's infrastructure and destroyed the lives of millions of Egyptians, hard-line Jewish leader Moses, has now launched a new offensive, code-named plague of Darkness.

The Egyptian health ministry reports that under the cover of darkness, Jewish militias are annihilating tens of thousands of Egyptians.

"These plagues, orchestrated by Moses, have caused a devastating humanitarian crisis," the Egyptians declared. "The Jews are committing genocide." World leaders, fearing regional conflict, held an emergency session to condemn Moses for "warmongering and collective punishment." They issued a joint statement warning Moses to refrain from "dangerous escalation" against Egypt and its proxies, and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

Moses said the plagues were in response to alleged "mass enslavement of Jews in concentration camp conditions, and Egypt's policy of murdering every Jewish baby boy."

Experts have been unable to verify these accusations.

Pharaoh, Egypt's Supreme leader, defended his actions as "legitimate resistance - the only means to fight the Jews' superior weaponry supplied by its superpower God."

Pharaoh continued: "If only the plagues would stop, there would be no slavery. We just want to live plague-free. It is the right of every society."

Students for Justice in Egypt criticized the international community 'for failing to maintain peace and security, while allowing Moses to transgress red lines and commit war crimes. The Jews should remain in slavery, for the good of the rest of the world." - - - - - Had social media existed in today's Parsha.

A partial antidote to such social media perspectives is EDUCATION! Much of the Pesach Seder finds its roots in today's Parsha. For example, the narrative of the four kinds of children originates in today's Torah lesson. Three out of four citations regarding children are recited today:

1. When your children ask you, what does this service mean to you? (Exodus 12:26)
2. When in time to come, your child asks you, saying, what does this mean? (Exodus 13:14)
3. And you shall explain to your child on that day (Exodus 13:8)

A fourth reference to children appears in Deuteronomy 6:20 - "When in time to come, your children ask you, what mean the decrees, laws, and rules. . .?

From these four citations, the earliest form of the Seder instructs the parent to teach the child according to his/her abilities and talents. The narrative of the four children: the wise, wicked, simple, and who cannot ask, are not value judgments. Rather, they are modalities challenging parents and educators to teach our children in the most effective way possible.

This lesson is relevant right now. We cannot necessarily control the education of Jew haters, who twist facts to fit their already manufactured narrative. A the very least, however, we Jewish parents, grandparents, and educators might teach our children in a manner so that they understand the facts intellectually, emotionally, and morally. That pedagogic technique originates in our Torah lesson today.

Early in our Parsha, Moses demands of Pharaoh that "We go forth with our young and with our old." Especially in our times, we need all generations to work together in learning the truths of Judaism, our heritage, and our land. In this way, we can constructively confront the social media misrepresentations which exist today, and which surely would have existed in Biblical times had social media been around.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Howard Morrison

It’s such an honour to be here with you this morning – and so good for my soul to reconnect with my friend Rabbi Howard Morrison!  Our mutual friendship and commitment to Christian / Jewish dialogue and unwavering solidarity is very important to me and I know it is to Rabbi Howard as well.  Also, so happy to be with my Jewish friends and to join you this morning!  You are loved and we are with you! It’s also so good to have some friends from King Street Community Church with us this morning in-person and on-line.  It’s so special to see our two communities form an unshakable bond!

Rabbi Howard invited me to share with you a talk focused on the theme of “From Jerusalem to Toronto: A Christian’s Perspective on Zionism and Jew Hatred.”  Since October 7, 2023, what was just under the surface in many parts of our world, including right here in Toronto, we saw the repulsive and ancient Jew hatred and anti-Zionism rise to the surface with a visibility unseen in my lifetime.  It’s beyond concerning and troubling, it’s disgusting and vile!  As a Christian I condemn every form of Jew Hatred and anti-Zionism.

