Social scientists say: People who belong to spiritual communities are happier. Why? More opportunities for connecting. Giving. And learning, through…
Category: Jewish Practices
Synagogue Life in COVID-19: Care, Conflict, and Teshuvah
A family friend of ours died this summer, from COVID-19 complications. I was the officiating rabbi at his burial. No…
Shema: Something old, something new
Shema. Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It’s featured in this week’s Torah reading, and in the daily liturgy. It was inside a gift…
To see with sad clarity
Towards the end of the Book of Job, Job finally learns to see. He says to God: “Until now, I…
Niggun: Mantra of Calm
What is a niggun? Simply put: a niggun is a wordless melody. But, in spiritual work, it is more than…
Love: Fast & Feast Together
Love. A good topic for “Virtual Ramadan,” an inter-faith celebration, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. I’m a long-time friend…
Sing a New Song
Spoiler alert: you can scroll right down to the video, without reading. Lockdown has its own odd rhythm. So, I’m…
Moses Lives in You
MOSES. It’s easy to forget him at Passover. The Haggadah, official script for the Seder, doesn’t name him. Instead, it…
Vashti: Rome Personified
Vashti. In the Book of Esther, she’s a dignified character. But in rabbinic midrash (commentary), she’s an evil villain. Why?…