Podcasts religion From the Bimah: Jewish Lessons for Life Shabbat Sermon: Do We Believe in a God Who Punishes Us for Our Sins? A Question for the Elul of Covid-19 with Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz

Shabbat Sermon: Do We Believe in a God Who Punishes Us for Our Sins? A Question for the Elul of Covid-19 with Rabbi Wes Gardenswartz

Published: Aug. 22, 2020, 7 p.m.

I am about to violate three cardinal rules of giving sermons. One: Don\u2019t talk about sin. That\u2019s too old-school.  Two: Don\u2019t talk about punishment.  That\u2019s too draconian. Three: Don\u2019t talk about God.  That goes whoosh, over peoples\u2019 heads. Too many folks are not God people.

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So in view of those three cardinal rules, here is my question:  Do you believe in a God who punishes you for your sins?

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Why bring up this heavy topic now, on a late August summer weekend?  Two reasons.

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Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/do-we-believe-in-a-god-who-punishes-us-for-our-sins-a-question-for-the-elul-of-covid-19/