Joshua Gerstein, at The Blogs

Oct 14, 2022, 4:08 PM

Love and Kisses, Charlie: WWII letters from a Jewish-American serviceman

This post is 75+ years in the making. I’m beyond humbled to introduce the book launch of “Love and Kisses, Charlie: WWII Letters of a Jewish-American Serviceman.” Featuring my grandfather’s wartime story, it is a collection of actual correspondence between...

Jul 2, 2021, 11:04 AM

Tzlafchod’s daughters and the righteous women of Israel

ציורי תנ"ך / בנות צלפחד /ציירה: אהובה קליין

There are two episodes in the Torah portion of Pinchas which are fascinatingly juxtaposed to one another. The first is a description of the census of the Jewish people after the death of all those who listened to the...

Jun 12, 2020, 10:19 AM

The Connection between the People and the Land of Israel

The Torah portion of Shelach recounts the tragic episode of the Jewish people’s scouting mission to the Land of Israel, and the subsequent punishment for their negative report. The verses state: The Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Send out for...

Apr 7, 2020, 6:08 PM

I.D.F. Soldiers Will Say Kaddish for Your Loved Ones

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak and the closing of Synagogues around the world, those who are in mourning have lost the venue to say Kaddish for their loved ones with a Minyan. In these challenging times the Rabbi’s of...

Apr 3, 2020, 11:15 AM

Shabbat HaGadol:Greatness of Mind in Trying Times

According to the fixed Jewish calendar, during a non-leap year, the reading of Parshat Tzav will coincide with the Shabbat immediately preceding the holiday of Passover. This Shabbat is known as Shabbat HaGadol - The Great Shabbat. There are...

Mar 20, 2020, 8:49 AM

Sanctuary in Space, Sanctity in Time

It goes without saying that the events of this past week could scarcely have been imagined just a short while ago. Across centuries and throughout generations, the Jewish People have turned to the Torah and its weekly portion to...

Dec 16, 2018, 10:24 PM

Givat Asaf, a Place I Will Never Forget

Thursday, December 13th started off like any other normal morning in my home in southern Jerusalem. My oldest son was up bright and early at 5:45 A.M. and promptly went next door to play with his Savta who is...

Nov 30, 2018, 2:01 PM

The Biblical Joseph and the Joseph of 1902

Behold, we were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright, and behold, your sheaves encircled it and prostrated themselves to my sheaf.”… And he again dreamed another dream, and...

Oct 25, 2018, 9:56 AM

The Shabbat Project “Keeping it Together”

This week, October 26/27 is the annual international Shabbat project. First launched in South Africa in 2013, this unique Shabbat experience is now celebrated in 1,152 cities worldwide with numerous events and activities for all ages (Shabbat Project). Understanding...

Aug 31, 2018, 12:29 AM

Jewish Identity and The Message of The First Fruits

Jews and Judaism form a peculiar phenomenon which is found nowhere else in the world; Jews are a nation and Judaism is a religion, yet these two distinct identities are inseparably and uniquely intertwined. Taking a look at the...

About Me

The Author is a Jerusalem based Rabbi and Jewish Educator, and is the author of the Two Volume book "A People, A Country, A Heritage-Torah Inspiration from the Land of Israel."

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