Rabbi Roodyn attended City of London School for boys, is a graduate of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh and the London School of Economics. He holds a Bsc (hons) in Government. He spent time learning the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem and received a broad Semicha from Rav Yitzchak Berkovits whose Kollel he attended for a number of years. He is currently the Educational Director of both Jewish Futures and Klal-Chazon. He is a member of the Federation Beis Din's ShailaText team. He was recently appointed Rabbi of Finchley Federation Synagogue, London. He is married to Yael and they live in Hendon, London with their eight children.
Everyone says that today is the ‘easy’ fast. In most countries it comes in relatively late as we can manage breakfast beforehand if we wish, and it ends in time for supper. In fact today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. So in reality we are just skipping lunch. Perhaps we … More The 10th of Teves – Thoughts For Lunchtime
Rav Hirsch continues his introduction by saying that it is the Jewish people’s task to enter into the midst of the nations with a ‘new song’, to ‘behold’ Hashem’s greatness. The newness of the of the song lies in the call שירו לה’ כל הארץ, a summons to all of mankind to unite in beholding … More The ‘new’ song of unity
Rav Hirsch continues his introduction by saying that it is the Jewish people’s task to enter into the midst of the nations with a ‘new song’, to ‘behold’ Hashem’s greatness. The newness of the of the song lies in the call שירו לה’ כל הארץ, a summons to all of mankind to unite in beholding … More The ‘new’ song of unity
א) שִׁירוּ לַה’ שִׁיר חָדָשׁ שִׁירוּ לַה’ כָּל הָאָרֶץ: Sing to Hashem a new song, sing to Hashem, all the earth. The start of a new chapter allows for a different mood and tone. The previous perek ended off on a negative note, relating how the Jewish people rebelled against Hashem during the forty … More Chapter 96 – Time for a new song!
This week’s parsha is full of drama and emotion, starting with conflict and ending with reconciliation. Whilst there is much to say on every aspect of the parsha, one theme that is very significant is that of unity. Regardless of the greatness he has achieved in his role in Egypt he knows that his real … More Parshas Vayigash – Together Forever!
יא) אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי בְאַפִּי אִם יְבֹאוּן אֶל מְנוּחָתִי: So that I swore in my wrath: ‘They shall not enter into my rest’. Rashi notes that the word מנוחתי, ‘My rest’ is a reference to the Land of Israel and Yerushalayim. He bases this on a pasuk later on in Tehillim 132:14 that says זֹאת מְנוּחָתִי … More Israel – Home Sweet Home!
יא) אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי בְאַפִּי אִם יְבֹאוּן אֶל מְנוּחָתִי: So that I swore in my wrath: ‘They shall not enter into my rest’. Rav Hirsch sums up the chapter as follows: This survey in retrospect of the experiences of the people of Israel gathered in the wilderness of Egypt is of great significance to our journey … More A 40 year warm up for a 2000 year journey
י) אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה אָקוּט בְּדוֹר וָאֹמַר עַם תֹּעֵי לֵבָב הֵם וְהֵם לֹא יָדְעוּ דְרָכָי: For forty years I quarrelled with one generation and I though that they are a people of erring heart, and they, they still did not recognise my ways. These final sentences are harsh ones, and it is somewhat ironic that … More It’s worth knowing what you are saying!
To listen to the shiur click here http://www.torahanytime.com/audio/emes-staying-in-touch-with-reality/ To download the sources click here emes2
Today is the final day of Chanukah, the candles have already burnt out, but the light of these special days remains with us until this evening. The final day of Chanukah is known as זאת חנוכה, ‘this is Chanukah’ a phrase borrowed from today’s leining, the first two letters add up to the number 8, … More Zos Chanukah – The Grand Finale
You must be logged in to post a comment.