Once there was a rebbe who had a special power. He could answer any question posed to him. People from far and wide would gather to ask and the rebbe never left his questioners disappointed. A man arrived in shtetl, in town, and heard of the rebbe’s supposed gift; he was skeptical, to say the … More »
Money and monetary wealth are not something the Jewish tradition shies away from. In the recent Torah portion of Teruma we saw how gold is put to a positive use with the construction of the mishkan, the tabernacle, providing a portable spiritual base as the Israelites traveled through the desert. In the coming parasha of … More »
“B’shem HaShem, elokey Yisrael, Mi’ymini Michael u’mi’smoli Gavriel, U’milfanay Uriel u’me’achoray Refael. V’al roshi Shchinat El. In the name of God, the God of Israel: To my right is Michael and to my left is Gabriel. Before me Uriel and behind me Refael. And above me: the all encompassing presence of God.” This classic … More »
Drooping wax. Dark colors. We see our reflection in the glass window overlooking the New York City avenue. Trees waving and a black sky welcome a lit match. We hold the fire close and recite the ancient words: “To ignite the flame of Channukah.” “Who makes miracles then and now.” And we sing. It … More »
What makes denominations unique? What are their boundaries? How open are their doors? These questions are important and their answers may be divisive and alienating to some. Personally, I believe in the pluralism of Judaism but also, the oneness of the Jewish people. As a rabbi in training, I am simply more interested in what … More »
While the human microphone roared its messages in the Occupy movement, Yiddish poetry and song once served the same goal. From the late 1900s into the 1920s,Yiddish song was the voice of the Jewish workplace, decrying injustice, calling the masses to action, singing amid marches, crying out for freedom and change. Today as the Sh’ma community looks into the … More »
12am comes and goes. 1am arrives and we’re still outside. “When do slichot begin?” someone asked. “Whenever you let them,” another answered. Slichot are a collection of penitential prayers and poems recited in the period leading up to the Yamim Noraim, the days of Awe: Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Tonight we’ve gathered to hear Reb … More »
Imagine Yom Kippur night. The synagogue is packed to capacity. The aisles overflow, people dressed in white. Suddenly, the rabbi speaks. “Kahal, heyliker, kahal!” calls the rabbi. My holy community! “Haynt veln mir di sforim nisht nemen.” We won’t take our holy books today. “Un der aron farmakht vet haynt shteyn.” And that holy ark … More »
God’s first question, as recorded in the Torah, is “Where are you?” (Genesis: 3:9). The Jewish people have strived to answer this question throughout the generations. From Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Hassidic assertion, “You are wherever your thoughts are. Make sure your thoughts are where you want to be,” (Lekutei Mohoran 1:21) to the rallying … More »