Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the tragic story of Nadav and Avihu, whose "strange fire" reminds us that intent alone is not enough—boundaries, reverence, and responsibility are essential for holiness and for safeguarding society. Drawing parallels to the Holocaust, the rise of modern antisemitism, and the misuse of power today, he challenges us …

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the enduring impact of those we’ve lost—public figures and personal mentors alike—and how their legacies shape who we become. Excerpt from Pesach services April 20, 2025 · Beth Tzedec Congregation · Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the transformative moment of the Red Sea splitting, not as a passive miracle, but one catalyzed by human courage and initiative. She emphasizes that redemption requires both divine partnership and human action, especially in moments when the path forward is unclear. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services April 19, 2025 ·…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the four Seder cups, reframing them through Joseph’s turbulent journey—marked by highs, lows, and comebacks. Like Joseph, we face setbacks, but with faith, we rise. The cups remind us that even in chaos, there is hope and the promise of ascent. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services April 12, 2025 · Beth Tzedec C…

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on her journey to making Torah accessible and personally meaningful, emphasizing that true connection to Judaism happens when individuals claim and teach Torah in their own way. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services April 5, 2025 · Beth Tzedec Congregation · Toronto, Canada.…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the Torah’s insistence on transparency and communal accountability, beginning with Moses’ detailed financial record of the Mishkan’s construction. Drawing striking parallels to today’s political landscape—from Israel’s internal fractures to democratic concerns in the U.S. and Canada—he reminds us that trust in leade…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on Parashat Vayakhel as a blueprint for unity following division, drawing parallels between the Israelites’ recovery from the sin of the golden calf and today’s fractured Jewish world. He urges a return to shared purpose through collective responsibility, meaningful leadership, and the spiritual grounding of Shabbat—re…

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the visibility of Jewish identity, exploring the tension between outward expression and internal commitment. She shares her personal journey of choosing to wear a headband as a symbol of Jewish pride and connects it to broader themes of faith, knowledge, and belonging, emphasizing that true Jewish identity is expressed …

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the enduring presence of hatred and discrimination, emphasizing that historical patterns of prejudice continue to manifest in modern times. He calls for unity, political advocacy, and Jewish resilience, urging individuals to stand together, strengthen their identity, and build alliances to confront and counteract ha…

Naomi Kramer reflects on the importance of welcoming refugees, emphasizing that providing sanctuary is both a moral and communal responsibility while highlighting the contributions of refugees to society. March 1, 2025, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the ethical imperative to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and act with integrity even in times of war. He calls for continued advocacy for justice and the preservation of Jewish values in response to tragedy. February 22, 2025, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada.…

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the tension between joy and pain in Israel’s recent events, urging people to hold multiple truths with empathy to help rebuild a more compassionate world. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services February 1, 2025. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the remarkable resilience and strength displayed by individuals who endure unimaginable traumas. He emphasize the importance of hope, the ability to recover spiritually and emotionally after profound suffering. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services January 25, 2025. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the deep value of redemption and the moral responsibility to protect human dignity, rooted in Jewish tradition and history. He connects these principles to current events, emphasizing the importance of hope, justice, and compassion in the face of hardship. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services January 18, 2025. Beth…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the story of Joseph and Jacob, highlighting the tension between visibility and hidden identity. She explores Joseph’s journey of assimilation into Egyptian culture and his eventual return to his Jewish roots, connecting this narrative to the importance of living openly and proudly as Jews in contemporary times, …

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the importance of leadership, responsibility, and representation within the Jewish community. He emphasizes that in today's connected world, everyone in the community shares the responsibility of speaking and acting on behalf of the Jewish people. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services January 4, 2025. Beth Tzedec Co…

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on Hanukkah as a profound symbol of resilience, courage, and hope in the face of adversity. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services December 28, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the power of prayer to interrupt cycles of immorality, foster gratitude, and align actions with higher values. He emphasizes that consistent practice of blessings can cultivate habits of holiness, recalibrate moral compasses, and infuse everyday moments with mindfulness and compassion. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning s…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on how Jewish tradition consistently values peace, ending prayers and teachings with aspirations for harmony. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services December 14, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the significance of stones as physical markers of meaningful moments in one’s life and spiritual journey. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services December 7, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman reflects on the evolving nature of Judaism in the context of technological and social change, emphasizing its multifaceted identity as more than just a religion but as a rich, ongoing conversation spanning centuries. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services November 30 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the challenging and transformative act of seeking forgiveness from someone one has deeply wronged. She emphasizes how confronting one's mistakes, overcoming pride, and asking for forgiveness can be one of the most profound tests of character and a pathway to righteousness. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services N…

Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl reflects on the challenges faced by the Jewish community and the potential for building bridges through dialogue and mutual support. Excerpt from Shabbat Morning services November 16, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on resilience as a blend of outward action and inner commitment to enduring values, urging us to face uncertainties with courage, strengthened by heritage and shared purpose. Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. November 9, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on God’s covenant after the flood, highlighting the shift from divine destruction to human responsibility for creating a world of peace and justice. She shares recent moments of remembrance and unity within the Canadian Jewish community, including calls to prioritize the redemption of hostages and the fight against ant…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on Yehuda Bauer's legacy, highlighting his dedication to viewing the Holocaust not merely as history, but as a call to action, urging humanity to take responsibility for creating a more just and compassionate world. Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. October 26, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the deep grief and resilience following the October 7th attacks. She highlight the Jewish community's strength in balancing sorrow with celebration, honoring the fallen while continuing to embrace hope and life. Excerpt from Shemini Atzeret service. October 24, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…