A few weeks ago, I was exiting my physiotherapy appointment when I noticed an elderly man sitting waiting for his appointment.  I quickly noticed him and saw that he was wearing a kippa, so I glanced back a second time, and he realized I had looked in his direction twice before returning to pay my bill.  As I was leaving, I walked over to him and noticed his body language stiffen and an apprehensive look appeared on his face – almost like he was wondering what I was going to do or say.  I noticed he had his blue “Am Yisrael Chai” bracelet and I happened to have mine on too – I showed him my bracelet and he immediately relaxed knowing he was in the presence of a friend.  I told him my name was David and he introduced himself as Yosef.  We discussed my most recent trip to Israel.  What was most concerning to me was his apprehension and concern which was informed by his recent experience of life in the Greater Toronto Area – and that broke my heart!  A Jewish man living with elevated anxiety when a stranger approaches even in a professional medical setting is unacceptable in our country!

So, today’s theme – “From Jerusalem to Toronto, what is a Christian perspective on Jew Hatred and Zionism?”

Let’s start with “A Christian perspective” …

In the Christian community, there is a wide representation of people who say ‘no’ to replacement theology and say ‘yes’ to Hashem’s eternal promises made to the Jewish community.  Replacement theology supports the idea that Christians have replaced Jews in Hashem’s redemptive program for the world, that the promises made to Jews have now been taken from them and given to Christians.  Christians in my community and in most Evangelical expressions of the Church would reject this idea, but from time to time – unfortunately you will find replacement theology has gained some traction – and it’s not helpful!  I consider that problematic!  God’s covenant promises to the Jewish people are eternal!

Even those who buy-in to this faulty theological way of thinking are without permission under the teaching of Jesus to adopt any form of antisemitism, including antizionism.  The Christian ethic of “loving neighbour” (Luke’s gospel) and taking good care of the brothers and sisters of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel (and Jesus was Jewish) serves as imperatives to take good care of our Jewish friends or anyone who is being harassed, bullied or threatened with any form of mistreatment!  Christian ethics will not permit a truly Christian person from participating in Jew hatred or standing idly by while it happens! 

We believe that Genesis 12:1-3 is still in play today and Hashem has not changed his mind! 

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3). This is eternal promise!!

The Christian community is quite diverse as is the Jewish community.  We have an Israeli flag and a Canadian flag proudly displayed in our lobby, but not every church does.  “Israel” for our church community represents both a “people” and a “place.”  Hashem made a promise to a people, and it included the promise of a place, and we believe that a Jewish homeland makes good biblical, historical and pragmatic sense!!

Let’s talk about that place for a few moments – Israel/Jerusalem:

Many Christians and especially those in the evangelical wing of the Christian community are Zionists.  We believe Israel has the right to exist, regardless of how loud the haters chant otherwise.  As Adam Hummel has written in his Substack – “Zionism is the claim that Jews are entitled to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.  It’s about the Jewish community taking responsibility for themselves.”

Israel is home to close to 50% of the world’s Jewish population, and from a humanitarian point of view – they have a right to exist!  From a theological and biblical history point of view, the Jewish homeland was granted this sacred space from Hashem.  Israeli’s are not colonialists or occupiers, they are residents in the land Hashem gave them – Jews are indigenous to the land!

The allegations of Israel the genocidal, colonialist, apartheid state is not just without merit, it is rooted in an ancient hatred and is the new form of antisemitism.  The BDS movement attempts to choke off funding for a nation that has blessed the world and continues to do so is antisemitic at its core! 

I had the privilege of spending 20 days in Israel in the month of November, and I consider Israel my second home!  I visited the Shimon Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation.  The way that Israel has made the world better would take the remainder of our morning, perhaps many days to share!  One of the world’s best secrets that we need to amplify is that Israel has improved lives in so many ways!!

Israel is a shining light of diversity with Jews, Christians, Druze and Muslims living together in a society that is highly functional and peaceful.  My experience took me from Kifir Aza in the Gaza Envelope, to the Alma Research Centre in the north near the border of Lebanon, to the Nova Music Festival, to the Car Cemetery, to the serenity of the Galilee, and to the beaches of Tel Aviv and even to a Hanan Ben Ari outdoor concert in Caesarea.  Shabbat dinner and meaningful time at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, made for a highly emotional and spiritual experience for me and for the 11 clergy who travelled for a post October 7 immersive, first person-experience seen through a Jewish lens.

