Nov 6th, 2009
by rabbifink.
KCET (the local PBS affiliate) has been working on a city-wide project. It is called Departures and it focuses on the people and places that make the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. For the last six weeks they have been working on Venice. Today they came to the Pacific Jewish Center Shul on the Beach to learn about us and to be included in their upcoming Venice piece.
It was a true honor and privilege to be a part of this worthwhile project. The production should be finished in February and I look forward to seeing that.
The camera crew shot some footage of our morning services and did two interviews. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Musings & Observations.
Tagged: blogging · Gary Dalin · history · interview · Jewish · KCET · Pacific Jewish Center · PBS · Shabbat · Shabbos · social-networking · technology · tolerance · Torah · Venice · video
Nov 6th, 2009
by rabbifink.
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Chessed L’Avraham
The beginning of Parshas Vayera describes the hospitality uniquely associated with the home of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu. The psukim are filled with practical lessons in the “how to’s” of Chessed. The entire scenario with the malachim visiting Avraham as he recovers is inspiring.
One phrase in the story, v’hu omeid aleohem tachas haeitz vayocheilu encapsulates the art of being a ba’al chessed, a master of Chessed, teaching us how to give and how to receive. We learn that despite the pain of having just undergone a bris milah, Avraham, together with his wife prepared a feast for strangers. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Guest Post, Rabbi Aaron Fink.
Tagged: Abraham · chessed · Jewish · kindness · Parsha · Rabbi Aaron Fink · Rabbi Berel Fink · Torah · Vayera
Nov 5th, 2009
by rabbifink.
The economic crisis has hit many families and individuals in different ways. This anecdote really hit me hard. Perhaps you will feel the same way.
We all know that money is tight for Americans all across the country. Los Angeles is no exception and even in the middle to upper class neighborhood where we live there are some disturbing signs of desperation. Sure, there are for rent signs all over the place and people are conscious about saving and reducing their expenses, but the most painful demonstration of the economic crisis that I have heard is so much worse. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Musings & Observations.
Tagged: baby formula · charity · compassion · economic crisis · enfamil · family · Ralph's · sad · sad news
Nov 2nd, 2009
by rabbifink.
Prayer is something so basic to all faiths and religions. Jewish ideas of prayer are decidedly different from other cultures. It is very important to learn about the Jewish approach to prayer.
I began the class by announcing that this was a topic I longed to discuss for a very long time. I finally felt that the time was right.
We asked all the basic questions about prayer. We asked some advanced questions about prayer.
Using ideas from Rabbi Chaim Volozhin and others we pieced together a rational approach to prayer that made sense to us.
It was a very exciting class with outstanding participation and a very alert listening audience.
I really recommend giving this class a listen.
All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.
You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.
Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Classes, Connections.
Tagged: Classes · Pacific Jewish Center · podcasts · prayer · Ramchal · Shiur · tefilla · Torah · Venice
Nov 1st, 2009
by rabbifink.
Today, we learned the methods of acquiring zrizus.
Ramchal hearkens back to the methods of acquiring zehirus that we studied earlier and for the benefit of us all, we reviewed them together.
Along with any review comes new insights and understanding. Today was no different.
Audio is below.
All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.
You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here.
Posted in: All Posts, Messilas Yesharim.
Tagged: Classes · Luzzatto · Messilas Yesharim · Pacific Jewish Center · Ramchal · Shiur · Torah · Venice
Oct 30th, 2009
by rabbifink.
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Enlightened
The birth of Klal Yisrael is the story line of Parshas Lech Lecha. Our Mifarshim tell us that maasei avos siman labanim, the lives of our patriarchs and matriarchs set the patterns for Jewish eternity. Each and every nuance of their lives has relevance to each of us today.
One of many lessons can be learned this week from the very beginning of the parsha. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Guest Post, Rabbi Aaron Fink.
Tagged: Avraham · Lech Lecha · light · Rabbi Aaron Fink · Torah
Oct 26th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Two words with very different meanings were discussed tonight.
Truth on the one hand and faith on the other.
In Judaism these are really two phases of life’s various challenges. Our discussion ranged from Abraham to smokers to ferrets.
It was quite an adventure and I invite you listen.
All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.
You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Classes, Connections.
Tagged: Classes · emes · emunah · faith · Pacific Jewish Center · podcasts · Shiur · Torah · truth
Oct 26th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Has the White House traveled back in time and space to the Mad Men era? To a place in time where women are 2nd class citizens and were refused equal opportunities?
Most people would say, “of course not”. But there are those who disagree.
Just ask Terry O’Neill the president for the National Organizatin of Women (NOW) about it. O’Neill says that this is a real issue.
The brouhaha started with the President’s pickup basketball games. Apparently, only men have been invited to play so far. According to O’Neill, this is an affront to women everywhere.
Yes, she is serious. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Musings & Observations, My Links.
Tagged: ABC News · basketball · golf · Mad Men · Mad Women · NOW · NY Times · Obama · politics · ridiculous · women
Oct 25th, 2009
by rabbifink.
We began today’s class by delving deeper into the ground-breaking concept we studied last week.
Basically, the Ramchal teaches us that we can use our physical actions to arouse spiritual and emotional change.
We discussed a number of applications for the concept.
Then we began the next chapter.
Audio is below.
All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top of this page. Or just click here.
You can also subscribe to all classes in iTunes by clicking here. Continue reading →
Posted in: All Posts, Classes, Messilas Yesharim.
Tagged: Classes · Luzzatto · Messilas Yesharim · Pacific Jewish Center · Ramchal · Shiur · Torah · Venice
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