For over twenty-five years I have written the weekly “Musings” column for The New York Jewish Week, which for more than a decade we have sent out as “Off The Pulpit.” Now, after some 1,300 weekly columns, I am taking a break. I will be on a six month sabbatical, traveling and writing, from January to June. I won’t be on e-mail or Facebook. A real break.I plan to be back in the summer, but in the meantime, I would like to thank those of you who have read the column over the years and have occasionally written with suggestions, criticism, praise and corrections. I have discovered how easy it is to make mistakes, even in short columns. And I have also discovered the immense generosity of spirit of the readers, who frequently offer kind words and encouragement.I aimed for the refrigerator. A triumph was a column that somehow ended up on a cork-board or a refrigerator. Of course, it is a little tough to tape your iPhone to the fridge, so, as of late, I have hoped to be forwarded to others.The wisdom of the Jewish tradition is literally inexhaustible. When people ask about the inspiration to write each week, the simple answer is that it is all there, in the Torah, in the commentaries, in the vast sea of Talmud and Jewish literature. I know this will continue to nourish me as I hope it nourishes you, and I look forward to seeing you back next summer. In the meantime, here are two recent articles — one a NY Times review I wrote about whether the Exodus happened and why God no longer speaks to us, and the other for the Jewish Book Council on how Jews comment on one another. Please enjoy and have a restful and blessed new year.
Off the Pulpit
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