From the Rabbi's Desk

8/28/24        New Year's Letter to the Mekor Community - 5785
4/14/24         Bringing Order to the Seder (Source sheet for class)
3/13/24          Quantum Purim: Navigating Our Chaotic Times (Source sheet for class)
12/12/23         Having it All: Yosef & the Meaning of Chanukah (Source sheet for class)
10/31/23         Orthodox Union & Partners Host Unprecedented City Eruv Conference for Industry Professionals  (article in Yeshiva World; Rabbi Hirsch was a conference participant)
10/20/23       Parshat Noach - "Proactive" (Rabbi Hirsch's latest article about the situation in Israel)
10/9/23          Israel at War - What We Can Do (letter emailed to the Mekor community)
9/28/23         "In Their Merit (In memory of Hersh Waisbord z'l)" (from Rabbi Hirsch's Substack, The Dreamer)
9/5/23           High Holiday Class "The Meaning of Life" - source sheet
8/10/23         Learning Chaburah Hilchot Tefilah
7/27/23        Tisha B'Av Class "Is Peace in Israel Obtainable?" - Audio recording. (Podcast begins at shortly after minute 13.)
7/27/23       Notes for Tisha B'Av Class "Is Peace In Israel Attainable?" 
6/9/23         "The Legend- Eulogy for Hersh Waisbord z'l"  (from Rabbi Hirsch's Substack, The Dreamer)
2/1/23          "Welcoming Everyone to Shul: Why We Should Ensure Our Shuls Embrace LGBTQ+ Jews" (Video of PORAT panel discussion, including Rabbi Hirsch)
12/22/22      Chanukah L'Mehadrin - Source Sheet  
11/4/22        Remembering Rabbi Dov Aaron Brisman (Rabbi Hirsch quoted in Jewish Press Article)
9/24/22       Sermon Nitzavim "Leeway" (Tribute to Rabbi Dov Aharon Brisman zt"l)
9/21/22        High Holidays Class 5783 based on "The Book of Life: A Transformative Guide to the High Holidays"
9/21/22        Rosh Hashana Class 5782-The Rosh Hashana Secret
9/21/22        Yom Kippur Class 5782-The Critical Element in Relationships
5/26/22        Buffalo and Uvalde Shootings
5/1/22          Sermon Kedoshim   "Our Holy Land"
4/30/22       Sermon Acharei Mot  "After Death"
​3/19/22        Sermon Tzav  "Faith & Persistence"
11/1/21          Is Impossible Pork Kosher? -- Audio Recording
11/1/21          Is Impossible Pork Kosher? -- Source Sheet
10/30/21       Chayei Sara (Third Meal) "Animals First?" -- Source Sheet
8/11/21         Kashrut in Center City 2021 (Class) -- Audio recording
8/11/21         Kashrut in Center City 2021 (Class) -- (source page)
8/7/21          Mazal tov to the Mekor Habracha Community!  -- The Center City Mikvah
7/22/21        Letter Protesting Ben & Jerry's Boycott of Israel
5/11/21         Tehillim for Israel - Letter to the Mekor Community
4/30/21       Tragedy in Meron -- Letter to the Mekor Community
4/23/21       Sermon Acharei-Mot-Kedoshim   "A Fragile Treasure"
4/16/21       Sermon Tazria-Metzorah  "Eye-change"
4/9/21         Sermon Shemini  "Practice Is Perfect"
4/2/21          Pesach 21 Day 7 Sermon  "Tower"
3/26/21        Pesach 21 Sermon  "Speech, Speech!"
3/19/21        Sermon Vayikra  "Shabbat Meals on Erev Pesach"
3/12/21        Sermon Vayechel-Pikudei   "Renewal"
3/9/21         Thank you letter from Matanot L'Evyonim recipient
3/5/21         Sermon Ki Tisa/Shabbat Parah  "Life from Death"
2/26/21       Sermon Tetzaveh  "Deferred"
2/19/21       Sermon Terumah  "Out of the Blue (Moon)"
2/12/21       Sermon Mishpatim - Shekalim "GameStop"
2/5/21        Sermon Yitro "Derech Eretz and Inclusion"
1/29/21       Sermon Beshalach "Addicted to the Path"
1/22/21       Sermon Bo  "Cure First"
1/21/21        The Covid Vaccine in Halacha - Rabbi Hirsch's podcast
1/15/21        Sermon Vaeira  "Step Back"
1/8/21         Sermon Shemot  "Positive Spin" (Tribute to David Glyn z'l)
1/1/21         Sermon Vayechi  “The End is Near” (Tribute to Dr. Rebbetzin Aviva Weisbord zt'l)
12/25/20    Sermon Vayigash  "Woe Unto Us"
12/18/20    Sermon Mikeitz  "The Flame"
12/11/20     Sermon Vayeishev-Chanukah  "Led by the Blind"
​12/4/20     ​ Sermon Vayishlach  "What's Your Name"
11/27/20     Sermon Vayeitzei  "Modeh Ani"
11/20/20     Sermon Toldot  "Action!"
