Simon, brother of Joseph. Why does Joseph, Viceroy of Egypt, single him out for punishment? To answer, I’ll give some context, then read between the lines. Years ago, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. But, through twists and turns of fate, he becomes Viceroy of Egypt. And, in a time of regional famine, Joseph decides who…
Year: 2020
Hanukah's Hidden Light
Hanukah has a clear spiritual meaning. On one level, it’s simple. And, on another, it’s mystical. Winter is a dark time. Daylight is short. Night is long. With just a few hours of sun, we humans don’t get enough vitamin D. So we get a little depressed. We need a lift. Something to substitute for…
Tenth Anniversary Party
Imagine my delight when I realized that I have been blogging at Sophia Street for ten years! Now I would like to share that delight with you in a week-long online celebration. Highlights include: Sulam Jewish World Music ensemble concert, January 24. Midweek workshop. Daily blog posts in conversation with other bloggers. Special book giveaways (various…
A Dream of Dad
I dreamed about my late mother. Just a simple dream. I am walking with my mother. But I can’t keep up. So, she is half a block ahead, waiting for me. My late mother is so precious to me. But, when I was young, she was full of grief. And I still carry the scars.…
Lament: I Sang of Love
I sang of love/ of love I sang / I hoped that it would flow/ I sang of you / of you I sang/ but still you didn’t show/ But we’re together in my dreams/ I wonder if you know I sang of hope/of hope I sang/but it was just too late/ I sang of…
Wisdom of Green Hair
Words of wisdom, from my late friend Gwen. “You have green hair.” Of course, I’ll explain. Gwen was part of our life in North Carolina. Back then, we lived “in the buckle of the Bible Belt,” as my spouse Charles likes to say. Our neighborhood was built on the old Billy Graham farm. There was…
Abishag the Shunammite
Abishag the Shunnamite. Find her story in the first biblical Book of Kings, chapters 1 and 2. Who is Abishag? Abishag is a beautiful young woman. King David’s courtiers hire her to arouse the king sexually. Some interpreters say: the courtiers think a sexually potent king is politically potent. (Of course interpreters think that’s part…
Mystical Morals for Abraham
Melchizedek: the mystical stranger who shows up to bless Abraham. And then disappears. Is he even real—not historically, but in the story? Or is he just one of Abraham’s visions? And why would we care? Because the answer tells us something about the nature of mystical experience. How it relates to emotion. And also to morality.…
Noah the Activist
What is activism? And is Noah an activist? Rabbinic Views of Noah Our sages don’t ask the question that way. Instead, they ask: how good was Noah, really. Torah says, “Noah was a perfectly righteous man in his generation” (Gen. 6:9). What does this mean? Should we be impressed at Noah’s moral compass? Because, even…
Creation in Kabbalah
Genesis: A non-literal Creation story Creation: the beginning of the Torah. A great time to reflect on how we read. Also, on what we may find when we read thoughtfully! For example, the creation story is supposed to provide a religious foundation. But when we read it carefully, we may question those very foundations. We…