The resilient spirit of the Israeli’s is inspiring! I was left believing more strongly than ever that Israel is going to be okay, because the hand of Hashem is over that nation and the people!

I am working with CIJA to take annual missions of Christian clergy to Israel with a plan to advocate here in Canada upon return.  The Jewish and Christian communities are raising money to take as many clergy as possible to provide an exposure opportunity that will advance advocacy work here in Canada.  We are committed to our shared values and we need each other more than ever!

This brings me to the last part of today’s talk – Jew Hatred in Toronto

I am so, so sorry that you continue to face harassment, threat and intimidation by a group of people who unfortunately don’t know their left hand from their right.  I am also so sorry that far too many Canadians including Christians have remained silent when they have a moral obligation to step up, speak out and act for your welfare!  I am so sorry that our governments appear to be intimidated and lack the will to confront the thugs who wear terrorist garb and chant hateful rhetoric!  You deserve better!

The hateful demonstration in the Eaton Centre on Boxing Day is an indictment on law enforcement and the lost civility of our city.  The destructive and disrespectful act of removing Mezuzah’s from door frames of Holocaust survivors and of law abiding, Jewish residents who have helped us build this city is simply beyond words.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks – reasonable and irrational Jew Hatred.

"Remember what Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt, that he encountered you on the way, and he struck those lagging at the rear, when you were tired and exhausted, and he did not fear God." (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)

As we approach January 27^th and Holocaust Memorial Day, know that many, many of us in the Christian community are with you!  Not just now, but you can count on us for as long as Hashem grants us breath!  We are in this together.  The 315 hostages in Nigeria taken by Islamic militants demonstrates that we are targeted by a common enemy.  As we all know, what starts with the Saturday people, eventually will include the Sunday people!  We are in this together!

And if I ever get to see my friend Yosef again, I hope and pray that he is less intimidated by strangers who approach him and more confident in his Canadian neighbours and Christian friends and that he doesn’t need to be apprehensive any longer!  We have a lot of work to together, but it’s sacred and beautiful work for a group of Allies and friends of the Jewish community who have your back!  And I know, that if it came down to it, you would have our back too!!

If you want to begin to understand the origins of Antisemitism, one need look no further than the opening verses in the book of Shmot-Exodus. The first book of the Torah, Bereishit-Genesis, concluded with the family of Israel. In the opening verses of today's parsha, Bnai Yisrael, literally, the children of a man named Israel, becomes the peoplehood of Israel. Thus begins our history as a nation. Almost as soon as we are identified as a nation, Pharaoh emerges as the first and original hater of the Jewish people. Was he the same Pharaoh from Joseph's time or a new king? Commentaries vary. Either way, as a nation of Israel is born, the Pharaoh of the time chose not to know or remember what Joseph had done for Egypt. Instead, lies and fabrications emerge. The Israelites are considered too numerous for Egypt. Really? The Israelites may join the enemy armies of Egypt. Really?

From the very first instance of Antisemitism against the Jews as a people, the pattern has always been the same. Jews enter a particular country, become actively involved in the betterment of society, make exceptional contributions, and subsequently get falsely blamed and accused via lies and propaganda. Joseph had become second in command. He interpreted dreams and became a visionary. Because of Joseph, who was always regarded as a Hebrew by Egyptian society, Egypt's economy flourished. Egypt was THE respected nation in the area. 

