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Sermons and Articles
Addictive Culture
Life inherently confronts each of us with the pains of conflict. We must learnfrom these experiences to better prepare ourselves to live and not to escape fromlife by choosing the path of hedonism.
Adonai/Elohim
The two faces of God: Elohim and Adonai. Yom Kippur, 1991
Afterlife
You are what has been and you determine what will be. To create your own immortality, learn how to live in this life
An Akedah Lesson by Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis: Obedience & Conscience An article in the November 2005 Bulletin of Congregation Berith Shalom
An Appeal for AIPACJanuary 29, 2003
Armenian Shabbat Service: In Honor of the Martyrs of Armenia A shabbat service in rememberance of the Armenian Genocide. April 27, 2007
Behind the Twelve Steps: The God in Victory and the God in Defeat Significant differences between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur exist. On Rosh Hashana we deal with that which we can change. On Yom Kippur we confront that which we cannot change.Yom Kippur, 1996
Beyond Interfaith Marriage Why Jewish inreach and outreach are essential to continued Jewish existence. Rosh Hashana, 2003
The Bias Against Man"Jew! Child of Prophets, Create a Brighter Future!"
Blacks and Jews: Shackled Together. There is a gap of misunderstanding between blacks and Jews , but bridges to understanding exist.
Board Installation 2000Let Judaism serve as a light to the world.
The Board and the People 2002 The board installation took place on the
evening of Shemini Atzeret, 2002.
The Body and the Pursuit of Happiness Hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure, is the unspoken philosophy of young and old among us. What has this
culture done to us and our children? A proposal for the creation of the VBS Institute at VBS for supporting and strengthening the family. Yom Kippur, 2006.
The Book and the Sword There are "hawks" and "doves," but they are birds of a feather. They are both needed in the aviary of our dreams. Neither hawk nor dove ought to be encaged. They must be allowed to fly together. Yom Ha Aztmaout - May 9, 2008.
Bosnia, India and the Way We Are Throughout the ages, Jews have tasted bitter tears. We must cry out and act when we taste the salt in the tears of any people.
Both/And: Judaism and Christianity Jewish/Christian Intermarriage;each who enters therein should know their history and know their roots. There is a chasm dividing the two that can not be bridged.
Buber's Origins of ChasidismBuber's Chasidism called for a renewal of the soul of Judaism--a yearning for intimacy, warmth and relationships--godliness in human interactions--and
sanctity of the ordinary.
Bulgarian Rescue of its Jews The Bulgarian rescue of its Jews during World War II. April 12, 2002
Cardinal Roger MahonyA powerful and moving welcome upon the momentous visit of the Cardinal to Shabbat services in our synagogue, December 9, 1994.
Catholic-Jewish Relations: Post-Holocaust Recognition of the Catholic Church's
recent efforts against anti-semitism. The importance of continued Jewish-Catholic dialog. Yom Kippur, 1999
Catholic-Jewish Relations
A speech delivered at an "Evening of Understanding and Hope," a dialog of Jewish and Catholic scholars, including Cardinal Roger Mahoney and Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis. September 29, 1999.
Chag v' Chesed: Holiday Dvar Tzedek Rosh Hashana 5769 At Rosh Hashanah, we remember that Godâs creation calls for human collaboration. Creation carries within it the plentitude of potentiality that needs to be actualized. American Jewish World Service Publication, 2008.
The Character of Halachah Entering the Twenty-First Century The Survival of Judaism may depend upon a redefining of Halachah.
Bill Clinton's letterFormer President Bill Clinton praises Rabbi Schulweis's Jewish World Watch efforts on behalf of Darfur. November 1, 2005
Confessions From The Rabbi's Study on Intermarriage The problem in the contemplation of intermarriage often is the Jewish partner's lack of understanding of, and serious commitment to, Judaism.
