Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong
Today is the beginning of the Hebrew month called Elul, which marks just one month to Rosh Hashanah. Usually, I …
Category Archives: Judaism
Judaism in Italy
Over the past two weeks I have visited synagogues in three Italian cities: Florence, Sienna, and Rome. I attended services …
What Does God Want?
“If…then” propositions tend to worry me. Something has to happen for something else to happen. It presupposes an outcome which …
We Rise — Above, Beyond
Today is Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish year. Even sadder than Yom HaShoah, which commemorates the murders …
Israel’s Implosion
Tonight begins the saddest day of the Jewish year, the day we commemorate the two times that the Temple in …
Moses’ Words
In the turning of the Jewish year, each summer we come to the beginning of the Book of Words, D’varim, …
Freedom
Freedom is a tricky concept. No one is entirely free. We adhere to strict sets of rules — traffic laws, …
Curses and Blessings
Poor Balaam. He couldn’t get a break. A prophet-for-hire, he was hired by King Balak to curse the Children of …
The Search for Survivors
This week’s Torah portion is about a complicated relationship between leaders and would-be leaders. It’s called Korach, after the leader …
Do Not be Afraid
Fear. It keeps us safe, keeps us from doing things that can cause pain or even death. But there’s a …
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