In the opening portion of the Book of Exodus, Parashat Shemot, we read that as Moses looks away from the burning bush which is unconsumed by the flames, God calls out to him, “Moses, Moses!” And Moses answers “Hineini.” Here I am. God bids Moses to go to Pharaoh to set the people of Israel Continue Reading »
I’m pleased to be able to speak on #ReproShabbat once again this year and during this week, along with clergy around the country, for the Shabbat when we read from parashat Mishpatim. I first want to acknowledge that much of my Jewish source material here is provided by my colleague, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg at the National Continue Reading »
Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 12:6) holds that after Adam had committed his first sin and experienced his first nightfall, he was filled with dread. He was afraid that the world was blacking out, running down and that he had caused it. He feared that under the cover of darkness, his enemy, the snake, would do him Continue Reading »
My mother taught me a valuable lesson when she said, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Though I am essentially a positive person, I needed that reminder then — and I still need it now. There is a human propensity to focus on the negative that undoubtedly stems from Continue Reading »
When I was 19, I had a lech l’cha moment. I heard an inner voice telling me lech l’cha, go forth, go to the land of your ancestors, to the land of your people. Go to your roots. Go find a part of yourself you do not yet know. I was in the middle of Continue Reading »
What are we to do if we find ourselves in a time or place of declining standards — moral, social, cultural, academic – name the field? Is it appropriate to adjust our expectations of ourselves and others in response to such changes? When others expect less of themselves, is it right for us to follow Continue Reading »
“I am not a man of words…” “lo ish d’varim anochi…” (Exodus 4:10) That was how Moses first responded to God’s call to lead our people. Yet somehow that man who declared himself unqualified, as slow of speech and inept with words, overcame his fears, led the children of Israel to freedom, gave them the Torah, Continue Reading »
This week, we read Parashat Beha’alotecha from the Book of Numbers. The highlights include Aaron being commanded to raise light in the lamps of the menorah and the institution of a Second Passover in response to a group of Jews who were unable to bring an offering on time before Passover because they were Continue Reading »
When children begin to study Talmud in a traditional yeshivah, it is customary for them to start with Tractate Bava Metzia, which opens with this teaching: “Two people have taken hold of a garment… this one says, ‘It is all mine,’ and this one says, ‘It is all mine.’…” The halacha (the law) is that Continue Reading »
This Shabbat TBE officially says goodbye to Hannah Lafargue, who will be leaving us to pursue her dream of attending law school. In Hebrew when we part company from a friend we say “shalom u’l’hitraot.” “Peace to you, until we meet again.” This is a way of acknowledging that significant relationships don’t end upon separating Continue Reading »
