Levi Brackman’s Website

Corruption, sin and hypocrisy are unfortunate facts of life and to give up on religion because of hypocritical and corrupt religious leaders is to throw out the baby with the bathwater 

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What, however, should the role of a synagogue be in the life of a Jew?
 
How often have you heard people say, “I am a Jew at heart although I do not go to the synagogue much?” Somehow during the High Holidays Jews seem to flock to the synagogue in much greater numbers. What, however, should the role of a synagogue be in the life of a Jew?

Historically, the synagogue only became a permanent institution in Jewish communities after the destruction of the first temple when most Jews were exiled to Babylonia.

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Jewish spirituality was the topic for debate at a recent rabbinic conference. Some claimed that Judaism does not believe in the individual quest for spirituality and that communal holiness as opposed to individual spirituality is what distinguishes Judaism from Buddhism.

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Anything to excess is not good for us. Too much anger can ruin a relationship as can an excess of kindness. Overeating is harmful, but an over- preoccupation with becoming slender can lead to anorexia. As Maimonides said, one must live a balanced life, steering the middle path between too much or too little of anything. All this is easier said than done, and for many of us the battle to keep on track is ongoing. The key is to understand where the potential for excess come from and for this we must understand how excess works vis-à-vis G-d.

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