How often have Jews become involved in their Diaspora countries and made tremendous contributions - Germany, Spain, France and many others throughout the ages? The early contributions by Jews in the U.S. and Canada? Then, before you know it, Jews are blamed for being over successful, and Jews are seen as being inferior - all as a result of lies and falsehoods. Consider New York city. So much of its success has been due to the contributions of New York city Jews. When I studied in New York city in the 1980's, the mayor was Ed Koch, who insisted on being buried in New York city before he died. To this day, New York city has more Jews than any other city in the U.S. Now- Just over a week ago, on his first day in office, a new Antisemitic mayor, in my opinion, ripped away the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of Antisemtism, and he eliminated safeguards to protect Jews regarding boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel. What is next?????

Over the years, the shape of Antisemitism has evolved - from Judaism being disregarded because of race or religion. In our time, the disregard of Judaism is based on connection to the ancestral homeland of the Jews, Israel. But make no mistake about it - AntiZionism is a catchy phrase for Antisemitism. Otherwise, why are Diaspora Jews in danger? Why are synagogues and other Jewish institutions at risk? Is Jewish practice around the world really linked to political policies coming out of Jerusalem for the citizens of Israel? Of course not. Excuses are created for blatant Jew-hatred. If Israel is now at a ceasefire with Gaza, why are Hamas supportive hate rallies taking place around the globe? We know the answer - AntiZionism is a synonym for Antisemitism.

Until this year, I was never concerned about wearing my Kippa in downtown Toronto or at a Toronto sporting event. A number of weeks ago, a Kippa wearing Jew was accosted at a Maple Leafs game. While the attacker was removed, how does that happen at a hockey game? The following week, when I attended a Raptors game, I chose to wear my cap for most of the game until I felt completely safe to show my Kippa. Why should I have to be concerned? and I am!!!

In our Parsha today, Moses, Aaron, and Miriam emerge as heroes. They will save the day.

In this month of January, we remember the legacies and the alliance of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King. They were American political and spiritual heroes in the 1960's, who together advanced the civil rights movement. Heschel himself almost singlehandedly persuaded the Catholic Church to reverse its age old hatreds and stereotypes of Jews and Judaism.

Who will be today's Dr. King? Rabbi Heschel?

Who will be today's Moses, Aaron, and Miriam?

While the answers are not visible right now, it would do us well to better understand and reflect on today's Parsha - the  very first recorded instance of Antisemitism in Jewish history.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

At the Hebrew University in 1983-4, I took a class on traditional Torah commentary with the legendary Nechama Leibowitz. Her class was entitled, "From slavery to freedom," and focused on the first fifteen chapters of Sefer Shmot, the book of Exodus.

This week, we begin to read that second book of the Torah anew. When we hear such transitional statements as "from darkness to light, "from narrow straits to expansiveness," "from subjugation to redemption " - the imagery of Pesach comes to mind. Indeed, such phrases appear in the Haggadah right before Hallel.

Similarly, these expressions appear in the very first printed prayerbook, known as "Seder Rav Amram," from the tenth century. In Ashkenazic liturgy, these sentiments of hope appear in the weekday Shacharit as part of a series of statements after the Torah is lifted.

While these expressions resonate with the Biblical Exodus from slavery to freedom, the ideas pertain to any time our people have been subject to persecution.

Nowadays, this brief prayer, which begins with the words, "Acheinu Kol Bait Yisrael - Our brothers and sisters the whole house of Israel," speaks to the horrors of October 7, 2023 and the reality of Jews confronting hatred in many parts of the world. 

A beautiful and inspirational melody now exists for this prayer. Whether one reads or sings it, I encourage us to recite these words individually and in group settings during these challenging times.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

There is a parallel this week between the secular calendar and our Torah reading cycle. This week we transitioned from 2025 to 2026 with January 1^st on Thursday. As one year has ended, a new year has begun. I wish us all good health, purpose, meaning, and joy in the new year.

On this coming Shabbat, We will finish reading the first book of the Torah, Bereishit-Genesis, in the morning. We will begin reading the second book of the Torah, Shemot-Exodus, in the afternoon. As one book is closed, another one is immediately opened.

