Tag: kol nidre

By Rabbi Robin Sparr. When I first came to TEMV, a member mentioned she felt a sermon was only successful if it gave her something to think about, and something to do. Throughout these High Holy Days, I’ve made sure to include a specific call to action in each sermon. I thank the many of you who signed postcards addressed to the Speaker of the House last week regarding our country’s immigration policies; if you did not have an opportunity to do so, there are still additional postcards at the sign-in table, and I would be happy to post them for you. Tomorrow I will ask you to take action again, in support of those facing food insecurity. But tonight, at Kol Nidrei, as we engage in an accounting of our souls, I invite you to take action for yourself. (more…)...

Rabbi Robin S. Sparr: Gutt yontif. Last year in this slot, I talked about forgiveness, and how difficult it can be to forgive in a genuine and healing way. This year, I’d like to take a step back, look before forgiveness, and to focus instead on the idea of SIN. What is a sin? What does the word really mean? The dictionary defines sin as “an offense against God, religion, or good morals.” But somehow, the word “sin” makes many of us uncomfortable. We may bristle, or cower, at the word “sin.” It feels like an old fashioned word, a descriptor for truly unspeakable acts, something dark and ominous. In our old, recently retired, machzor, Gates of Repentance, we encountered the word “sin” dozens and dozens – perhaps hundreds – of times. Surely, each of us is deeply flawed, entertaining dark thoughts and feelings, and often acting in ways that do not represent our highest ideals. But the multiple recountings of our long lists...