Journeys. Narrative, interpretive, and spiritual. That’s the theme of this week’s Torah reading. In Biblical Hebrew, the word for journeys…
Category: Torah
Justice: Where the Torah's moral arc bends
The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. So said Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.…
Balaam: Don't Defame Your Enemies
Don’t defame your enemies. That’s today’s lesson from the Biblical prophet Balaam. In 1200 BCE, mass media works like this:…
Death: Spiritual Journey, Communal Reality
Death. A key theme of Parshat Chukat, this week’s Torah reading (Numbers 19:1-22:1). Moses shares rituals for letting go of…
Zechariah's Real Apocalyptic Views
Zechariah. Well-known in Jewish circles as a prophet of hope. “On that day, God will be One and God’s name…
Creation: Earth Day Interdependence
To appreciate creation, we should appreciate creatures. (NOTE: Podcast version of the words below is available at the bottom of…
Havdalah: Your Priestly Responsibility
“Havdalah” means “division.” But the havdalah ritual does not divide Jews — from other traditions or from each other. Before Havdalah…
Isaiah: A Peaceable Kingdom is Within Reach
The prophet Isaiah speaks of a peaceable kingdom. But can life be peaceful? A Mother Grieves The day of my birth…
Reconciliation: Elijah's Message for Canada
Reconciliation takes many forms. Today, I’m thinking about David. He came to our synagogue occasionally, on Shabbat. He was quiet and a…