In between the two books, as a postscript to ending Bereishit in the morning, we add three words which translate as, "Be of strength, be of strength, and let us  be strengthened." These words teach us to take ownership of the book of Torah just completed, to be strengthened by it, and to begin the next book with strength and ownership. The three postscript words also teach us that while we can study Torah individually, it is always preferable to take ownership of our heritage in the context of community and peoplehood.

May we all grow spiritually and morally in the new year of 2026 and with the teachings found in the next book of Torah, Shmot-Exodus.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Joseph was cast into a pit by his brothers and sold off to slavery in Egypt. Years later, he is a viceroy in Egypt staring down his brothers in disguise. While Joseph can never forget what his brothers did to him, he forgives them when he discloses his identity to them. 

Joseph teaches us that forgetting and forgiving are not the same. Forgiving is not about letting someone off the hook. Rather, forgiving is about removing a heavy chip from our shoulders which weighs us down. Forgiving is a need we have for ourselves to live a healthier and more spiritual life. 

While challenging as it may be, we can forgive even when we cannot forget.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Why the change?

In an effort to be more relevant to younger families, we will be finishing services around 11:30am. This will allow ample time for young families to enjoy the shul Kiddush and to have lunch at home at a reasonable time.

For others, an earlier conclusion to services will allow more disposable time on Shabbat to eat, study, rest, take a leisurely stroll and more.

The integrity of a full traditional service and Torah reading will remain intact, as befits the religious style of Beth Emeth.

The new time frame is the result of conversation with many families in our shul community.

So - I look forward to seeing you around 8:30am (or beyond) starting January 3 and singing Adon Olam and Ha'Tikvah around 11:30am.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Jacob should have known better. He grew up knowing about sibling rivalry with Esau. One would imagine that his father Isaac related the tribulations he had with Ishmael.

Now, Jacob favors Joseph over the older brothers. Jacob favors the son of Rachel over the sons of the others.

Jacob presents a coat of many colors to Joseph which tragically determines his fate with his brothers. " Vlo yachlu dabro l' shalom - the brothers could not speak peacefully with Joseph."

In the text, the word Shalom is spelled, Chaser, incomplete, leaving out the full vowel for the OH sound. Thus, the brothers could not even speak a partial peace with Joseph. We all know the consequences of this particular sibling rage.

Tomorrow night, we will begin to celebrate Chanukah. The Maccabean brothers were united in their shared resolve to fight against adversarial forces. The few overcame the many. The Maccabean few were victorious against the massive Syrian-Greek Hellenistic empire. They also had to defeat secular Hellenistic Jews and dogmatic ultra-pious Jews.

As we prepare to celebrate Chanukah this year, we marvel at the continuous miracle of the Jewish people. We are here,  in Israel and throughout the Diaspora. 

Locally, we celebrate the miracle of Jewish life, surrounded by synagogues, Jewish schools, Kosher establishments, political infrastructure, and more - never to be taken for granted.

We celebrate the miracle of modern day Maccabees - Those who defend our people and our land.

We celebrate the miracle of modern day Maccabees - Those Jews around the world who refuse to be bullied by dark forces around us.

We celebrate the miracle of Maccabean like righteous non - Jews, such as Douglas Murray and Erin Molan, who can clearly distinguish light from darkness.

Like the Maccabees, we too face severe challenges from the outside world as well as from extreme left and right wing Jewish voices.

A positive example of being united Maccabean-like siblings took place last Sunday. Some anti-Jewish Antisemitic thugs removed the Mezuzot from the apartments of a number of Jewish families living in a senior's residential facility. That is bad enough. However, with the resolve, resistance, and resilience of volunteer Jews, within hours, all of those apartments had new Mezuzot affixed. This is the way we Jewish brothers and sisters unite and show our spiritual resistance and resilience.

How we persevere may well be decided by the kind of sibling relationship we will share as macro Jewish brothers and sisters.  Will we be likened to Joseph and his brothers in today's Parsha? Or the Maccabean brothers who have enabled us to continue celebrating Chanukah over 2000 years later.