Conscience - Tishrei 5769 The urgent challenge for religion is to provide religious groups with the resources needed to resist immoral authority. Judaism is morally obligated to instill the sanctity of conscience that may balance the culture of obedience with the culture of moral disobedience. Rosh Hashana 2008
Conscience: The Duty to Obey and the Duty to Disobey book review Haaretz, October 2008.
Conversation with the Angel of Death Who shall live and who shall die - Are illness and death God's punishment or the amorality of nature? Rosh Hashana, 1991
A Courageous Christian Friend Rabbi Schulweis's comments on The Reverend Doug Huneke article (also reprinted herewith) wherein the reverend rails against the Presbyterian Church's stand on the divestment from its portfolio of firms doing business with Israel and its stand on missionizing of Jews. October, 2004
Creating Pariahs in the Jewish Community A strong objection to the Statement of Religious Qualifications which declares that Ramah Conservative Camps may admit only halachically Jewish children.
On Cremation Judaism and the problem of cremation. Yizkor, April 4, 2003
Darfur Vigil Darfur Summer Vigil speech. July 21, 2005
Darfur Deserves Attention of Jews An article by Rabbi Schulweis in the Daily News. April 3, 2007
The Death and Dying of Moses A midrash: Moses did not go gently into that good night. He desperately wanted to see the Promised Land, but it was not to be.
Does God Hear Our Questions? Children's Questions About God You may question God, but look to yourself for answers.
D'var Torah For Jewish Welfare Federation December 12, 2007
Dying We LiveThere are Jewish imperatives to employ for the difficult decision of chosing life or death for the terminally ill. Yom Kippur, 1995
Echad
The oneness of God, the oneness of our people and the deep interdependence and intertwining of all things, is at the core of Jewish spiritual wisdom. Rosh Hashana, 1997
Either/Or
An argument against absolutism, and "yes-or-no" thinking. "Either/Or" is split thinking, which destroys the ethical genius of Judaism based on "Both/And" oneness. Yom Kippur, 2007
Ethics of the Neighbor"Neighbor," in "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself" should be defined in the broadest possible terms. May, 2004.
Farrakhan and JewsTikkun olam(repair the world): Don't let a Farrakhan stop you.
Forgiveness
The sincerity of the person who seeks forgiveness is shown by true repentance, changed behavior and transformation of character; forgiving does not mean forgetting nor causing guilt but keeping in mind that there are still good people,heroes and goodness in the world.
Forgiveness and ReconciliationGod forgives. God seeks reconciliation. Should we ask less of ourselves. It is time for us to forgive and repair relationships which have been ruptured. Rosh Hashana, 2000.
The Fourth SonGod forgives. How to teach socially responsive, morally responsible Jewish spirituality to the "neither/nor fourth son." How to inform the searcher who does not know how to ask about the depth in prayer, ritual and Jewish philosophy. The Rabbinical Assembly, 2000.
The Fundamentalist Mind-Set After September 11, 2001--"Who speaks for God?". Yom Kippur, 2001.
Get Out of the CaveAfter September 11, 2001--The importance of brotherhood and unity. Let us respond by returning to the global Judaism that is our inheritance. Rosh Hashana, 2001.
Globalism and JudaismJudaism ia a global, universal religion. Valley Beth Shalom will start a "Jewish World Watch" to protest genocide in the world. Rosh Hashana, 2004.
Gossip and the Havurah (Tazria-Metzora) Words can heal; words can harm; words are the mirror of our soul.
Gun Control and ViolenceGun Control and Violence: A Jewish answer.
High Holiday Response to the Outreach of Pope John Paul II There is a slow irregular rapprochement happening between two faith communities through Tshuvah, an examination of conscience.
Honoring the Adult B'not Mitzvah 5764 Shabbat Pesach 2004.
How Do You Begin?Begin anew with your own fresh prayers. Selichot, 2002
How I Became A Zionist Rabbi Schulweis relates his journey to Zionism. Rosh Hashana 2006
How & Why HassidimPray The meaning of prayer examined by contrasting Chassidicprayer with Mitnagid prayer, and the conflict between study and prayer; the brainand the heart; duty and passion, the self and the world. Selichot 1995.
