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Challenging boundaries
Boundaries and borders are set to provide order. Yet, sometimes a challenge to the order or even a little disorder is required. Evidence of this is found at the end of the Book of Numbers which closes with the final resolution of the land inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad and setting the stage for the…
August 1, 2016
What is on your computer screen?
The background image on my computer is a faded 1911 picture of my great grandmother, Anna, and four of her five then-surviving children. I know little about Anna but for her name and where she is buried. In that same picture, my grandmother, Sarah, is a girl of about seven years old. She stands slightly behind…
July 24, 2016
Separation of Shul and State
In this moment of high political drama in U.S. and European history, politicians are claiming moral and even spiritual mantles to advocate causes. This week's Torah portion (Balak) focuses us on that political use and misuse of spiritual authority. Balak was king of Moab, through whose desert territory the Israelites had to travel en route…
July 18, 2016
Hearts Entwined
This teaching is offered in memory of Elie Wiesel, z"l. May his legacy be justice, mercy and peace throughout the world. News reports again project the demise of the Jewish people through internal hostility that evokes Torah's parshat Korach, a rebellion against Moses and Aaron that split the Jewish people. I'd much rather work on…
July 3, 2016
When Fright Makes Right
Some fear is healthy ("don't stand in a busy highway"). Other fear is insidious, paralyzing, hope-draining and soul-snatching – and existential fear can be toxic if left to fester. This week's Torah portion (Shlach) calls us to see existential fear what it is, and move through it as a core commitment of Judaism. This week we learn…
June 26, 2016
Eat, Pray, Kvetch
We hear a great deal of complaining in portion Beha’alotecha this week (Numbers 8:1 – 12:16). The Israelites complain that they are tired of manna. Aaron and Miriam complain about Moses. Moses complains about the Israelites. There is a harsh response to each round of complaints. As a teacher, a supervisor and a mother I…
June 22, 2016
Holy Schlepping
Age is more than a number if it identifies your role in society. If you are in between 30 and 50, then Torah says you are of an age to be entrusted with the greatest priestly responsibilities. In this case I believe that the stated age, just like a suggested food expiration date, is probably…
June 13, 2016
In the Wilderness: How to Receive Torah
Next weekend (June 11, 2016) is Shavuot, Festival of Receiving Torah, when we evoke standing together at Sinai to receive anew the wisdom we call Torah. As preparation, this week's Torah portion (Bamidbar – "in the wilderness") comes to remind us how to open ourselves to receive that wisdom anew. The lesson, it turns out, is about wilderness itself.…
June 5, 2016
Curses into Blessings
The Tokheha (Admonishment) refers to the passage of curses that Moses relayed to the Israelites by way of moral lesson and warning. These curses are repeated twice in the Torah, in this week’s portion, Parashat Be-Hukotai (Lev. 26:14-46) and in Parashat Ki-Tavo (Deut. 28:15-69). In the Mishnah these verses are called curses (kelalot). They were customarily read on public fast…
May 29, 2016
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