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Category: Spirituality

Jewish Practices, Kabbalah, Spirituality, Torah

Hanukah's Hidden Light

December 11, 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…

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Spirituality, Torah

Mystical Morals for Abraham

October 30, 2020
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.…

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Dreams, God, Kabbalah, Philosophy, Spirituality

Infinity: God in My Soul

September 17, 2020
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…

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Interfaith, Psychology, Spirituality

Negative Thoughts, Be Gone!

August 9, 2020
Negative Thoughts, Be Gone!

Negative thoughts, be gone! I’m reading the handbook for combatting demons by Evagrius Ponticus, a 4th c. Christian monk. He clearly states that his demons are negative thoughts. And that he talks back to them–in Bible verses. Evagrius’s handbook is very personal. It’s a long list of his own habitual negative thoughts and the verses…

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Ecospirituality, Spirituality, Wisdom

Creative Meditation

August 5, 2020
Creative Meditation

A creative meditation. Designed to connect you with the creative resources in your own psyche. It’s based on a creative reading of the Bible’s donkey stories. The typical donkey scene in the Bible stars a human character who isn’t sure where they are going or what they will do when they arrive. But, they saddle…

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Animals, Political, Spirituality, Torah

(Don)key to Redemption

July 4, 2020
(Don)key to Redemption

The Biblical donkey is here, to talk about redemption. Especially about our role in it. So, let’s hear what the donkey has to say. Balaam’s Donkey King Balak of Moab hires the seer Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam is a dedicated follower of Hashem. So, when God comes to him in a dream and…

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Jewish Practices, Spirituality

Niggun: Mantra of Calm

July 1, 2020
Niggun: Mantra of Calm

What is a niggun? Simply put: a niggun is a wordless melody. But, in spiritual work, it is more than that. A niggun is a melody of the soul. An expression from the heart of the composer. Or a soothing vibration gifted by another. Even, sometimes, a guide on an inner journey. If you’re lucky,…

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God, Jewish Renewal, Spirituality

R. Zalman: God's Soul-Friend

June 26, 2020
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…

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Interfaith, Spirituality, Wisdom

Hope & Solidarity

May 15, 2020
Hope & Solidarity

Hope and Solidarity. Antidotes — we hope — to uncertainty and anxiety. Across Canada, religious communities have come together. How could this solidarity change us for the better? Contribute to a resilient society? Provide better support for those most vulnerable? In this 30-minute panel discussion, three religious leaders explore those questions. This webinar series is…

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Interfaith, Jewish Practices, Spirituality

Love: Fast & Feast Together

May 2, 2020
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 of the Baitur Rahman mosque in Delta BC. So, the group invited me to speak. Specifically, about our common Jewish and Islamic traditions of fasting and sacrifice. But with my own interpretation: both are practices…

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Recent Posts

  • Pray for Peace? January 19, 2021
  • Simon, the Worst Brother December 18, 2020
  • Hanukah’s Hidden Light December 11, 2020
  • Tenth Anniversary Party November 21, 2020
  • A Dream of Dad November 20, 2020

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