Living with Faith We strive to live sound, logical lives. From when we’re young we plan a trajectory of how our life will play out: education, employment, dating, marriage, (suburban) Continue Reading »
Tragedy in Meron A tragedy occurred this past Friday in Meron, Israel. As a hundred thousand spiritual seekers gathered on Lag B’Omer near the tomb of the father of Jewish Continue Reading »
Polyphonic Judaism I’m continually fascinated with people’s varying levels of observance with regards to Jewish traditions and laws. When I was growing up, it seemed there were just four types Continue Reading »
Divine Signs בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַידֹוָד אֱלֹהֵיכֶם The Torah teaches us that we are “God’s children” (Deuteronomy 14). One would think a benefit of being a child is to receive loving Continue Reading »
Kashrut Messages The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, speak to the Israelite people thus: these are the creatures that you may eat from among all the land animals… (Leviticus Continue Reading »
A Modern Day Hillel The great sage, Hillel (first century BCE), adjured to us seek out peace. He used to say: “Love peace, pursue peace, love humankind, and draw them Continue Reading »
What do Dolly Parton and Moses have in Common? In January, Tennessee Representative, John Mark Windle, introduced a bill making a case for a statue recognizing Dolly Parton “for all Continue Reading »
And Mordechai Would Not Bow Mordechai is undoubtedly one of the heroes of Purim, but in truth, he was also the instigator of our problems. Why couldn’t he just concede Continue Reading »
Recognizing our Teacher’s Teacher There are 54 Parshiyot, Torah readings, in a year. Of all of them, it could be that this week’s parsha, Yitro, is the most significant one. Continue Reading »
Friendship A new guy to the synagogue is sitting next to an old-timer and he’s asking him questions as to why the rabbi is doing certain things. New member: Why Continue Reading »