I Believe...Beliefs about God, self, diaspora, Israel and covenant.
If I am Only For Myself...An article about Jewish World Watch and Darfur by Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis in "Hadassah Magazine" August/September 2006 .
The Individual in the Jew The image of God isn't found in the Rabbi's teachings, community praying, or even the Torah; it's hidden deep in your soul, requiring serious introspection for it to provide you with the peace you seek. Rosh Hashana, 1994
Invocation for General Barak An introduction of Ehud Barak. December 8, 2002
Israel in Crisis An impassioned speech for Israel at the "Rally for Israel in Crisis" at the end of the Israel/Hezbollah War. August 21, 2006
Israel & the Peace Process Hatred and anger can destroy wisdom and understanding. Shemini Atzeret, 1995.
Israel: The Land andthe Therapy The Jew and Israel-inseparable; forever bound by history as well as the world.
Israel Solidarity RallyLet us not allow the renewed fighting in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel dissuade us from pursuing peace with the Palestinians. October 12, 2000
Jealousy: The Green Root of EvilTerrible consequences come from parental favoritism. Given that, how does Mordecai Kaplan interpret Israel's choseness.
Jewish Civility and Interdemoninationalism A heartfelt plea, based on Jewish principles, for the unity of all Jews and an end to the divisiveness that comes from interdenominational strife.
Jewish ConscienceJewish conscience; tasting the salt in another person's tears. Yom Kippur, 1993
Jewish Political Conscience How the Torah and Talmud guide us in making our political choices. Respect and compassion are the grounds of Jewish sensibility, spirituality and action.
Jewish Spirituality and Jewish Fundraising There is more to Jewish fund raising than just seeking money.
Jewish World Watch Eyes the National Stage Jewish Journal article about Jewish World Watch. June 16, 2006
Jews in Crisis - A gathering at VBS: Introduction of Rabbi Melchior This is not a war against Israel or against Jews alone. This is a war against the achievements of Western civilizations and we will not stand idly by. May 13, 2002
Jonah And The Whale and In Us The message of the Book of Jonah is: we cannot run away from our conscience, but rather must heed the call of the moral revolution of Judaism--change is possible and it is the soul of repentance. Selichot, 1994.
Judaism Without AuthoritarianismDespite protestations to the contrary, Man surrenders his freedom to despots who offer blind enslavement and "bread" in return. Judaism's character struggles against this. Rosh Hashana, 1993
Keeping Faith in an Insane World In the face of "causeless hatred," there is only the search and practive of "causeless love." Rosh Hashana, 2007
Keruv, Conversion and the Unchurched Outreach Lecture 1, 1997: Introduction, God Did Not Create Religion, Judaism As A Religious Civilization, Pluralism, The Uniqueness Of The Jewish Prophet.
Keruv Shabbat 1997: In Appreciation of Jews by Choice As the historical reasons for discouraging conversion no longer exist, a new outreach program at Valley Beth Shalom is created.
Keruv - The Uniqueness of Judaism - Lecture I The Image of God. 1998.
Keruv - The Uniqueness of Judaism - Lecture II In Search of Oneness. 1998.
Keruv - The Uniqueness of Judaism - Lecture III The Master Story - Passover. 1998.
Keruv - The Uniqueness of Judaism - Lecture IV Reflections on Dying, Death and the Hereafter. 1998.
Leprosy of Words The seriousness of slander in the Jewish tradition.
The Lonliness of the Rabbi New challenges, new questions, new facts, new changes in society; all cause the rabbi to face the solitariness of making decisions alone.
Love with a Bearhug Around My Soul Doubting is part of the process toward faith. Achieving a pluralistic approach to Judaism requires a reservation of criticisms in order to see the brightness of another view.
