In Hebrew the phrase hadur mitzvah, means the beautification of a mitzvah. The concept is linked in the Torah with the holiday of Sukkot and the command to take a “fruit from a beautiful tree” -“pri eitz hadar” (Leviticus 23:40). The sages of the Talmud (Sukkah 35a) will identify that fruit specifically with the etrog,…
On Hanukkah we identify with our distinctive history as a people and celebrate the gift of religious freedom. May the glow of the candles prompt blessing, gratitude, and song. On behalf of CBI, wishes to you of a Happy Hanukkah. Your rabbi, Elie Spitz Light the first Hanukkah candle the evening of Sunday, December 2, 2018. Second…
Dear Friends, Thanksgiving celebrates the many gifts in our lives. Please consider adding some sharing with those around your table beginning with “I am grateful for…” May your harvests of gratitude add to your days of happiness. The prayer below, composed by Rabbi Naomi Levy, is a good way to sum up the words that…
Let’s Play More – Rabbi Elie Spitz Play is vital to life. Consider the following imagining found in the Talmud [Avodah Zarah 3b]: “Rav Yehuda says, there are twelve hours in a day. The first three-hours God sits and learns the Torah, the second three-hours he sits and judges the world. The third three- hours God…
High Holy Days 5779 Erev Rosh Hashanah: Takeaways from Sabbatical Travel Rosh Hashanah Day 1: Shofar as Vessel of Judaism’s Call Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Humble: What Does Moses’ Defining Adjective Mean for Us? Kol Nidre: Our Families are Our Builders of Peace- with Interviews. Yom Kippur: Why Ritual? Yom Kippur Testifies Yom Kippur Closing…
Resources from Rabbi’s Yom Kippur Sermon: Motzi Blessing: Say this blessing before eating bread (challah) at the beginning of a meal on Shabbat: Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, Hamotzi lechem min haaretz. Modeh Ani: מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ חַי וְקַיָּם, שֶׁהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְּחֶמְלָה. רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ Modeh anee lefanecha melech chai vekayam, she-he-chezarta bee…
Click here to view the 2018 High Holy Day Greeting Booklet!
In March 2017, John McCain sat near me on a flight to Phoenix. I told him that I like to do interviews and asked if I could ask some questions. He moved over to the empty middle seat and said, “Sit down and fire away.” For over an hour we spoke about his life. In…
High Holiday services are our annual renewal of faith and learning. Our Family Service looks to engage both the young and old in a meaningful experience. With guidance from Rabbi Spitz, I have sculpted an experience that I hope will fulfill your expectations. This is neither a children’s Junior Congregation nor a formal adult prayer…
Joe and Barbara Baim’s generous donation to CBI’s Youth was written up in Orange County Jewish Life Magazine this month!