Collecting Chance Encounters
Once I learned to treat every person I meet as more than chance and as an opportunity, I was able to expand my collection of superheroes.
Making Amends
Torah is to be taught as healing, as a relationship, as nurturing. It is this Torah I love and that gives me life.
Five Compliments for Every One Criticism
Many years ago, I took my children to the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. A guide took us around and was patiently describing...
Mirrors
Reflections on "mirror images"
The Journey of Halacha
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the teacher of the Zohar who we honor on Lag B'Omer, plants seeds of infinite growth in our minds so each of us can begin our time travel with Torah with a taste of her eternally expanding wisdom embedded in our souls
Before Judging
The primary quality of anyone judging another is that the judge first know how to judge himself. If he cannot honestly examine his own behavior, how can he possibly judge someone else's?
Between Hope & Despair
The Tisha b'Av experience is a spiritual affliction, "Acedia," a "sadness, a disgust with life, which comes from our inability to get along with ourselves, our disunion with God."
Waiting On The Sideline
In this week's portion, the man, having been officially declared impure, is now ready for the end of his nightmare beginning his process of purification--on the sidelines.
Getting Heaven Into Our Head
We stand everyday as did Nadav and Avihu, searching to elevate our actions into meaning, desperate to 'make a difference," trying to get the heavens into our heads
A Taste of Heaven
I can see how much I have and celebrate my plenty by bringing a small slice of heaven to others who have even less.
The Foundation Stone: Parshat Bamidbar: Archeological Flags
Revelation both Divine and self. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
the Dark Clouds
Moses acted properly in his role of prophet but he failed in his role as a husband; he did not see Tziporah's suffering, her black cloud.
Watchers
On my watch
The True Measure of a Man
God doesn't need a slave to order and say: Build an ark! He could have made it in a second. God desires a partner. It is up to us to rise to that role. Noah's greatness was that he figured it out.
A Tale of Two Noahs
Adam's two Fermatas resonate in the two Noahs, and the notes continue to reverberate in our souls as we struggle to retain our connection to the Garden,
Protecting the Precious
Our Matzah is not Shmurah if we are unconcerned with those who have nothing to eat, or no Seder to join.
The Foundation Stone: Parshat Vayigash
Could Judah REALLY expect the Viceroy to grasp his subtle threats and insults when translated? He didn't.
Dreams, Naps & Promises
If I had Jacob's dream, I would not have been able to go back to sleep, and, I'd like to believe that I would have responded to the historic promises rather than make a conditional promise emphasizing bread and clothes. I would expect a "Thank You," from Jacob, instead of falling asleep and then playing "Let's Make A Deal,"
Without Intimidation
On Parshat Vayeishev with a nod to Chanukah.
Betwixt & Between
Chag Sameach-Happy Yom Ha'atzmaut and Shabbat Shalom
Sharing the Fruit
We glorify God, not in numbers, but in expansiveness. We too, are bringing our First Fruits when we're not busy battling each other over what is ours or who speaks the truth. Our Bikkurim begin with affording room for people to explore and grow.
Mysterious Magic
The Tabernacle was more dangerous than the Red Heifer because absolutely everything about its construction and functioning seems so mysterious
Answering The Call
We explore life through the lens of Torah through the entire year. Now that Pesach approaches, we pause and listen as this week we hear God's loving call as if For The First Time.
Becoming
I finished reading that the Israeli chief rabbinate invalidating numerous conversions, opened the weekly portion, and enjoyed a hearty chuckle when I remembered that the portion of Revelation and the Ten Statements is named for a convert, a failed one, Yitro. Things sure have changed.
“Yet More From My Students!”
I look toward Shavuot as an opportunity to not only absorb the Torah's wisdom, but as a chance to apply its wisdom so well that God the Teacher will look at us say, "Yet more have I received from My students"
Are You Listening?
God hears, and responds. God hears our prayers, and in so doing, gives voice to a powerful message of love. Can you hear it?
Jacob’s Gift
Each prayer, Shabbat, Torah study and Mitzvah offer us, in our imperfections, to connect with the Eternal. Jacob insists that we first reject the shame we've carried since Adam and Eve, and understand that there is a place in Paradise even for the imperfect.
Dance of Forgiveness
Miriam and the women who followed her recognized that Israel would be unable to move forward until they forgave God for their suffering and their fear. So they sang of God desiring to share His power with them so that they too would be able to "hurl horse with rider into the sea," as Israel does to Amalek in the closing scene of the portion.
The Beginning At The End
It is impossible to be involved in life without somehow sensing endings. We need not be permanently scarred by our beginnings, nor scared of what seems to be the death of a relationship.
Trust-but Verify
Esau handled the meeting with Jacob far more grace than most people manage an argument with a spouse. Not bad behavior for a person we are taught is one of the most evil biblical characters!