Lucy Cohen's Father is Jewish Discussion of patrilineal descent as a determinant of who is a Jew.
Master and Slave Morality How the Jews began liberation theology.
Me and We The emergence of the “privatist Jew” is a critical phenomenon that confronts the Jewish community. The erosion of the community in secular and religious life challenges the ethic of Judaism. Yom Kippur 2008.
The Measurement of Man: The Quest for Spiritual Intelligence Emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and the capacity to hope all may be better predictors of success than IQ. Rosh Hashana, 1996
Memory and AngerThe role of the Righteous Gentiles during the Holocaust
The Mirror of Inreach and Outreach Outreach to non-Jews energizes Jewish self-awareness. It does not compete with Jewish inreach, and may stimulate it.
The Mitzvah of ConversionSince Judaism is a universal religion, and since the historical prohibitions against conversion no longer exist, the time has come to consider outreach to the unchurched.
The Mitzvah to Encourage the Convert The proper use of the Rabbi in an interfaithless marriage ceremony.
Morality, Legality and Homosexuality For moral reasons and halachic interpretations based on new information, Judaism should no longer see homosexuality as an abomination. Rosh Hashana 1992
Mordecai M. Kaplan's "Soterics" as a Metaphysiscal Theology: An Analysis
Moses: A Portrait of Spiritual Audacity.A prophet empowered like no other. A religious hero exemplifying human-divine interdependence.
Moses: A Portrait of Spiritual Audacity.A prophet empowered like no other. A religious hero exemplifying human-divine interdependence.
Multiple Loyalties To love Judaism is to love humanity. First Annual State of Humanity Forum.
October 17, 2006
Nietzsche and PassoverJudaism's unique morality, crystallized in Biblical law and honed in the rabbinical tradition, contradicts Nietzsche's idea of what a former slave people's morality "outght" to become. Passover celebrates this triumph of the radical moral character of Judaism.
Obedience and ConscienceMoral conscience vs. blind faith. Rosh Hashana, 1999
Outreach to Jewish Secularists and AtheistsDo not cry, "Infidel!", "Heretic!", "Unbeliever!", "Cynic!", "Skeptic!" but cry, "Echad", the Oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, the oneness of the Jewish people. Recognize that there is Godliness that resides in each of us. Yom Kippur 2004
After "The Passion"Rabbi Schulweis discusses Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ". March 13, 2004
Passover: Exodus and RedemptionThe Passover story is at the center of our religious, moral and ethical code; the seder is our annual reminder.
The Passover: Physics, Magic, Mystery and Authority Which to choose: Faith, Fakirs and Fakers.
Post-Holocaust Recovery: An Appeal For Moral Education To ignore the good deeds of the rescuers of the Holocaust is to succumb to the villainy of evil.
The Pragmatics of Pluralism How to bridge the gaps over the divides of denominationalism of Jewish life.
In Praise of Italy: In Gratitude and Appreciation The role Italy and Italians played in saving Jews during the Holocaust
Prayer ExpectationsWe are obligated to pray not only for our own sakes but for the sake of God. We should strive for a balance between kevah (structure and constancy) and kavanna (intention and spontaneity) which requires wisdom, love, compassion and action. for human solidarity. 1995.
Is Prayer Magic By every law of nature, logic, and means, those very same factors which allow magic to be considered magic, totally disallow prayer to be considered anything even slightly similar to magic.
The Priestly BenedictionAlthough the priests blessed us, they were not regarded as having special Godly powers. Rather they, like the king, were human, fallible, and served at the will of the people.&
The Prince and the Turkey Becoming all that you can be.
The Pursuit of SuccessLearn to value goodness above success. Yom Kippur, 2003.
The Rabbi Facing ModernityRabbi Schulweis describes the formation of para-Judaic (para-rabbinic) counselors to bridge the gap between personal spiritual life in the home, rites of passage and the traditions of the synagogue.
