Entries by Evan Krame

President Profane

“This is a law for all time throughout the ages for you must distinguish between the sacred and the profane, and between the impure and the pure” Leviticus 10: 9 […]

Moving Forward

“What’s the difference between depression and anxiety?” my friend asked over lunch. Depression keeps you fixated on the past. Anxiety traps you in fear about the future. Either way, many […]

Renewing Freedom Seder

Renewing Freedom Seder (A song of welcome framing the event) Circle ’round for freedom, Circle ’round for peace; For all of us imprisoned, Circle for release. Circle for the planet, […]

Getting Rid of Schmutz

I have begun cleaning the house in preparation for Passover. My grandmother might have said we were getting rid of the schmutz. This year, the process is cathartic. It’s more […]

Realize Their Guilt

It shall be that when he [realizes his] sin and incurs guilt. וְהָיָה֮ כִּֽי־יֶחֱטָ֣א וְאָשֵׁם֒ וְהֵשִׁ֨יב אֶת־הַגְּזֵלָ֜ה We have leaders who are acting abhorrently. Yet, they think they are doing […]

Respecting Workers

יַּ֨רְא מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־כׇּל־הַמְּלָאכָ֗ה וְהִנֵּה֙ עָשׂ֣וּ אֹתָ֔הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה כֵּ֣ן עָשׂ֑וּ וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ אֹתָ֖ם מֹשֶֽׁה׃ And when Moses saw that they had performed all the tasks—as יהוה had commanded, so they […]

The Power of Repetition

“I heard you the first time,” I might have said to family members who repeated instructions to me. Repetition can be both helpful and off-putting. Because the Torah is filled […]

The Wrong Leader

וַיַּ֣רְא הָעָ֔ם כִּֽי־בֹשֵׁ֥שׁ מֹשֶׁ֖ה לָרֶ֣דֶת מִן־הָהָ֑ר וַיִּקָּהֵ֨ל הָעָ֜ם עַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered against Aaron.” Exodus […]