Parasha Metzorah
Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue A midrash tells us that the King of Persia took ill and was advised by his doctors to drink the…
These are Rabbi Marc Rudolph’s weekly sermons.
March 7
(With much talk about Secretary of State John Kerry's peace initiative coming to a conclusion, I wanted to share with you this sermon I delivered on March 7, which I…
Parashat Shemini
Leaders for our TimeOne of the most troubling episodes in the entire Torah is found in this week’s parasha. I am referring to the deaths of two of Aaron’s sons,…
Shabbat Zachor
Mistakes Christians Sometimes Make about Jews In our megillah reading tomorrow night, Haman says to King Ahasverus, “There is a certain people- scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in…
A Modern Midrash
This Shabbat I will be away from the synagogue on a Family Retreat with members of Congregation Beth Shalom. We will be spending the weekend at Camp Shai in Wisconsin,…
Chicago Rabbinic Action Committee Mission — 2014
Rome and JerusalemLast week I spoke about The Rabbinic Action Committee trip to Rome. I showed slides of the Jewish Catacombs of Rome, the Fosse Ardeantine memorial, ancient Jewish manuscripts…
New Year’s Day Message
Embracing our DifferencesOn January 1 I participated in a panel at Wentz Concert Hall for the ninth annual World Peace Day Interfaith Prayer Service. The theme of the day was…
Parasha Va-era
A "Ribbiting" Debate Just a few weeks ago, the American Studies Association, an academic organization, voted overwhelmingly to sever ties with all Israeli academic institutions. This is part of a…
Parasha Va-Yekhi
How To Hold A Grudge This letter appeared in the Sunday NY Times advice column called "Social Q's" on July 5: We had dinner with another couple at an elegant…
Parasha VaYigash
Reconciliation -- "Then" and "Now" Rabbi Joseph Telushkin relates the following story. It illustrates the rancor that is legend in synagogue life: Two members of a congregation have been feuding for…