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RABBI STEPHEN EPSTEIN
רבי שמואל בן-יהושע
A MODERN CONSERVATIVE RABBI
Rabbi at Temple Sholom of Ontario
Serving San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, CA and all of Southern California
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Tu B'Av / טוּ בְּאָב
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bav/ Tu B'Av / טוּ בְּאָב Tu B'Av (Minor Jewish holiday of love) for Hebrew Year 5781 begins...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 20, 20213 min read


This week's 10-MInute Torah (July 24, 2021): "Parashat Vaetchanan" 5781
https://youtu.be/wmfuS4_X4ZQ Parashat Vaetchanan / פרשת וָאֶתְחַנַּן Read on 24 July 2021 (15 Av 5781). Parashat Vaetchanan is the 45th...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 18, 20212 min read


Tisha B’Av 101
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tisha-bav-101/ Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of the month of Av, is the major day of communal...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 16, 20212 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (July 17, 2021): "Devarim" 5781
https://youtu.be/_Z_PgM0vpkE Parashat Devarim / פרשת דְּבָרִים Read on 17 July 2021 (8 Av 5781). Parashat Devarim is the 44th weekly...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 10, 20212 min read


Love Lessons from Lecha Dodi
The mystical poem sung during Kabbalat Shabbat services is a model for our relationship with God -- and with each other. BY SARA ESTHER...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 7, 20214 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (July 10, 2021): "Parashat Matot-Masei" 5781
https://youtu.be/JayAOpDpgZQ Parashat Matot-Masei / פרשת מַּטּוֹת־מַסְעֵי Read on 10 July 2021 (1 Av 5781). Parashat Matot-Masei is the...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jul 3, 20213 min read


July's issue of JLife SGPV
JLife SGPV is officially making the switch to being completely digital https://online.publicationprinters.com/html5/reader/production/def...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 30, 20211 min read


Maimonides (Rambam) and His Texts
One of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time, he was both a traditionalist and an innovator. BY DANNY MOSS Moses Maimonides, also...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 29, 20216 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (July 3, 2021): "Parashat Pinchas" 5781
https://youtu.be/YcR5gz_vRj8 Parashat Pinchas / פרשת פִּינְחָס Read on 3 July 2021 (23 Tamuz 5781). Parashat Pinchas is the 41st weekly...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 27, 20212 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (June, 26, 2021): "Parashat Balak" 5781
https://youtu.be/zdfHbzc9E5I Parashat Balak / פרשת בָּלָק Read on 26 June 2021 (16 Tamuz 5781). Parashat Balak is the 40th weekly Torah...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 18, 20212 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (June 19, 2021): "Parashat Hukat" 5781
https://youtu.be/jdOeft_cZ4E Parashat Chukat / פרשת חֻקַּת Read on 19 June 2021 (9 Tamuz 5781). Parashat Chukat is the 39th weekly Torah...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 13, 20212 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (June 12, 2021): "Parashat Korach" 5781
https://youtu.be/DloN01m0ETE Parashat Korach / פרשת קוֹרַח Read on 12 June 2021 (2 Tamuz 5781). Parashat Korach is the 38th weekly Torah...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 6, 20212 min read


Ashrei: The Connection Between Trust and Happiness
A curious feature of the poetry of this prayer hints at a key component of the quest for happiness. BY SARA ESTHER CRISPE Ashrei Remember...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 3, 20213 min read


Ein Keloheinu: A Blessing Explosion
Recited at the end of Shabbat morning services, this beautiful poem does a lot with a little. BY RACHEL SCHEINERMAN...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Jun 2, 20213 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (June 5, 2021): "Parashat Shelach (Lecha)" 5781
https://youtu.be/O18EOa1r_L4 Parashat Sh'lach / פרשת שְׁלַח־לְךָ Read on 5 June 2021 (25 Sivan 5781). Parashat Sh'lach is the 37th weekly...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 31, 20212 min read


Happy Memorial Day
https://shoutout.wix.com/so/9bNavwvEz?languageTag=en Happy Memorial Day Monday, May 31 Memorial Day 2021 in United States Memorial Day...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 28, 20212 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 29, 2021): "Parashat Beha'alotcha 5781
https://youtu.be/CRiD1f9JXpA Parashat Beha'alotcha / פרשת בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Read on 29 May 2021 (18 Sivan 5781). Parashat Beha'alotcha is the...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 21, 20212 min read


Modeh Ani: It’s Not Just About Gratitude
The first prayer traditionally recited upon awakening in the morning is commonly translated as "I thank you," but that's not all it...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 19, 20213 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 22, 2021): "Parashat Naso" 5781
https://youtu.be/rrMOG6z5RM0 Parashat Nasso / פרשת נָשׂא Read on 22 May 2021 (11 Sivan 5781). Parashat Nasso is the 35th weekly Torah...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 16, 20212 min read


Sermon for Friday Night (May 14, 2021): "Israel Under Attack"
As I sat down to write this week’s sermon, I am confused with turmoil. This week’s sedrah is Bamidbar. The English title is “Numbers”...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 14, 20213 min read
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