Jewish Future
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Episode 11: “Enduring Symbols of Faith

After Elijah the Prophet himself came to complete a minyan for nine worshipers on Yom Kippur, they named the synagogue after him and await with great anticipation for his return.

A true story? Or a nice Jewish fable?

Either way – what does the name of this site teach us about our future? When we say “Next year in Jerusalem” do we really mean it? Or is it just another cliché that we blurt out without intention?

Explore this little known site – and these larger questions – with OTS President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander.

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Episode 10: “Balancing Security with Morality”

What is more correct – to sacrifice morality for the sake of security, or to preserve our values at all cost?

This is the dilemma that was faced by King Chezkiyahu of Judah after Assyria destroyed the Kingdom of Israel. Chezkiyahu made a choice – and received harsh criticism for it from the prophet Isaiah.

And us? How do we deal with conflicts between moral values and national security today?

Watch the tenth episode of “If These Stone Could Talk” with OTS President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, sharing thought-provoking stories from sites throughout Israel.

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Episode 9: “Late for an Important Date”

Why did the Temple contain more entrances than exits on its Southern Wall?

What contemporary message can we extrapolate for our synagogues from this engineering decision of the rabbis and the prophets?

Watch the ninth episode of “If These Stones Could Speak” to find out!

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Episode 8: “The Aguna’s Cry Emerges From the Stones

Have you ever heard of the “Aguna’s Beit Midrash” in Jerusalem?

In recognition of International Aguna Day, which falls on Taanit Esther, watch this amazing story about hope and tragedy, building and destruction, and the decision to create something positive in the face of sadness.

It’s a story that reminds us that a building is so much more than just stones, and that we must strive to always build on the foundations of social justice and tikkun olam.

For more information on halakhic prenuptial agreements
In the USA: www.theprenup.org
In Israel: www.haheskem.org.il
For those who live in other countries, please contact yadlaisha@ots.org.il

If you or someone you know is having trouble procuring a get, contact Yad La’isha: The Monica Dennis Goldberg Legal Aid Center

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Episode 7: “Which Comes First, Goodness or God?

How does one building symbolize the essence of Judaism?

The “Zoharei Chama” building in Jerusalem’s Nachlaot area was established about a hundred years ago to serve as a center of goodness: new immigrants were invited to eat and sleep there for free, until they managed to get on their feet.

The building is comprised of three floors of chessed – topped by one floor for prayer, overlooking the Temple Mount.

Because everything, even our relationship with God, must be built on a strong foundation of lovingkindness.

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Episode 6: “Poisonous Pens and Slanderous Tongues”

What can we learn from the corrupt priestly families of the Second Temple period about our own modern era – when people hide behind the anonymity of their screens and their hands are light on the keyboards?

“Woe is me, through the House of Katros and their pens,” says the Talmud in a poetic listing of priestly families who abused their positions of power. The Katros family is called out for writing slanderous letters to Caesar in Rome, spreading false rumors that defamed their Jewish brethren – and the end is known to us all: the complete destruction of the Temple and the fall of Jerusalem, where the Katros family lived.

Are the Katros’ poisonous pens similar to our modern era keyboards? What is our modern-day takeaway from this social division and fraternal strife that caused our nation to fall?

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Episode 5: “A Pillar of Triumph? Or a Warning for the Future?”

You know of the Arch of Titus in Rome, but did you know that the Romans also erected a triumphal stone pillar in Jerusalem in praise of the Roman general’s victory in the Jewish war and destruction of the Temple? To rebuild the Temple, should we remove this pillar of glory? Or must we remove something else, from within ourselves?

Watch the fifth episode of this fascinating web series with OTS President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, exploring the special stories behind diverse sites throughout Israel.

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Episode 4: “In Search of Meaningful Prayer”

“The stones remember the prayers and the tears” explained the shul gabbai as he refused to allow the floor of his synagogue to be dismantled and used in a grand mosaic floor installation at Hadassah Hospital.

Today, this story’s protagonists are gone, but the stones remain – and they tell a story of authentic prayer. Watch the fourth episode in Rabbi Kenneth Brander’s powerful new series, “If These Stones Could Speak” about the hidden messages from our past that exist throughout the Land of Israel.

This week’s episode is dedicated in memory of the victims of this Shabbat’s terror attack who lost their lives outside of a different synagogue in Jerusalem. May all of the injured victims have a refua shlayma, a quick and full recovery.

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Episode 3: “Elevating the Mundane”

How did Napoleon’s royal coat get from the snowy plains of Russia to the “Beit Israel” synagogue in Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem – the first shul to be built outside the Old City walls?

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Episode 2: “A Community Built by Unity”

In Jerusalem, there’s a well-known Orthodox synagogue whose land was donated by the Conservative movement, while its first Torah scroll was dedicated by none other than Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, Israel’s first Chief Rabbi. Would such a cooperation be possible today? 

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Episode 1: “A Matter of Trust”

Why was there a large oven built behind the “Hagra” Synagogue in Jerusalem’s Shaarei Chesed neighborhood? Does the fact that each family has its own oven today distance us from one another? And how can we recreate a cohesive, trusting community atmosphere?

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“If These Stones Could Speak” is a powerful new video series following  OTS President and Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Kenneth Brander as he explores off the beaten track sites throughout Israel.  In each week’s short video, Rabbi Brander will bring to life long-forgotten stories and uncover hidden messages from the past that will help us build a better, more just and more unified future.

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