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
“AND HE SHALL turn the heart of the parents to the children, and heart of the children to their parents” (Malachi 3:24). Sometimes our children… Continue reading
JEWISH TRADITION HAS always emphasized that we are created B’zelem Elohim, in God’s image, and we all have the spark of Divine within us. Thus,… Continue reading
The Talmud says, “Truth is the seal of the Holy One, blessed be He.” Rabbi Luzzatto (1707-1746) taught “Truth is one of the very foundations… Continue reading
“Anti-Semitism is the hatred that never dies. Violence that begins with the Jews never ends with them. All of this is true. What’s also true… Continue reading
The central tenet for Jewish behavior is the commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself” found in the portion K’doshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27). This portion is… Continue reading
Mahatma Gandhi said, “The enemy is fear. We think it is hate, but it is fear.” Fear can make us do things we normally wouldn’t… Continue reading
