choose joy Emotions are complex interactions of reactions and choices.  We feel what we feel in response to thoughts and experiences, and we have at least some measure of choice in how we respond, what emotions we choose to elevate.In Jewish life, this time of year calls on us to elevate joy and lean into… Continue reading Rabbi’s Corner – March 2024 – Turning Up the Joy Dial for Purim

"Stop giving to the fund drive!" – said no community professional ever.  Yet the hearts of our spiritual ancestors were so moved to support their central community institution, the building of the Mishkan, that everyone gave until their gifts overloaded the effort.Amidst so much spiritual, emotional and ethical wisdom, Torah shines a bright light on… Continue reading Hearts of Generosity (P. Vayakhel)

Fresh off liberating miracles and the glory of experiencing the Ten Commandments, our spiritual ancestors freaked out when Moses delayed returning from atop Mount Sinai.  To assuage their fears, they had built a Golden Calf and called it the god of their liberation – thereby committing Judaism's original sin.  But before we throw stones at… Continue reading All That Glitters Isn’t God – Ki Tisa

When Judaism's most ancient ways no longer seem relevant, usually it's because modern life so fundamentally shifted that their language and symbolism simply don't resonate.  If they don't make sense to our modern sensibilities, naturally we discount or dismiss their relevance.The rituals of installing the Kohein Gadol (High Priest of Israel) are a prime example. … Continue reading An Anatomy of Spiritual Service – P. Tetzaveh

The journey from meaninglessness to identity to vision to purpose is a journey that hopefully all of us will choose to take throughout our lives.  It's the quintessential journey of personal human development.  It's also the quintessential journey of collective societal becoming. For our ancient spiritual ancestors freed from Egyptian bondage, seven weeks of desert wandering… Continue reading Coming Out to God – P. Yitro

February 2024 has no Jewish holidays.  And on both the secular calendar and Jewish calendar, February 2024 brings "leap time" – a leap day on February 29, and a whole leap month (Adar I) in Jewish time.It's as if this no-holidays month operates to re-set time, to recalibrate so that not only calendars re-align but also… Continue reading Rabbi’s Corner February 2024: resetting Time

Rescued from centuries of Egyptian bondage, our spiritual ancestors reached the Sea of Reeds.  Pharaoh changed his mind and came charging with his army.  It took a wall of fire to block them, and a miracle to split the sea so our ancestors could leave Egypt behind once and for all.We were free at last. … Continue reading Freedom! Now, What Have You Done For Me Lately? – P. Beshallah

o liberation comes easy.  In whatever form bondage may come, and whether we mean  individual or collective shackles, freedom's path always entails effort, drama, uncertainty and suffering along the way. This poignant week coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King Day 2024, and the Torah portion of Israelite freedom from Egyptian bondage, proves the point utterly –… Continue reading Our Single Garment of Destiny

Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech invoked the prophetic call for people of all colors and creeds, "Jews and gentiles," to walk together "free at last."  Now 60 years later, the dream is yet only partly fulfilled – and not only for African-Americans.This troubled era – and this week's pivotal Torah portion… Continue reading A Dream, partly Fulfilled – P. Vaera

The Israelite freedom from Egyptian slavery is the liberation story of Western civilization.  African-American slaves and later citizens living under Jim Crow mapped their journey to the Israelites journey.  Liberation theology is the paradigm theology of everyone who would be free – who seek freedom whether from literal bondage or in emotional and spiritual life.Yet often we… Continue reading The Cry Heard ‘Round the World – P. Shemot

We humans seem designed to seek meaning and make meaning of our lives.  It's not much of an exaggeration to say that we humans are meaning-making machines.  By our values and philosophies, our choices and actions, we wrest meaning from meaninglessness.  We make our lives count.And sometimes, it seems easier with 20/20 hindsight. "The meaning… Continue reading The Meaning of Life (Vayigash)

Especially in recent times, society has seemed to perfect the art of breaking things.  Much that we've come to know and rely on has been beaten up and even busted.  While it's nature's way that most everything eventually falls apart, spiritually speaking it's also nature's way for us to lean in, repair and build.  We've… Continue reading Power Tools for Building (Mikeitz)

Spirituality offers lots of claims, fewer promises, and one guarantee.  Whatever one's beliefs (or none at all), spirituality promises seekers a life of enhanced meaning, fueled by values lived in community, in dialogue with ancient tradition stretching forward into the future.  The only guarantee is that it won't always be easy.Just ask Jacob and Joseph… Continue reading Mind Your Matters (Vayeishev)

Most every spiritual system has a festival time of year dedicated to shining light in the darkness.  As the Northern day reaches its lowest ebb, Jews around the world prepare to celebrate Hanukkah – the Festival of Lights.  Hanukkah's nightly ritual of kindling candles has become one of Judaism's most cherished rituals.Especially this year, it's about much… Continue reading December 2023 Rabbi’s Corner: Darkness and Light

Every so often, we do well to return to our first principles of who we are – both individually and as a people.  We do well to revisit our core origin story – the story we tell ourselves about who we are called to be.  Whether amidst challenge or triumph, we do well to see with clear… Continue reading Becoming “Israel,” Again and Again

The fortuity that Thanksgiving often aligns with the Torah dream story of Jacob's Ladder isn't just a calendrical quirk.  The Pilgrims of America's colonial experience understood themselves to be following, quite literally, in Jacob's footsteps as travelers on a God-blessed journey toward new spirituality and new opportunity in a new world.From their common narrative, there's… Continue reading Thanksgiving and the First Stone of Blessing (Vayetzei)

If you or someone you love ever suffered, you probably asked why. “Why?” and particularly "why me?" echo in history and the psyche, whether spoken aloud or asked silently within.  The human heart wants to know why, even when the mind knows that there’s no knowing why.These deeply human questions reveal much about us, and… Continue reading When “Because” Doesn’t Answer “Why” (P. Toldot)

Spiritual life means different things to different people.  From Torah's early chapters forward, the core of Jewish spirituality has centrally featured personal engagement with the One we call God.  Long before fixed liturgies and other books, there was individual dialogue spoken from the heart.This week's Torah portion harkens back to those ancient times when one-on-One… Continue reading Are You Talking to Me? (P. Hayyei Sarah)

November pivots into the heart of autumn and all of its many symbols and feelings of transitions.  It's a time of "catching up to ourselves" at Shir Ami, navigating so much that's unfolding in the world around us, and seeking ways to truly count our blessings in gratitude for what is and what yet may… Continue reading Rabbi’s Corner: November 2023