11/13/20     Sermon Chayei Sarah  "Final Test"
10/17/20    Sermon Bereisheet "Snake.Pray. Live."
10/10/20    Sermon Shemini Atzeret  "Bittersweet"
9/26/20     Sermon Haazinu/Shabbat Shuva "Sit"
9/12/20      Sermon Netzavim-Vayeilech "The (Last) Day"
9/5/20       Sermon Ki Tavo "Happy"
​8/29/20     Sermon Ki Teitzei  "Remember"
8/22/20     Sermon Shoftim  "Deuces"
8/15/20      Sermon Re'eh  "I See"   
​8/8/20       Sermon Eikev  "Bury the Past"   
7/31/20      Sermon Vaetchanan "Find Favor"
7/24/20      Sermon Devarim "In His Own Words"
7/17/20       Sermon Matot-Masai  "Meaningful Moments"
7/10/17       Sermon Pinchas "It's Not So Bad"
7/3/20        Sermon Chukat-Balak  "Where Are We Going?"
6/26/20      Sermon Korach "Skinhead"
6/19/20      Sermon Shelach "Impossible"
​6/12/20       Sermon Beha'alotecha "Misguided Assertiveness"
6/5/20        Sermon Naso "Service of Service"
5/31/20       D'var Torah -- Evening of Prayer and Unity
5/28/20      Sermon - Shavuot  "Complete"
5/22/20      Guide to At-home Services for Shavuot 2020
5/22/20      Sermon Bamidbar "Numbered by Name"
5/15/20       Sermon Behar-Bechukotai "Our Walk"
5/1/20         Sermon Acharei Mot-Kedoshim - "Any Day"
4/17/20       Sermon Shemini - "Supernatural"
4/13/20       Sermon - Last Days of Pesach, 2020 - "Lose-Lose"
4/7/20        Sermon - Pesach Day 1, 2020 - "Praiseworthy Criticism"
4/6/20        Guide to at-home services for Pesach 2020
3/27/20       Sermon Vayikra - "Spring Break"
3/20/20       Sermon Vayakhel-Pekudei - "Corona Process" 
3/13/20       Covid-19:  Mekor Update
​3/6/20        Message from Rabbi Hirsch about the Coronavirus
1/11/20       Sermon Vayechi - "Alive & Well in Exile" 
12/26/19     D'Var Torah on Miketz - "Beautiful" (Published in Philadelphia Jewish Link)
12/22/19     A Message from Rabbi Hirsch - Mekor's 5th Annual Gala
11/16/19      D'Var Torah on Vayeira - "Cruel to the Core"       
9/24/19      Acceptance Speech for Guardian of Israel Award at ZOA Gala (Printed speech)  (Video Link)
9/12/19      D'var Torah on  Ki Teitzei - "The 'Key' to the New Year" (Published in Philadelphia Jewish Link)
5/5/19       Sermon Acharei Mot - "Vulnerable" (Poway) 
​4/16/19     Letter from Israel - Includes excerpt from Bringing Order to the Seder: A Modern Guide to the Traditional Passover Haggadah
3/22/19    D'var Torah on Parshat Tzav - "Enthusiasm Makes All the Difference" (Published in Jewish Exponent & Washington Jewish Week) 
1/27/19     Speech at Mekor's 4th Annual Gala  (Printed   Article)  (Audio link)
1/2/19       Message about Mekor's 10th Anniversary Celebration
11/3/18      Sermon Chayei Sarah (Shabbat morning) - "Pittsburgh"
11/2/18      Sermon Chayei Sarah (Friday night) - "#showupforshabbat"
10/14/18   Mekor's Hachnasat Sefer Torah
12/28/17   Rabbis Can Run 
10/22/17   Major David Zohar's Death
9/14/17     Benediction at ZOA Gala - "Jewish Revenge" (Click here for video)
8/5/17       Special Sermon Va'Etchanan - "Lucky Man"