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…
Category: God
From Judgment to Love
Day of Judgment Traditionally, Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment. But in real life, every day is the Day of Judgment. Every day God places a new challenge in our paths. Every day we get to decide how we are going to respond. Every day is the Day of Judgment, but some days are…
Infinity: God in My Soul
Infinity: A perfect topic for my interview on this innovative podcast. It’s called PTR: Philosophy, Theology, and Religious studies. Or, if you prefer, “Poststructuralist Tent Revival.” PTR is hosted by Jacob Given, a doctoral student at Villanova University. Here we discuss ideas from my book The Infinity Inside: infinity, kabbalah, God’s existence, dreams, and mystical…
R. Zalman: God's Soul-Friend
Yahrzeit of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, z”l. Fifth day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. So, in Reb Zalman’s honour, ALEPH Canada hosted a special Zoom event. Ten of Reb Zalman’s many Canadian students shared memories, poetry, story, or music.* Here is a short video of the words and music I was able to offer with…
Ritual and Meditation: Fun with Parshat Tzav
Ritual. Last week’s Torah (Parshat Tzav) and haftorah (Jeremiah) readings were all over it. Ritual in Parshat Tzav (Lev. 6:1-8:36) The Hebrew word tzav means, “instruct.” Here, God tells Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons, the future priests. Teach them, God says, some ritual details the public doesn’t really need to know about. Like: make…
Spiritual Retreat: Even One Day is Enough
A personal spiritual retreat. Just for a day, I went to Bethlehem Centre, in Nanaimo, Canada. Before bed, the first night, I wound down with my daily spiritual examen. Following the script, I became aware of God’s presence. But then I let go of the script. “Congratulations, self!” I thought. “It’s become so easy to tune…
Terumah: Did God Create Humans or Did Humans Create God?
“Did God create humans or did humans create God?” That, said my study group, is a question posed by Parshat Terumah. They are a lovely group, from Havurat Hakerem in Columbia, South Carolina. International, diverse, and learned. And one verse, close to the beginning of the parsha, caught their eye. God introduces Moses to the…
Ibn Gabirol: At Dawn I Seek You
Solomon ibn Gabirol (1021-1070) was a great liturgical poet. His spiritual poetry is elegant, ordered, philosophical. But his inner life was not. He was often in pain. Both physical and emotional. He could be bitter, angry, or jealous. Thus, he had few friends. So, how did he express both parts of himself? Did he find comfort…
Jeremiah's Mother God Says: I Knew You in the Womb
Jeremiah, the Biblical prophet, describes the day God called him. At first glance, the call seems ordinary. A kind of (stereo) type-scene. God says, “You’re a prophet.” But Jeremiah says, “No.” Then God physically touches Jeremiah. And Jeremiah begins to speak. But an unusual detail stands out. (That is, of course, how type-scenes work. Almost…
Praise God, Yishtabach Shimcha: Learn to See in a New Key
Praise. For God, that is. Two days ago, I thought I understood praise. But I was wrong. Yesterday, I learned something entirely new. From an old Hebrew prayer poem. But through the lens of a modern technology. I opened my daily spiritual self-reflection iPhone app. It said, “Today’s theme is praise.” “Sit in a comfortable position,”…