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Torah

Simon, the Worst Brother

December 18, 2020
Simon, the Worst Brother

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…

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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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Family, Torah, Wisdom

A Dream of Dad

November 20, 2020
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.…

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Feminism, Torah

Abishag the Shunammite

November 14, 2020
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…

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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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Political, Torah

Noah the Activist

October 22, 2020
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…

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God, Kabbalah, Torah

Creation in Kabbalah

October 17, 2020
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…

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Jewish Practices, Philosophy, Torah, Wisdom

Kohelet: Life, Politics, Spirit

October 4, 2020
Kohelet: Life, Politics, Spirit

What is Kohelet (Ecclesiastes)? It’s a work of existential philosophy, about the meaning of life. A political critique, looking realistically at life under monarchy, and how one can safely resist abuses. And a work of spiritual wisdom, teaching about equanimity under stress. Traditionally, Jews read this Biblical book each fall, during the holiday of Sukkot.…

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Political, Torah

End Times: How to Hope

October 2, 2020
End Times: How to Hope

Yes, we are living in the end times, says the prophet Zechariah. We are always living in the end times. So he tells us in his prophetic book, whose last chapter (14) we read in synagogue on Sukkot, the Feast of Booths. But Zechariah sees the end times as a good thing. Why? God, he…

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Feminism, Political, Torah

Trafficking Biblical Women

August 29, 2020
Trafficking Biblical Women

Sex trafficking. It’s in the news. A Q-Anon theory that sex trafficking is rampant. And only Trump can stop it. After all, “he” arrested Epstein and Maxwell. Anyone can argue that this is factually false. (See below.) But I’m not going to talk facts. Well, maybe briefly. But then I’m going to look at human…

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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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