SINCE THE FIRST century, when Jews were executed for converting others, Judaism has not been a religion interested in seeking converts. Although we know many… Continue reading
A FEW WEEKS ago, the world recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day, reminding us of what can happen when a group is targeted as undesirable, and… Continue reading
PROVERBS 4:13 TEACHES “Hold fast to mussar and do not let it go.” The Jewish study of mussar is the spiritual practice of balancing ethical… Continue reading
Jewish tradition teaches us that our world stands on three things: on the Torah, on worship and on acts of kindness. The Hebrew word for… Continue reading
DURING A YOM Kippur service this year, the rabbi of a large synagogue asked his congregation how many have thought about leaving the country. Sadly,… Continue reading
JEWS HAVE JUST gone through a drastic transition from one of the most solemn holidays in our year, Yom Kippur, to Sukkot, one of the… Continue reading
AS THE DAYS shorten, and the nights become cooler, we feel a twinge of sadness that another summer is passing, wishing we could hang on… Continue reading
“There is divine beauty in learning just as there is human beauty in tolerance” (Elie Wiesel). EDUCATION HAS ALWAYS been a deeply held value in… Continue reading
FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL, light has been a crucial part of all religious rituals. Candles, fire, lights and awe for the sun and stars permeate all… Continue reading
ALONG WITH THE belief that Judaism does not claim to have the ultimate “truth” about God, the almost fanatical pursuit of justice is a fundamental… Continue reading
“Be strong and let your heart have courage” (Joshua 1:6). In Jewish tradition, we are told we must have the courage to challenge decisions and… Continue reading
Throughout the Torah, we are taught the importance of honesty and justice. In Deuteronomy 16:18-2:19, the portion Shoftim (Judges) begins with a declaration of how… Continue reading
“I love Passover because for me it is a cry against indifference, a cry for compassion” (Elie Wiesel). For the last few months, the Torah… Continue reading
“Nation shall not rise up against nation, nor shall they practice war anymore.” Isaiah’s words are in our hearts as we watch the brutal assault… Continue reading
Judaism does not focus on what happens after we die. There is virtually nothing in the Torah about an afterlife. This teaches us that the… Continue reading
As we enter a new year, Jews have begun reading the book of Exodus, which tells our story of liberation from slavery, wandering through the… Continue reading
One of the favorite moments of my day is walking out to my mailbox, usually before dawn, to get the Peninsula Daily News. In the… Continue reading
We are taught in the Talmud that “The world rests on three things: justice, truth, and peace” (Avot 1:18). We are also taught that “The… Continue reading
Jews regularly recite a prayer called the V’ahavtah, which comes from Deuteronomy and Numbers. The word V’ahavtah means “and you shall love,” and it entreats… Continue reading
During the Jewish month of Elul, the month before Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, Jews are encouraged to engage in self reflection as to what… Continue reading
