From The Rabbis

Sep

7

Sep

2

Jul

13

We send greetings from Jerusalem—and ask you to join us in responding to challenges we've witnessed first-hand in the last 24 hours that could seriously undermine the Reform and other non-Orthodox Jewish movements here and worldwide.

 

Jun

1

In order to help put a context around the events at sea yesterday that have cast Israel in a terrible light, we offer you this unedited communication from ARZA, the Association of Reform Zionists of America. We hope and pray for calmer heads to prevail and for the peace of Jerusalem and the entire region.

 

May

21

One of the most beautiful blessings of all time is found in this week's Torah portion, Naso. Called the "priestly benediction” or birkat kohanim, it was given to Moses in order that he convey to his brother Aaron and his sons this powerful message.

 

May

12

Parasha B'midbar is about entering the wilderness. Wilderness is not just a desolate location; "wilderness” implies entering a space beyond our comfort zone. The wilderness can be not only out there, but within us, as well.

 

May

4

Years ago for my senior sermon in rabbinical school, I was assigned this week's parasha, Behar. Senior sermon was a milestone in rabbinical school. You prepared for many months with a assigned professor. My advisor was Rabbi Jerome Malino, zichrono livracha. Each student delivered the sermon during the weekday service, and then afterwards we filed downstairs for the sermon critique.

 

Apr

29

At first read, parashat Emor reads like a manual for an elite club that describes who is invited in and all the rules for the privileged few who make the grade. The select few are the Kohanim, those who were the conduits to G-d through offerings and rituals. This priestly class were restricted as to whom they could marry, their clothing, shaving, and even the small group of close relatives who they might bury.

 

Apr

22

How do we clean the slate and move on?

 

Apr

14

This is a powerful portion but not a particularly lightweight teaching. If you wish to dig more deeply into cleaning up spiritual clutter, then please read on!

 

Apr

5

As we complete celebrating a week of Pesach, we think about leaving enslavement behind. Only when we have the depth of experience brought about by eating the special Pesach foods, only when we experience personally our escape from the brutality of Pharaoh, only then can redemption happen. Redemption happens when we remember where we came from and where we are going.

 

Apr

1

From the second night of Passover until Shavuot, Jewish tradition guides us to count the Omer. This ancient practice, counting each day for seven weeks, hearkens back to preparing for the Pilgrimage Festival of Shavuot on the 50th day of the counting and spiritually preparing for the revelation of Torah that traditionally is said to have occurred on Shavuot.