Blog Archives

Holy Ashes: Design for Spiritual Flow (P. Tzav)

3/24/2024

Our ner tamid (eternal flame) symbolizes several things. It represents the light we follow (Torah, God, soul), and also the light of transformation. While Jewish life is partly about continuity from generation to generation, even more it's about change – and change isn't easy. Often change leaves behind both positive and negative evidence of transformation.

Put another way, in Jewish life one of the ways we gauge what "works" spiritually is by the detritus it leaves behind from what it transforms. If there’s no detritus, we’re doing Jewish life wrong.

On Guilt and Taxes – Proudly Ahead of Our Time (P. Vayikra)

3/19/2024

How are guilt and taxes related, and why should we care? Judaism's ancient bedrock offers answers that might seem outdated, but they were far ahead of their time.

The Book of Leviticus opens with language that we moderns might find distant, but it offers us profound lessons about the proper roles of materialism and money in spiritual life – and what the point of spiritual life is supposed to be.

For All To See, Not Just the Professional Jew (P. Pekudei)

3/12/2024

In the way that most people imagine our spiritual ancestors making their way across the desert to the Land of Promise, Moses followed God... the tribal chiefs followed Moses... and the rest followed the person in front of them. They were like obedient kindergarteners in a school hallway.

But as this week's Torah portion relates, everyone saw "the cloud by day and fire by night" at the front of the pack. It was clear to everyone's eyes, for each person to see where they were heading and Who was leading them.

And that means everything.

Rabbi's Corner – March 2024: Turning Up the Joy Dial for Purim

3/3/2024

Emotions are complex interactions of reactions and choices. We feel what we feel in response to thoughts and experiences, and we have at least some measure of choice in how we respond, what emotions we choose to elevate.

In Jewish life, this time of year calls on us to elevate joy and lean into the frivolity of Purim. Especially during times of difficulty and strife, at first these callings might sound tone deaf or even perverse. But there's deep Jewish wisdom in this call, especially when times are tough.

Hearts of Generosity (P. Vayakhel)

3/3/2024

"Stop giving to the fund drive!" – said no community professional ever. Yet the hearts of our spiritual ancestors were so moved to support their central community institution, the building of the Mishkan, that everyone gave until their gifts overloaded the effort.

Amidst so much spiritual, emotional and ethical wisdom, Torah shines a bright light on the kinds of generosity necessary to build vibrant community. There really is a Torah of generosity, and it aims at the heart.

Holy Ashes: Design for Spiritual Flow (P. Tzav)

On Guilt and Taxes – Proudly Ahead of Our Time (P. Vayikra)

For All To See, Not Just the Professional Jew (P. Pekudei)

Rabbi's Corner – March 2024: Turning Up the Joy Dial for Purim

Hearts of Generosity (P. Vayakhel)

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