Prayer Lesson 161 – Matir asirim, “Who frees captives”
In the lead up to the shacharit Amidah, the final prayer after [...]
Prayer Lesson 160 – Tzur Yisrael (“Rock of Israel”)
The blessings of the Shema come to a crescendo just before the [...]
Prayer Lesson 159 “The Devil You Say!” (or not). The strange history of one of the siddur’s most controversial phrases
In the evening service, we add a prayer—Hashkeveynu—for a safe [...]
Prayer Lesson 158 – “G-d is a man of war, G-d is His name” (Ex. 15:8)
The Song of the Sea is probably the oldest poem [...]
Prayer Lesson 157- The Peculiar History of Simchat Torah
There is something quite odd about Simchat Torah. It makes [...]
Prayer Lesson 156 – The Hoshanah for Shabbat
During Sukkot, we circle the sanctuary in a processional, carrying [...]
Rabbi Wolkoff’s Yom Kippur Yizkor Sermon 5784
The sound of the waves pounds against my ears, my [...]
Rabbi Wolkoff’s Kol Nidre Sermon 5784
We begin Yom Kippur by grappling with the betrayal of [...]
Rabbi Wolkoff’s Rosh Hashana Sermon 5784 – Day 2
It is truly a privilege to be a rabbi. It [...]
Rabbi Wolkoff’s Rosh Hashana Sermon 5784 – Day 1
“G-d remembered Sarah, and G-d did as He had promised.” [...]