


Don’t Touch, Don’t Look
Boundaries can keep us protected. With concern for health and safety we learn that there are things we don’t touch, and even times when we don’t look. Of course the Torah sets out a compelling case of healthy boundaries serving as holy behavior,…

I’m (Not) Complaining But . . .
All people complain. Jews elevated complaining to a holy art. Just read the Torah. The text is peppered with complaints. Perhaps Torah anticipated the “gig” economy, where the world revolves around the threat of complaints. I'm not complaining,…

Moses and Martin
Given the many parallels in their lives, Martin Luther King, Jr. is often compared to Moses. For each man, their most important work was during times of great oppression of their people. Both spoke their truths to power – whether it was the…

When You Talk to God
When you talk to God, you're praying...When God speaks to you, you're a schizophrenic.An early prayer in the Torah is in the fifth chapter of Exodus. God sent Moses to Pharaoh with a demand. Pharaoh responded by increasing the Israelites'…

What’s Your Name?
No one knows the names of the people who lived in the mountains surrounding the Mexican city of Oaxaca. We don’t know the names of their rulers, nor do we even know what they called their city. Yet, names are a defining element of a culture…

Your Kids Will Hate This Blog Post
We are experiencing a breakdown in society. The divisions between intimates, whether friends or family, are pronounced in our times. We just don’t trust each other enough. People can’t relate to one another unless there is an element of…

Fractured Families
Relationships are unraveling in the face of ideological clashes, particularly when it comes to discussions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict. The divisive nature of politics and differing worldviews has permeated family dynamics, causing…

The Jewish Race
Jewish identity is a bit confusing. There are many organizational and fundamental identities of Jews. Are we a tribe, a religion, a people, or a race? I can hold multiple identities in mind. Jewish identity is confusing to others, and not in…

The Pit
Formerly captive Israelis are now telling stories of being held below ground in deep, dark places. The hostages felt scared, lonely, and hungry. Perhaps the emotional consequences of being abducted and held captive, like living in a pit, can…