Bystander or upstander? Which word best describes the donkey who guides Abraham? You may know the Biblical story of the…
Year: 2021
Snake: Confused Creation
The snake in the Garden of Eden. It’s not a bad creature. Instead, it’s well meaning. But it’s just a…
Unetaneh Tokef: Hard Times
Unetanah Tokef is a poetic prayer with guidance for hard times. At least, that’s how I read Unetaneh Tokef this…
Not Today, Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is coming! Soon! And I am not looking forward to it. Let me clarify that. Of course I…
Teaching Religion at VST
Recently, my colleagues asked me to write a statement about my teaching. They wanted me to answer specific questions. What’s…
What is Midrash?
What is midrash? Simply, it means “interpretation.” But it’s not just any old interpretation. Specifically, midrash is Biblical interpretation in…
Parents: Love & Judgment
Parents. Mine are long gone, but I still hear their voices. A mix of encouragement and—shall we say—correction. At Rosh…
Universalism: Walk As One?
Universalism. It’s a philosophy of religious pluralism. “All religious traditions honour the same divine Spirit. We just approach God differently.”…
Covenant of Peace (Not)
No early morning peace in our neighborhood! Instead, there’s intense bird drama. A neighbor got some chickens. So—at dawn, of…