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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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This year's 10-Minute Torah for Shavuot (May 17 & 18, 2021): "Parashat Shavuot" 5781
https://youtu.be/lSVmJIwv724 Shavuot I / שָׁבוּעוֹת יוֹם א׳ Torah Portion: Exodus 19:1-20:23; Numbers 28:26-28:31 This Torah reading for...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 10, 20211 min read


Shabbat Shalom
Ontario, California, USA Shabbat Times Yom Yerushalayim occurs on Monday, May 10 Rosh Chodesh Sivan occurs on Wednesday, May 12 Candle...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 10, 20214 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 15, 2021): "Parashat Bamidbar" 5781
https://youtu.be/Lt3zcw1kECQ Parashat Bamidbar / פרשת בְּמִדְבַּר Read on 15 May 2021 (4 Sivan 5781). Parashat Bamidbar is the 34th...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 9, 20212 min read


Shabbat Shalom
Ontario, California, USA Shabbat Times Candle lighting: 7:21pm on Friday, May 7 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Behar-Bechukotai...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 3, 20213 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 8, 2021): "Parashat Behar-Bechukotai" 5781
Parashat Behar-Bechukotai / פרשת בְּהַר־בְּחֻקֹּתַי Read on 8 May 2021 (26 Iyyar 5781). Parashat Behar-Bechukotai is the 32nd and 33rd...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
May 2, 20212 min read


Intimacy, Awe, and the Binding Thread of Love
The two blessings recited prior to the Shema illustrate a fundamental duality in how Jewish spirituality relates to God. BY RABBI ARI...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 28, 20212 min read


Torah Study (April 27, 2021): "Parashat Emor"
Parashat Emor Adobe Hebcal

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 27, 20211 min read


Shabbat Shalom
Ontario, California, USA Shabbat Times Pesach Sheni occurs on Monday, Apr 26 Lag BaOmer occurs on Friday, Apr 30 Candle lighting: 7:16pm...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 26, 20213 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 1, 2021): "Parashat Emor" 5781
Parashat Emor / פרשת אֱמוֹר Read on 1 May 2021 (19 Iyyar 5781). Parashat Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 25, 20212 min read


Psalm 121
https://youtu.be/rj1N77faZY4 Sing along in Hebrew to "Shamayim V’Ha’Aretz" performed by Neshama Carlebach. The lyrics are taken from ...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 22, 20211 min read


Shabbat Shalom
Ontario, California, USA Shabbat Times Candle lighting: 7:10pm on Friday, Apr 23 This week's Torah portion is Parashat Achrei...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 19, 20213 min read


Israel and Anti-Semitism
The idea that extreme criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic is controversial. BY BEN HARRIS https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/israel...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 19, 20216 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (April 24, 2021): "Parashat Acherei-Kedoshim 5781
Parashat Acherei-Kedoshim 5781 Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim / פרשת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת־קְדשִׁים Read on 24 April 2021 (12 Iyyar 5781). Parashat...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 18, 20212 min read


Jews and Finance
The idea that Jews are good with money is one of the oldest Jewish stereotypes. But it's undeniable that Jews are well-represented in...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 15, 20217 min read


How to Light Shabbat Candles
What you need to know about this ritual welcoming the Sabbath. BY RABBI MICHAEL STRASSFELD, RICHARD SIEGEL AND SHARON STRASSFELD YOU...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 14, 20214 min read


Anti-Semitism in America
Prejudice against Jews has always existed in the United States, but American anti-Semitism differs from its European precursor in...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 13, 20216 min read


Shabbat Shalom (April 13, 2021)
Ontario, California, USA Shabbat Times Rosh Chodesh Iyyar occurs on Monday, Apr 12 Rosh Chodesh Iyyar occurs on Tuesday, Apr 13 Yom...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 12, 20213 min read


Where the Word ‘Anti-Semitism’ Comes From
Hatred of Jews has been around for centuries, but only in the 1800s did it begin to be referred to as 'anti-Semitism.' BY RICHARD LEVY...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 11, 20214 min read


This week's 10-Minute Torah (April 17, 2021): "Parashat Tazria-Metzora" 5781
https://youtu.be/SQpekvl6WLo Parashat Tazria-Metzora/ פרשת תַזְרִיעַ־מְּצֹרָע Read on 17 April 2021 (5 Iyyar 5781). Parashat...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 11, 20212 min read


The Historical Roots of Anti-Semitism
Two millennia of European anti-Semitism can be traced to early Christian beliefs about Jewish culpability in the murder of Jesus. BY...

Rabbi Stephen Epstein
Apr 9, 20217 min read
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