Shabbat Shalom

Chag Urim Sameach

Rabbi Howard. Morrison

Soon, many of us will go on winter vacation as we prepare to celebrate Chanukah this Sunday night. I wish us all well.

Last weekend was a wonderful prelude to the joyous Chanukah season.

On Shabbat morning, we celebrated a baby naming and a bat mitzvah. A sister of our Shinshiniot visited and spoke of her time as a combat soldier in Gaza.

On Saturday night, our newest group within the shul, the Prime Timers, had a wonderful social evening playing Bingo and having fun.

On Sunday night, hundreds of people from young to old attended our fun filled pre-Chanukah party.

What a weekend it was! While some of us may go away for a short while, and others for the winter -  services, classes, and programs will continue.

Find a warm place to be at Beth Emeth.

Shabbat Shalom and a Freiliche Chanukah,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

While spending a brief vacation in New York city, I attended Shabbat morning services at Ansche Chesed, where a childhood friend and her family go to shul. After services, while standing in the coatroom about to leave, I remarked to a shul member how nice it was for me to sit with the congregation and be a "Jew in the pew." A woman, upon overhearing my comment, asked me if I was a visiting pulpit rabbi, to which I affirmed her comment. After a brief conversation with her, the woman then remarked that our chance encounter was "Min Hashamayim," literally, "from heaven," meaning that God meant for this encounter to happen.

I had never met her before, but I knew a little bit about her late husband. Nava Harlow was married to Rabbi Jules Harlow, Zichrono Li'Veracha, of blessed memory. When Nava mentioned her name to me, I asked if she was Rabbi Harlow's wife, which she affirmed. When I was an undergraduate student in Boston before attending rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Harlow was the very first Seminary scholar I had ever heard in person. I had been invited to a retreat at Camp Tel Noar in New Hampshire sponsored by the New England region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. Rabbi Harlow was one of the featured scholars in residence. It was there that I heard his ideological approach to editing Conservative Movement liturgy. Little did I know that his field of expertise was Tefila, prayer, and synthesizing the accepted norms of traditional Jewish prayer with the contemporary needs of the time.

Fast forward. in the mid 1980's when I was a rabbinical student, Rabbi Harlow delivered a lecture on the publication of Siddur Sim Shalom, the first complete (Daily, Sabbath, and Festival) Siddur published by the Conservative Movement. At that time, the ArtScroll company was publishing all kinds of Siddurim with commentaries on the bottom of the page. While Rabbi Harlow advocated for studying commentary in adult education programs, his Siddur did not contain commentary on the page of the prayer text. He strongly maintained the position that a Jew in actual prayer time should focus on the prayer text specifically. Rabbi Harlow's genius was to translate the Hebrew into a rhythmic lyrical style which brought the Hebrew to life in English.

When I served as rabbi of the Wantagh Jewish Center in the 1990's, the shul Siddur was in fact Siddur Sim Shalom. While many Conservative synagogues use this Siddur to the present day, the compact travel-size edition is still used by campers and those traveling. Ultimately, more recent iterations of  Conservative Movement liturgy in which he was not involved, have now augmented the text with historical and contemporary commentaries on the margins surrounding the Hebrew text (see Or Hadash: A commentary on Siddur Sim Shalom and Siddur/Machzor Lev Shalem).

Given the little I knew her husband, Nava regarded our moment at the coat check as a heavenly encounter. Rabbi Jules Harlow had passed away in February of 2024. May his Neshama have an Aliyah in its heavenly abode.

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Today's Parsha mentions and links together the three founding patriarchs of Judaism - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It is noteworthy that every Amidah begins with our standing on the shoulders of our three founders when we recite the words, "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob." The Talmud teaches us that before we can approach God with our own needs, we praise God by remembering  "Zechut Avot - The merit of the patriarchs." A number of times in the Torah, mention is made of God's appearing to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The author of the Amidah, however, embellishes the Biblical words by adding "the God of" before the mention of each patriarchal name. Why so? On one hand, each of them developed his own relationship with God. None was a clone of the one who came before. The Talmud identifies morning prayer being attributed to Abraham, afternoon prayer being attributed to Isaac, and evening prayer being attributed to Jacob. All of this inspires us to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and developing our own relationship with God and our tradition. 

