1st Night Chanukah: Who’s Made A Difference?
Chanukah begins in the darkest month of the year. We light the menorah (hanukkiah) for eight nights but we begin with just one. Each night, we increase the light by adding one new candle. Chanukah means “rededication.” Tonight, we dedicate our lighting to those in our lives who have made a difference or are making …
How To Respond When Everything Falls Apart
When everything falls apart, you learn what you are made of by how you respond. How do you hold what has happened and how do you walk toward healing?
Find Your Place
I remember one clear moment when I knew I had found “my place.” In my 4th year of rabbinic school I participated in a 5-day Jewish spirituality retreat.* We studied the Zohar’s interpretation of the Torah portion “Lech Lecha.” The Zohar, Judaism’s mystical interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, has a fascinating read on this text …
Do The Cosmic Turn: Teshuvah
High Holy Day Soul Work, Part 4 The cosmic principle of the entire High Holy Day season is teshuvah – to turn. Unfortunately, it is often translated as “repentance” which sounds severe and judgmental. However, teshuvah actually means “to turn, return, restore.” My teacher, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner writes of teshuvah: “All God ever says is …
Prepare Your Soul: Brokenness & Wholeness; Part 2
High Holy Day Soul-Work, Part 2 The overarching theme of the High Holy Days is acknowledging brokenness and seeking wholeness. In last week’s blog post, I wrote about how essential it is for each of us to “do our own soul work” during the month of Elul, the month that precedes Rosh Hashanah. Several core …
Elul Reflection: From Pain to Miracle; Part 3
High Holy Day Soul-Work We have the entire month of Elul (which precedes the Jewish High Holy Days) to do the essential soul reflection necessary to make this time meaningful. When we take this month seriously, a transformation of our very selves is possible. The fundamental journey at this time of year is one from …
A Prayer For One Who Enters A Synagogue
A prayer for one who enter a synagogue. After the gun violence and killings at synagogue prayer service. Poway Charlottesville Pittsburgh
