Mindful Monday Message: A Parent’s Joy
If you ask my kids what matters most to me as a parent, they’ll both say: that they get along. I’ve always told them this because the two of them will likely be in each...
Highland Park Shooting (July 4th)
Having posted just a little bit ago, I have now heard the tragic news of the Highland Park shooting. I’ll now add one personal thought as we continue to pray for the victims of the...
July 4th Reflections
Today, on July 4th, I’m reflecting on the U.S. Its remarkable accomplishments and its struggles, its contributions to society and the world and where we still needs to go. Amid the celebrations of July 4th...
Juneteenth Reflections
In our Torah portion this week, shlah, we are taught once again that there should be one law for all in the Israelite community. Whether a person is an Israelite, a resident alien, or a...
Reflections on Pirkei Avot
(Note: for the past 18 months, a group of dedicated learners have joined me for weekly classes on Pirkei Avot. We completed our study of the text last week, and these are my reflections.) The...
On Gratitude
In yesterday’s Torah reading, parashat Eikev, we read the following three words: “v’ahalta, v’savata, u’veirahta (and you shall eat, you shall be satiated, and you shall bless)”. From this, the rabbis derived the mitzvah of...
Justice vs. Accountability: Reflections on the Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict
Let’s not confuse justice with accountability. In Judaism, we learn that justice is about society, the community, the collective (e.g., Exodus 22:20-21, Deuteronomy 15:7-8). There can be justice for an individual but only in the context...
Foretelling the Future: A 2021 New Years Blessing
On Saturday, January 2nd, as we celebrate our first Shabbat of 2021, we read parashat vayehi. In these final chapters of Genesis, the first of the five books of the Torah, Jacob bestows a blessing...
A Hanukkah Blessing: Increasing Our Joy
In the talmud, Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai debate the procedure for lighting the Hanukkah candles. Beit Shammai argues that we should light eight candles the first night, decreasing to one candle on the final...
Responding to President Trump’s Positive Test for COVID
Many will be celebrating the news that President Trump tested positive for COVID. But that is neither the Jewish way nor the American ideal. “Rejoice not when your enemy falters, and let not your...