Lynley Shimat Lys

Sof Drashes 2026

Commandments & Literacy

Drash by Robert Littman

April 2026

Most of us have seen at some time the Cecil B DeMille movie The Ten Commandments, with Charlton Heston as Moses. DeMille tried for a realistic portrayal, tempered with the needs… Continue reading

Jewish History and Archaeology

by Robert J Littman, M.Litt., Ph.D.

A Look at the Man Moses

February 2026

The figure of Moses represents two main traditions; one is the Prince of Egypt, and the other is the charismatic Midianite desert leader who gives the… Continue reading

Sof Picture Album

Sof Celebrates Purim!

Images By Alice Flitter & Hinda Diamond

April 2026

Tzav and the Infinite

A Shabbat HaGadol Drash

Rabbi Daniel Lev

(3/28/2026 Sof Drash)

 

I almost never do this but I just have to share with you a joke I heard about Moses and President Bush. One day the President was walking down… Continue reading

Jacob, Trauma, and Kvetching

Vayigash Drash by Stan Satz

March 2026

 Gen 44:18-47:27

Jacob and Pharaoh

In our reading from Genesis, Pharaoh, when he meets Jacob, curiously asks the last of our Patriarchs to reveal his age. Many commentators have speculated that Jacob… Continue reading

Sof Drashes 2025

Avraham as Leader

Drash on Parashah Vayeira by David Haymer

December 2025

Until very recently, my wife and I participated with a very diverse Torah study group made of both Jews and non-Jews, but all people interested in reading the… Continue reading

Sof Community Events

Sof Book Group with Carolann Biederman

Group members have submitted potential books for the book group to read in 2026. Carolann will put the list together and it will be published as soon as it’s available. Please consider attending the… Continue reading

Sof Community Events

Upcoming

Israeli Dance Honolulu via Fran Margulies

Aloha Dancers, Our schedule for the rest of the year is shown below and on our website. Donations are accepted ($10 is suggested) but not required. We want you to attend! We… Continue reading

Who Was Asenath Barazani?

Used with permission from My Jewish Learning, by Renee Melamaad

Aenath Barazani (also known as Osnat or Asnat Barazani) was a highly educated Torah scholar in late 16th and early 17th century Kurdistan. After her father’s death, he passed leadership… Continue reading

High Holy Day Services

5786 (2025) High Holy Days Services at Congregation Sof Maʻarav
 

Rosh Hashanah Services

Monday, Sept. 22

7:30pm – 8:30pm

Dessert Potluck after services/bring apple slices and honey, too!

 

Day One

Tuesday, Sept. 23

9:00am – noon

Oneg afterwards,… Continue reading

Calendar

Shabbat Times

  • Chullin 17
    If a knife with a notch in the blade is used for ritual slaughter, the slaughter is invalid. To prevent ... The post Chullin 17 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.
  • Chullin 16
    There are many important religions in the world that prescribe some kind of vegetarianism: Sikhism, Jainism, some forms of Buddhism ... The post Chullin 16 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.
  • Chullin 15
    A mishnah on yesterday’s daf taught that even though one who purposefully slaughters an animal on Shabbat or Yom Kippur ... The post Chullin 15 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.