Please join me for six weeks of meaningful study on the themes of the High Holidays
Picture this: The rabbi sits down to begin writing her sermon. The topic is: “Israel: Is there hope even now?” She types out the question. She stares at the screen. She doesn’t know how to answer. She doesn’t even know where to begin. Ok, I know you get it. The rabbi is me. The question
Hope Even Now (Revised for Yom Kippur 5786) Read More »
A few months ago, my mother called me to report that she had been the target of hate-speach. She and her friend have a regular table at a vintage market, and along with the funky clothing, jewelry, dishes, and knick-knacks that they sell, are items of vintage judaica. Menorahs and candle-sticks, kiddush cups and seder
“The No Good, Dirty Z Word” (Rosh HaShanah 5787) Read More »
I didn’t write about the the endingbecause sometimes the ending leaves youbreathless and without words to conveyYou must just go backAnd read the storyif you want to knowAnd don’t forget to read betweenthe linesAnd don’t forget where faith carries us and where faith fails usAnd where others carry uswhen we’ve run out of steamThis is
At The End (Pikudei 5785) Read More »
And God calledGod callsDo we answer?Are we Jonah – trying to run from it?Are we Isaiah putting up our hand:Hinenni – I am here Listening ReadySometimes God calls,pointing the way and we’re excitedto go to follow to (ad)venture forthWe are eagerWe go willinglyAnd sometimes God calls and it’s more like a command:Go!And we know we
God Calls (Vayikra 5785) Read More »
I read about the Mishkan How it was designed to be transportedwith all its rings and poles So thoughtfully created to be curated through the wildernessI wonder about the cherubim atop the Arkwith their heads bowed and their wings folded inwardAn additional layer of protection over the sacred items within?Lately I have been transportedfrom one
Carry Me Home (Vayakhel 5785) Read More »
We are criticalof Moses the Leader who smashesthe TabletsBut this isn’t his Great SinWell, maybe his Temper, since smashing is something he gets in trouble for laterBut not hereHere, you’d thinksmashing the God-Given Tablets would be more seriousthan smashing a river rockAnd yetGod is a Gentle Parent this timeto Moses(not so much to the idolators)
A Sacred Prescription (Ki Tisa 5785) Read More »
How do we bring You offerings of the heartwhen our hearts are so very HeavyThe world seems to be Careening out of controlUgly and unpredictableSomeone called it a dumpster fire todayAnd certainly fires are burning as we reapthe consequences of our abuse of Your beautiful worldNot to mention one another,Your beautiful creationsWhat do we have
Scant Offerings (Teruma 5785) Read More »
God says,For Aaron and his sonsdo this:Dress them upMake them HolyGive them rulesGive them purpose and PowerAnoint the fatherAnoint the sonsBut where are the women?Where are the mothers and daughtersthe wivesthe sisters Where is Miriam?She had influence, we knowWisdom, we’ve heardShe could lead womenShe could inspire menSpeak to princesses Find water Was she too threateningsomehow?Don’t
From the Skin of Mermaids (Tetzaveh 5785) Read More »
On one side of the sea freedom was all that matteredOn the other sidewe discovered that freedom is HARDtakes COURAGErequires us to be RESPONSIBLEBut we weren’t ready We sang praises of gratitude and then immediately began to complainWhen we don’t have freedom, we are willing to fight for it. Maybe too willing, sometimesAnd when we
As If We Are Worthy (B’shalach 5785) Read More »