There are intimate moments that we share with our friends, moments with our families, and there are moments that can be just between us and God[1]. I recognize that I am saying this as a rabbi, and as many people have pointed out, my private life is not exclusively my own. I know that there … More »
While I stand by the content of this article, I recognize that people may have drawn some incorrect correlations between what I wrote, and the events that unfolded on June 30th (the day the article was published). When we experience a tragedy like the murder of three of teenagers, we feel the import http://shma.com/files/author/of the … More »
I was not much a student in high school.[1] I did not like studying for tests or doing homework, nor did I particularly having to take classes which did not interest me. What I did relish, however, was the opportunity to be one of the “theater geeks,[2] to be on stage and performing in the … More »
I don’t like to go to the gym. I exercise about five times a week, but I cannot remember the last time I got to the gym or the pool, and felt excited to spend the next 45 minutes to an hour there. The only thing that compels me to go to the gym[1] is … More »
When people find out I’m a rabbi, they often respond with something to the effect of, “Oh, wow, that’s so cool,” or, “Really? You’re a rabbi? You don’t look like a rabbi; you don’t have the grey beard or anything!”[1] I’d like to take this opportunity to clear a few things up about what it … More »
As I mentioned in a previous post, I grew up in an Orthodox community. For those of you who might not be aware, that means that I was taught that every word of the Torah was written by God and is eternal and Just. That also meant that anyone who went against the Torah was … More »
There are people with a heart of stone. There are stones with a human heart. Hakotel, The Wall, Israeli Folk Song. Of all of the services throughout the year, my favorite has always been Friday night. Growing up, Friday night services were smaller, and more intimate that Shabbat morning, and they always seemed a … More »
There is a Chasidic story told about the great Baal Shem Tov.[1] When misfortune was threatening the Jews, it was his custom to go into a certain part of the forest to call for help for the Jewish people. He would light a fire, and say a special prayer. Time after time his attempts were … More »