Perhaps another reason for the daily mentioning of our founding fathers is that they represent three successive generations. Abraham, the Zaidee; Isaac, his son; and Jacob the grandson. The first multi-generational family understood that the litmus test of a tradition being handed down and received is seeing it play out with three generations. In contemporary Jewish life, I have observed such a beautiful phenomenon here at Beth Emeth when three or even sometimes four generations of a family sit together for High Holy Days, Shabbat and Festival meals,  and other occasions.

Each patriarch understood and experienced tensions within the family. Abraham and his shepherds experienced conflicts with his nephew Lot and his shepherds. Isaac experienced conflict with his half-brother Ishmael. Jacob experienced conflict with his twin brother Esau. In all three situations, one had to actually depart from the other. The Torah ambiguously describes Isaac and Ishmael both standing together at their father's grave. Did they reunite? Did they have a continuing relationship? The Torah is silent. We will never know. At the end of today's Parsha, Jacob has to flee from his brother Esau. Only twenty years later after they both developed families and followings of their own do we learn that they embraced each other. Was the embrace sincere? While they then went on their separate ways, did they stay in touch?  The Torah is silent. We will never know. 

The Torah speaks the truth of family and personal challenges. How many of us experience tension and conflict with nephews, siblings, or other members of the immediate or extended family? Can we learn lessons for our situations from the early Biblical stories of our history?

Each patriarch understood and experienced hostilities from outsiders. Abraham confronted an Egyptian Pharaoh and a Philistine emperor. Isaac paralleled his father's encounters and experienced hatred from his neighbors each time he dug a well for water. Jacob's uncle Lavan was more like an outsider who tricked Jacob. In subsequent history, the Passover Haggadah instructs us, "Go and learn what Lavan the Aramean sought to do to Jacob our patriarch."

The Torah speaks the truth of hatred and enmity coming from outsiders. Sadly, and tragically, this would become the norm of Jewish history for four thousand years non-stop. The Haggadah reminds us that in each generation there are those who rise up to destroy us. If we thought that concluded with the end of the Shoah and the creation of the State of Israel, we were sadly mistaken as the last two years have taught us to this very day.

Our Sages teach us, "Ma'seh Avot siman la'banim - The experiences of our ancestors serve as a sign for their descendants." Many of the experiences Abraham faced are replicated by Isaac - case in point, each faced a Pharaoh, a Philistine, encounters when digging wells. Many of the experiences of the patriarchs are shared by all three of them - case in point, each had to face the infertility of a beloved barren wife - Sarah, Rebecca, and Rachel.

I would imagine that many of us have replicated events faced by our parents or grandparents. What have we learned from their experiences? From the experiences of our founding fathers? What did Jacob learn from Isaac and Abraham?

By starting each Amidah with the words, "God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," we do more than echo four thousand years of history. Each daily mention provides a menu for all kinds of life lessons.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Even in a land promised to him by God, Abraham is not comfortable. Soon after his wife Sarah dies, Abraham has to negotiate with the locals to secure a burial plot for his departed beloved wife. "Ger V'Toshav Anochi Imachem - I am a resident stranger among you (Genesis 23:4)."

The commentary found in the Etz Hayim Humash states, "Abraham is uncertain whether his neighbors accept him as a fellow resident or tolerate him as a stranger in their midst." 

In his commentary, Rashi states, "Ger Mai'Eretz Acheret V'Nityashavti Imachem - I am a stranger from another country, but I have settled among you."

Returning to the Etz Hayim commentary, "Much of Jewish history has seen the majority of Jews living as 'resident strangers' in the midst of other nations. 

Throughout the ages, the first generation of immigrant Jews to a new country may have been filled with fear and uncertainty, but their children or grandchildren's generation may have felt that they had made it and were accepted in the general society, until something new and horrific then appeared.

