Rabbi-Cantor Sharon Steinberg's Sermons
Vayishlach – 12/05/2025
In Parshat Vayishlach, Jacob stands on the threshold of confronting his brother Esau. Before the encounter, he wrestles — literally — with a mysterious figure, often understood as an angel, or perhaps as his own conscience. This struggle is more than physical; it is a night-long internal conversation, a reckoning with fears, past choices, and […]
Toldot – 11/21/2025
This week’s portion, Toldot, describes a moment many of us will recognize. In Isaac’s old age, his eyes had grown dim. How many of us, when reading, see blur instead of letters—or when driving at night, struggle to make out the road ahead? Things that used to be effortless now require extra care. But the […]
Chayei Sarah – 11/14/2025
An engineer was hired to repair factory machinery. His proposal: $10,000. The company balked at the cost and hired a cheaper alternative. Months later, after repeated failures, they called the original engineer. He spent mere minutes inspecting the machine, struck it once with a hammer, and the machine worked. When the manager hesitated to pay […]
Vayeira – 11/07/2025
Vayeira: The Measure of a Community This week’s Torah portion, Vayeira, opens with a simple, unforgettable image: Abraham, recovering from his circumcision, sits at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day when three strangers appear. Without hesitation, he runs to greet them, bows low, and offers food, shade, and rest. It’s […]
Noah – 10/24/2025
When Righteousness Isn’t Enough There’s a paradox in this week’s Torah portion. Noah is called “a righteous man, blameless in his generation.” He obeys every command — but the Torah never records his voice. When God warns that the world will be destroyed, Noah doesn’t protest or plead. He just builds. Our tradition praises his […]
SImchat Torah – 10/17/2025 – Video
The Torah isn’t just a sacred text — it’s a living, breathing work of art. Every mark, every space, even the parchment itself tells a story of divine inspiration and human devotion. A Torah scroll is written entirely by hand — no printing, no shortcuts — on parchment made from a kosher animal, using natural ink and a feather quill. Each […]