Rabbi Joseph SoloveitchikAn exposition of the best in modern Orthodox thinking with the underlying modern philosophical conflicts between emotion and reason, faith and science. Selichot, 1993.
The Rabbi as a Sacred Goat Selichot, 2003
Rabbi Schulweis Rallies Help for the Oppressed AbroadA Christian Science Monitor article focuses on Rabbi Schulweis's innovative incubation of Jewish World Watch at Valley Beth Shalom and the worldwide benefits of interfaith social activism. March 3, 2008.
Repentence Out of Love and Repentence Out of Fear I have sinned. Let me be reconciled out of love and not out of fear. Or. . .Don't read this if you are perfect and have never sinned! Yom Kippur, 1994
A Response to the Assassins of Rabin The pain and truth surrounding the assassination––the killing of a human being by a Jew who must have studied the writings about the holiness of life and "tselem elohim," the image of God––contradicts what halacha teaches about right and wrong, the character of an individual, and the avoidance of schisms in Judaism.
Restructuring the Synagogue: The Creation of Havurot Within the Synagogue Why and how Rabbi Schulweis instituted the idea of Havurot within the synagogue.
Resurrection Through Organ Transplantation Consider organ donation, it brings life to he who receives and she who gives.
Sabbath--The Sabbath of Yom Kippur The Sabbath can bring balance, sanity and spirituality to our lives. Yom Kippur, 1997
For The Sake Of Our Children The oneness of our people is being torn apart as we excommunicate each other by causeless hatred. Repair can come through causeless love.
Salvador Dali's Moses Statue Salvador Dali shows Moses to be a divided man in all his humanity--always in between. God and Moses have a kinship in the common effort to lead the people to their spiritual potentiality.
Santa ClaustrophobiaThere are serious differences between Christmas and Hannukkah. What you need to know about yourself and your Judaism and how to explain it to your kids and grandkids.
The Sculpture of George Segal: Skirball Museum Lecture – View the sculpture by George Segal of Abraham and Isaac through the eyes of faith and morality. May, 1977.
In Search of ComfortHonoring the Catholic Rescuers. Yom HaShoah Service, April 28, 2006
A Second Look At HomosexualityAnother plea to recognize that traditional law regarding homosexuals is not frozen. Judaism should no longer regard homosexuality as an abomination. Shaming others is an abomination which we should cleanse from our midst. December, 1996
Secular Science and Jewish Faith In Judaism there is no dichotomy between Torah and science. Science is concerned with "what is." History is concerned with "what was." Torah is concerned with "what should be." Yom Kippur 2002.
Self-revelation: Hiding and Seeking Facing the hidden in ourselves--our mortality. Torah is a reflection of our own inner lives.
Selichoth: Which Voice Do You Hear The story of the binding of Isaac can be seen as an evolution of Judaism from a time of blind faith to a time wherein we are instructed to follow God with one's mind and moral judgment. Selichot, 1999.
A Sense of TragedyWhoever refuses to acknowledge past tragedies and pain, searching only for life's pleasures, robs himself of the greatest pleasure of all: the gratification and fulfillment which come from the joy of using to its fullest, all which is still his. Yizkor, 1997.
Shiva is for ForgivenessShivah is a time to honor memories, whether good or bad. Passover Yizkor, 1996.
Social Darwinism & Jewish Political Life A strong call for political action to form a non partisan Jewish Coalition based on Jewish principles of morality, and to oppose social Darwinism which allows the weak and least favored to go under. Rosh Hashana, 1995.
J. B. Soloveitchik and the Lonely Self Harold Schulweis proposes the creation of a synagogue based Judaic para-professionl program to combat the loneliness and isolation of today's society.
The Synagogue as a Therapeutic Community How VBS's volunteer programs create a synagogue which extends itself to heal the members of its community.
