Faces of TJE: Aaron Polster

Faces of TJE

For Aaron Polster, the events of October 7, 2023, marked a profound shift—not just globally, but personally.

Before then, Aaron had what many might call a “satisfactory” Jewish life in Denver. He was no stranger to Jewish tradition. He’d gather 30 friends for an annual Passover seder, attend synagogue for the High Holidays, and occasionally host or join a Shabbat dinner. Community was there—but it wasn’t until tragedy struck that Aaron realized something deeper was missing.

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Upgrading the Reduction

Sparks of Torah

The Torah refers to the ‘teruah’ sound of the shofar when we blow it on Rosh Hashanah and also it is denoted as the remembrance of the teruah. Why the two different references? The sound of the teruah motivates one to repent, however, the motivation is only good if we follow through. Additionally, we must ‘remember’ the call to repent during the entire year.

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The Essence of Speech

Sparks of Torah

  The people rose in anger due to their perception that the traveling on the road was just too much. Furthermore, they were tired of only eating the Manna. Mind you, the Manna, was as tasty and delicious as any meal made in the finest restaurants in Manhattan. Yet, they complained and not only that but they bad-mouthed Hashem and Moshe.

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Growth By a Different Standard

Sparks of Torah

The mutiny of Korach divided the nation in a fashion heretofore unheard of. Moshe’s authority was challenged and his authenticity was defied and apparently Korach’s oratory ability drew in hundreds of followers. This eroded the nation’s stability and almost seemed to eject Moshe from his seat as the leader of the people.

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Bon Voyage

Sparks of Torah

The disastrous episode of the spies that were sent to investigate Eretz Yisroel certainly seems to defy explanation. After all, Rashi comments that these twelve individuals were the leaders of their respective tribes. Yet they returned with intended information that would discourage their compatriots from going there. Hashem had guaranteed them that Eretz Yisroel would be a wonderful place to live so why did they indeed dissuade them?

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The True Dignity of Torah

Sparks of Torah

The tribe of Levi was designated to serve in the Mishkan and later in the Beis Hamikdash. Upon their assignment, their entire body was shaven in order to prepare them for this honor. Perhaps one would find this odd that those selected to serve in the highest capacity in the nation should have to sustain embarrassment of this nature.

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