“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15: 1). “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes… Continue reading
THROUGHOUT THE TORAH, we are taught the importance of honesty and justice. In Deuteronomy 16:18-2:19, the portion Shoftim (Judges) begins with a declaration of how… Continue reading
DURING THE RECENT Jewish holy day of Shavuot, we reflected on the story of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. It is said… Continue reading
THOUGH PASSOVER IS over, the lessons and themes continue to resonate. Two themes permeate Judaism … freedom and empathy seen in the story of the… Continue reading
“Be strong and let your heart have courage,” (Joshua 1:6). THE UPCOMING JEWISH holiday of Purim tells the story of Esther standing up for the… Continue reading
“JUSTICE, JUSTICE SHALL you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). The Jewish Bible, the Tanach, repeatedly tells us to pursue justice, take care of the poor, the hungry,… Continue reading
FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION are at the very heart of the Torah portions from Exodus that Jews will read in the next few weeks. It’s a… Continue reading
JEWS BEGIN THE holy day of Yom Kippur with the haunting chant of Kol Nidre, All Vows. This prayer declares that promises made in the… Continue reading
THIS WEEK, JEWS turn their attention to the Torah portion of Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22-24). This portion is comprised of several dramatic events from which we… Continue reading
“Repentance, a turning, a returning, to the path that leads you to your highest good,” (Amen, Rabbi Karen Kedar). DURING ELUL, THE Jewish month before… Continue reading
WHEN THE U.S. Constitution was ratified, Jews looked to this new country as a place where they would be safe from persecution, not only because… Continue reading
AS WE CONTINUE reading about the Israelites’ journey in the Torah, we come to a time when God tells Moses that he will not lead… Continue reading
“The whole world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to fear, not to fear at all” (Rabbi Nachman of Breslev).… Continue reading
“Praise God O Jerusalem, laud your God O Zion,” (Psalm 147:2–12). THE CONNECTION AND deep love Jews have for Israel is sometimes a very difficult… Continue reading
DURING THE RECENT Jewish holiday of Passover, we celebrated spring’s new birth, and a journey from slavery to freedom, the actual beginning of the people… Continue reading
Mark Twain. IT HAS BEEN distressing to… Continue reading
When the Holy One gave the Torah, no bird chirped, no fowl fluttered, no ox lowed, the angels … did not sing, the sea did… Continue reading