Yacov Fruchter reflects on the significance of time in the Jewish experience, emphasizing how it serves as both a marker of unity and a source of meaning. Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. October 19, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the deep unity of the Jewish people, embodied in shared traditions. She explores how personal and collective experiences of joy and sorrow connect the community across geographical and cultural divides. In times of hardship, she emphasizes the need to support one another to find strength, comfort, and, ultimately, joy. …

This sermon by Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on grief, resilience, and solidarity within the Jewish community following the tragic events of October 7. Through personal stories, teachings, and acts of remembrance, she emphasizes the importance of unity, hope, and the responsibility to support one another during difficult times.…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on themes of loss, memory, and resilience through the lens of Torah and personal experiences. She draws parallels between Moses' undiminished vitality at age 120 and the fading external signs of mourning, emphasizing the importance of keeping memories alive and sharing stories of loved ones across generations to en…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the challenges facing the modern Jewish community, emphasizing the importance of understanding Jewish history and tradition. She calls for action to preserve Jewish knowledge and counter misinformation, ensuring the next generation maintains pride in their identity. October 4, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toro…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the significance of the martyrology recitation, "Ella Escara," during Yom Kippur, connecting historical Jewish suffering to the recent tragic events in Israel. He emphasizes that remembering those lost, such as victims of the October 7th attacks, is not only about honoring their memories but also about acknowledging…

Yacov Fruchter discusses the theme "one people, one heart" during the high holidays, reflecting on the challenges of unity within the Jewish community amid differing perspectives, particularly regarding anti-Zionism. He emphasizes the importance of inclusion, urging community members to widen their hearts and boundaries to embrace all Jewish storie…

Yacov Fruchter reflects on the concept of memory in Judaism, highlighting that while history is acknowledged, it is the legacy and lessons from our stories that hold greater importance. Through personal anecdotes from visits to memorial sites and encounters with individuals deeply affected by loss, he emphasizes the power of memory to inspire actio…

Rabbi Steven Wernick emphasizes the importance of questioning in Judaism as a means to foster understanding and navigate today's polarized environment. He encourages the use of clarifying, reflective, and values-based questions to promote self-awareness and common ground, urging individuals to seek truth and engage in constructive dialogue during Y…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the significance of repentance in the context of current challenges faced by Israel. He emphasizes the need for accountability, regret, confession, resolution, and repair to foster healing and transformation. Excerpt from Shabbat morning service. October 5, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…

Yacov Fruchter reflects on the importance of community, empathy, and connection during times of personal and collective hardship. He emphasizes the power of asking others about their struggles and offering support as a way to heal and build stronger bonds. Excerpt from Rosh Hashanah Short and Sweet service. October 3, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation…

Yacov Fruchter reflects on grief, hope, and resilience in the face of personal and communal loss. He emphasize the need to integrate pain into life while still moving forward, finding strength in unity, hope, and the capacity to heal. Excerpt from Rosh Hashanah Short and Sweet service. October 4, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada…

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on how God could continue to believe in humanity, particularly in light of modern atrocities. She testifies that despite the brokenness of the world, acts of love, compassion, loving-kindness continue to serve as the pillars holding humanity together, even in times of despair. Excerpt from Rosh Hashanah service. October 4,…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the deep impact of October 7, a date that has become synonymous with grief and trauma in Israel and the Jewish community worldwide. The rabbi explores how the sense of isolation, heightened by a lack of global solidarity and a surge of anti-Semitism, has compounded the pain felt after the Hamas attack. Despite this,…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the profound importance of discovering one's purpose, highlighting that every individual is unique and essential, with a distinct role to play in contributing to the world. She calls on the community to deeply consider their responsibilities in these difficult times, encouraging them to embrace hope, resilience,…

Rabbi Shai Held gives a pulpit address on "Love in the Ruins: Responding to Devastation (and to October 7)". Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. September 28, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the commandment to celebrate life's good and its complexities, especially in times of conflict. He explores the tension between celebrating victories over enemies and the moral discomfort it evokes. Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. September 21, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…

Rabbi Lara Rodin reflects on the Jewish tradition of choosing life, joy, and goodness even in the face of darkness and pain. She emphasizes the importance of small, intentional acts of kindness and compassion, reminding us that our choices can bring light to the world and make a profound difference in the lives of others. Excerpt from Shabbat morni…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the significance of choice, unity, and the centralization of worship in Deuteronomy, exploring how these themes shape Jewish identity and community. He discusses the historical and political context of Deuteronomy, highlighting the importance of shared rituals, values, and sacred occasions as the true unifiers of th…

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin explores the meaning of true satisfaction and the viral role gratitude plays in achieving it. August 24, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the return to Israel and reunified Jerusalem, prompting reconsideration of mourning for past destructions, as our current lived experience no longer reflects those losses. However, given the ongoing challenges in Israel and global antisemitism, the need for remembrance and reflection remains relevant, highlighting t…

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the tension between the necessity of war and the hope that it will ultimately bring lasting peace and security. Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. August 8, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Steven Wernick reflects on the historical and moral duty to rescue hostages, emphasizing the importance of valuing human life over material concerns. Drawing on biblical narratives, he explores the complexities of negotiation and redemption. Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. August 3, 2024. Beth Tzedec Congregation Toronto, Canada.…