Take the Jews of Germany in the early to mid twentieth century. At a certain point in the 1920's or early 1930's, German Jews must have felt that they had made it in general society. Most would never have guessed what was awaiting them leading into Kristallnacht, November 9, 1938. The rest of that story is perhaps the most tragic chapter of Jewish history.

I grew up in what was called "The Goldene Medina," the United States, the country of welcome to all. While early immigrants to the U.S. may have faced levels of anti-Semitism, I was mainly unscathed. In a fairly Jewish populated area just outside of Boston, I attended Jewish day school safely. I attended Summer classes at the local public high school safely. I attended Boston University, with a significant number of Jews but still a small minority amongst the total student population, safely. I worked part-time jobs in non-Jewish places safely and without ever having to feel the need to conceal my Jewish identity.

My guess is that maybe your parents or grandparents who moved to Canada or specifically the GTA may have faced levels of anti-Semitism. I learned early on in my tenure here about the Cristy Pitts riots against Jews. However, I would imagine that for the most part, those of you my age; those of you who are second or third generation Canadians, have been accepted in the larger general society. Whether you attended Jewish day school or public school, your comfort zone at school was pretty good. You felt like a Toshav, a resident, and not a Ger, a stranger.

So, what has happened in North America in the not-so-distant past? How did it happen that in much of the U.S., much of Canada, and in much of the GTA, we Jews are feeling more like strangers or resident strangers here? 

How did it happen that this generation's young Jews are targeted in their public schools?

How did it happen that Jews today in the U.S. and Canada do not feel safe in their neighborhoods?

And while I focus on North America, is the challenge not the same for Jews everywhere - England, Australia, France . . . . every sector of the globe?

Just when a generation of Jews is feeling safe in a Diaspora country, we are reminded not to take anything for granted. The values of a society can change on a dime. That two weeks ago, a particular synagogue was targeted for the tenth time; that an off campus private gathering of Jewish students from TMU was attacked, and the list goes on and on. 

How can any of this stop when the Mayor of the city proclaims publicly that Israel is the source of genocide? Does she not know how that will rile the local anti-Semitic community?

A few days ago, we observed Remembrance Day, and our American friends observed Veterans Day. Many Jews were among those who made the ultimate sacrifice for these two countries.

We have made our homes here. But at best today, we are reminded that even Abraham living in a God-given piece of land proclaimed, "Ger V'Toshav Anochi Imachem - I am a resident stranger among you."

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morriso

The weekly Torah portion is always relevant to the issues of the day. Take yesterday's portion of Vayera.

God tests and even informs Abraham about the evil in Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham is tested. Will he speak out for the innocent? Will he speak out for people he does not know? the stranger? The righteous?

Abraham passes the test, becomes the father of our people, and a moral exemplar, because he speaks out against injustice wherever it occurs.

This is the Jewish way. In being a light unto the nations, Israel and the Jewish people speak out and act. How often has Israel sent its trained personnel to other countries during a time of peril? How often has Israel treated the ill and wounded from enemies of neighboring nations?

Tragically and sadly, the shoe is not worn on the other foot. When the Jewish people suffered in the Shoah and lost 6 million of its own, the world was largely silent. 

On October 7 and its aftermath unto today, the world has largely been silent.

A mayor Chow here and a new mayor-elect named Mamdani in New York city are completely silent on the pain of our people and even twist truth to falsehood.

Where are the other faiths that claim they are children of Abraham? With few but noticeable  exceptions, 87 years after Kristallnacht and 2 years after October  7, the silence and false propaganda are glaring.

We the Jewish people, the nation of Israel, will continue to emulate Abraham our forefather. We will speak out and act for our particular need and for the universal need. 

As we learn in Pirkei Avot, "If I am not for me, who is for me? If I am only for me, what am I?

Chazak  Ve'Ematz - be strong and have courage.

Am Yisrael Chai!