When I meet a new parent in our synagogue community, I often ask this question and do not expect an answer, “I know what you want for your child; a well rounded Jewish education, with knowledge of the customs and laws of Shabbat, and history of the holidays. But have you thought of what you would want from your Torah learning?” A Jews is obligated to participate in daily Torah study. The Rabbis place texts within our daily prayers to ensure this practice takes place. The fear was that neglect of Torah study would be the neglect of Judaism, and…
Honorable Mensch-ion
Stones
The common custom when visiting a cemetery is to place a stone upon the grave. Several explanations exist… Moses carves the tablets from stone, a stone is a metaphor for the eternal God, and Jacob’s ladder arises from a stone. The Zohar teaches us tzur hei haolamim, the soul arises from the stone of the mountain. It is a two-fold ritual. The grave symbolizing the soul that left, and the stone we leave symbolizing our own soul, bound together by our deeds. This Shabbat, we read the Haftarah in the melody of Eicha, Lamentations. We literally cry due to the…
Where Is America?
On Monday evening, as we traveled from the Philadelphia airport to my parents’ home in Elkins Park, PA, the boathouses on the Schuylkill River were illuminated in red, white, and blue. My son turned around and shouted, “Abba, they celebrate America in Philadelphia too!!” After explaining that we live in America, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, from sea to shining sea, his comment reminded me that it is my responsibility to teach him about the different journeys of our family history; from Poland to Philadelphia, from Syracuse, NY, to Los Angeles, CA. It brought back memories of my childhood, growing…
Doubles
This week was marked by doubles. I attended a shiva in between brit milah ceremonies. Each ceremony was filled with tears. The mohel explained we wait until the 8th day for a bris in order for the baby to experience a perfect Shabbat. As the parents explained the name of the child, tears flowed down their cheeks, invoking the additional soul that was brought back into this world. And at the house of mourning, tears of grief and laughter were shared-remembering the physical presence that was lost, but cognizant of the soul that was truly present. I witnessed this family,…
Who Has Blessed You?
In searching my inbox for a certain file, I came across an article I wrote 10 years ago as a rabbinic intern. Not only did it correspond with Parshat Balak, but it also honored the first yahrtzeit of my grandmother, Anne Sherman, z’l. Bracha, blessing, is an overused word in Judaism, so much so that blessings are taken lightly. Yet, the challenge in our faith is to recognize where our blessings come from- Who is our source of blessing? Who or what makes us into the blessed people we hope to be? As a four-year old child, I would stand…
From Zion to Zion
As you enter Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah, the recorded narration plays in the shuttle bus. One voice from the Paiute Native American tribe declares, “We believe that everything in this world has a purpose. Human beings, animals, trees, and even rocks.” As you gaze upwards and outwards you truly see God’s creative masterpieces: the Narrows Canyons, hanging gardens of greenery in the desert, and beautiful red rock from iron mineral carved into magnificent structures. Rabbi Guzik and I, along with our three young children, hiked up and down and all around, often outside of our normal comfort zone,…
Bonds and Bridges
Arthur Brooks, in his book “Love Your Enemies,” speaks of the difference between bonding and bridging. Bonding is surrounding ourselves with only like minded people who have opinions no different than the ones we hold. Bridging is sharing your story in a manner in which the other side needs each other to survive. While bonding may be the safe bet, bridging creates progress. This is an age old lesson found in our parsha of Korach, who may appear to have a valid complaint against leadership, but goes the way of bonding over bridging. On this weekend of July 4th, as…
Going Camping
I did not grow up going to overnight camp. It just was not for me. I spent my days in day camps, swimming, and taking family trips. Yet, the last ten years, Rabbi Guzik and I have spent one week of each summer as Rabbis in Residence at Camp Ramah in Ojai. We watch as kids and staff have immersive experiences with old and new friends and with teachers and Rabbis, both inside of buildings and outside in nature. In a class with incoming 8th graders, I posed the question, “Why do we perform rituals?” Some answered, “Because we are…
We Are Torah
The Kotzker Rebbe was famous for saying, “Don’t just learn Torah….Be a Torah.” Each June, I have the luxury of wearing shorts and a t-shirt as we open Sinai Temple Basketball Camp. Over 70 kids of all ages and abilities compete at a high level, learn the rules of the game, sportsmanship, and team work. Yet, this camp is what we call “beyond basketball.” Each day we take a break for a life lesson, inviting a hero into our midst, learning about an organization that helps those in need, and working on a project connected to fixing a broken world….
Practice Happiness
It’s been said that we need to practice happiness in order to be happy. I never agreed with this. How can we practice an emotion without an authentic feeling? Our Torah teaches in the three part priestly blessing, “God should shine God’s countenance upon you.” I have heard this blessing recited thousands of times, at the Shabbat table and at baby naming, B’nai Mitzvah and weddings. Yet, it was this week that I understood this teaching in a deeper way. Rabbi Zelig Pliskin explains that if we are created in God’s image, then there is no excuse to greet our…
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