At the beginning of our first class meeting we were all a bit nervous…could we have a good class with only three students, two boys and a girl, all age 12? But it’s clear: Yes we can! We are already enjoying the benefits that come with a small group: flexibility and easy group bonding. Today’s…
Since Before Creation
You were before creation You have been since creation You are in this world And You will be in the next world This metaphysical teaching is found in Birchot Hashachar, “dawn blessings,” from the daily Jewish liturgy. Originally, the blessings were a series of early morning meditations designed to help us wake right into spiritual…
Noah's Ark
Recently a new small animal came under my care. He is a very friendly, curious little newt, with a bright red belly. His companion is a catfish. The two live together in a tank that glows green with tiny plants covering the surface of the water. A small cadre of snails helps the catfish maintain…
God's True Name
Sometimes people ask me, why, in Judaism, is there a reluctance to pronounce God’s true name out loud? Historical answers are available, and here is a link to a good one. But sometimes I offer a spiritual answer, too. We don’t have a definitive pronunciation of God’s name, because no one knows what the true…
Into the Dark
In the dark night of the forest, in a small clearing illuminated by a fire ring, we sat with our teenage children, and sang. We sang campfire songs, Beatles songs, favorite pop songs. We sang: If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the “nos” on their vacancy signs If there’s no…
Breathing into Consciousness
How does one explain that we live at multiple levels of consciousness? That our bodies, hearts and minds are each occupied with their own concerns, all at the same time? That we need only learn how to direct our attention to each and a richer life will be available to us? That the “four worlds…
Which God?
I am in New York City, again, where my mother lives. Someone makes a joke about retirement. “Life begins after the kids leave home and the dog dies.” But I do not laugh. The joker could not possibly know: two weeks ago my mom’s beloved dog died and yesterday my mom had had a heart…
Loss of Youth
Is Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 80 teens at a Labour Party summer camp on an island, insane? My answer is based on knowing nothing about his inner or personal life. It is completely based on my own personal life. My teenage children attend a Labour Party summer camp on an island. They have become Party…
Dare to Pray
For a few days now, I’ve watched a tiny spider flash across my windshield. No insects live in my car, so I know this spider has been hungry. This morning I tried to save him. When he paused on the window, I pulled over to the curb. I grabbed my tools: a piece of paper…
Signs
A boy hides his face, wrapping his thoughts and feelings in a thin jacket. He peeks out of the folded collar just enough to know where he is headed. The next day, a dove coos outside a church. Sadness parts, a path inside opens up. So say the signs. Philosophically, I find this idea of…