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Hello, is that God Calling? (Vayikra)
Rabbi David Evan Markus The opening of Torah’s middle book, Vayikra (Leviticus), asks a hidden question that is perhaps the most important question in Jewish spiritual life. Torah’s story of liberation and wandering goes on hiatus, shifting to our ancestors’ ancient cultic rites. Before relaying that narrative, Torah begins: “God called to Moses and spoke to him from…
March 13, 2015
Sacred Time
We speak of sacred time and sacred space as if they exist on their own. But they don't - their sacred nature is an attribute that we impose or imbue them with. We can easily ignore Shabbat and treat it like any of the other six days in the week - there is nothing inherent…
March 9, 2015
The State of Judaism
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, founder of CLAL and interpreter of Judaism as a Modern Orthodox Rabbi, recently gave a "State of Judaism" talk in San Francisco. After assessing the problems, including that nearly 90% of Jews in the Bay area have no Jewish affiliation, his advice was the following: 1. We must re-articulate the Jewish narrative. We…
March 4, 2015
Building and Nature
by Rabbis Evan J. Krame & David Evan Markus Architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously said, "I believe in God, only I spell it Nature." Construction trades tend more to concern gutters and girders than God, but Wright proclaims his connection with divinity, constructed in and through nature. This week’s Torah portion (Ki Tisa) agrees, and offers…
February 28, 2015
A Sense of Jewish Place
by Rabbi David Evan Markus Ask 100 American Jews where they feel most Jewish, and three answers are most likely to emerge: synagogue, home, and Israel. Synagogue is a communal space for ritual expression of Jewish identity. Home is a private space that we sometimes open for others to join our celebrations of Jewish space…
February 18, 2015
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