Synagogue & Hospital: A Tale of Two Sanctuaries From the sanctuary of the hospital Rabbi Schulweis contemplates the sanctuary of Judaism. Judaism empahsizes the importance of making life meaningful on earth; other religions choose to stress salvation. Rosh Hashana 2002.
Then The Holy One Came and Slaughtered The Angel of Death: Vegetarianism and Keeping Kosher Considering vegetarnianism as a higher order of keeping kosher.&
Theological CourageA personal theological journey into the existential questions of the problems of evil and the two aspects of God: nature and morality.
Is the Torah True or False? What you might hear if you watched two of today's formost attorneys arguing the cases for and against a literal translation of the Torah.
The Two Faces of GodChoose carefully; before you try to change the world, change yourself.
Two Prophets, One Soul: Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelTwo Prophets: Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel; they shed the same tears.
Tzedakah: The Gift of the Soul How Tzedakah, a root virtue in Judaism, should be carried out. Selichot, 1997
Was God In the EarthquakeGod's role in natural disasters, in this case the earthquake, is examined by considering the Jewish understanding of the two aspects of God, Elohim and Adonai; the God of Nature and the God of Humanity.
What I Learned From the Clinton Affair Rabbi Schulweis's post-impeachment commentary on National Public Radio. February 12, 1999
With What Shall We Enter the New Century? A new spirit and a new way of thinking can counteract our polarization and our terrible anger coming from the century of the Shoah.
From Which End of the Shofar? Ethical action can be like the sound of the shofar- there are high notes and low notes and sadly, no notes. Yom Kippur, 1992
The Wounded HealerRabbi Schulweis, having recently recovered from an illness himself, gives guidelines for visiting the sick.
Yitzhak Rabin: Memorial Service A memorial service for the assassinated Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin.
Your People, My People Jews by Choice write of their journey to Judaism.
Yizkor: The Hidden Matzah and Kosovo on my Mind Passover is the root story for western civilization. Passover of the past is a pretaste of the society that is yet to be.
Yizkor - The Passover of the Future The rituals of Passover illustrate that the Jewish Messianic dream is not to escape from the world, but to repair this earthly universe.
Yom Kippur with MorrieThe richness and depth of the Jewish tradition is lost to Morrie's children. . .and often to our children as well. Yom Kippur, 2000.
Poetry and Meditations
Birth/Brith
Above All, Teach This Newborn Child
Brith Covenant on the Eighth Day
Cleft On the Upper Lip
From Where Did You Come
In My Arms
Not Where but When
Parents at a Birth
Whose Am I?
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Bar-Bat Mitzvah
The Birth of Conscience
A Parent's Dream
My Grandson's Bar Mitzvah
A Parent's Perspective
Reflections of a Parent
Reflections of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah: The Day After
The Wedding
Bride and Groom
Marriage the Great Choice
Mirror Eyes
The Glass is Broken
Twoness
Wine, Canopy, Ring and Glass
Yet (For Malka)
In Sickness and Health
Based on Psalm 77
Healing Insights
Mi Shebeirach
Nature Pursues its Own Course
On The Miracle of Recovery
Post Operative
Mourning
Alone Together
Bitter-sweet: In the Memory of a Child
Comforting the Comforters
Consolation
Death and Free Choice
Eulogy For One Remembered
Fear of Death
For Those Beloved Who Survive Me
Graveside Reflections
Holding On and Letting Go
How To Mourn
It Is Never Too Late
Krieh - Tearing the Cloth
Life and Death
Returning From The Funeral
Sanctified Mourning
Sculpting Memory
Strange Envy
The Shiva Candle is Lit
Where is Grandma?
The Yahrzeit Glass
Godliness and Immortality
Between
Elohim and Adonai: Genesis I & Genesis II
Elohim - Adonai
Who are they to me?
Godliness
Touch My Heart
Television Interview
The American Muslim Hour Interview
of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, March 19, 2002
Jewish Spiritual Leaders Series
Mordecai M. Kaplan
Franz Rosenzweig
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