According to the Bible a false prophet is one who pretends to speak for God but in reality speaks for himself and is moved by his own intentions, emotions and political commitments. (Jeremiah 14:13–15; 23; Ezekiel 13:2, 3, 10, 11). Unlike Prophet Jeremiah, who had at least three false prophet antagonists; Ahab (Jeremiah 29:21), Azur (Jeremiah 28:1), and Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:5) Prophet Muhammad had lots of enemies in Macca, but none of them were false prophets of the one and… Read more
January 15, 2021
Did False Prophets Motivate Events at the US Capitol?
January 15, 2021 By Guest Contributor
May 14, 2020
Developing a Practice in Times of Pandemic
May 14, 2020 By Guest Contributor
The pandemic is overwhelming and disorienting. There are certain things you can do– wash your hands, follow guidelines for social distancing, cough into the crook of your elbow. Still, the enormity of the problem and the dramatic changes it has wrought in our lives has left many of us feeling out of control. To cope with the crisis, some binge-watch Netflix or eat pints of ice cream. Others check their phone’s news feed 17 times a day or buy toilet… Read more
April 7, 2020
Building Bridges of Compassion: Preparing for Passover & Easter Virtually
April 7, 2020 By Guest Contributor
Last Friday morning (March 27), approximately 100 students, faculty, and staff from Hebrew College, Boston College, and Boston University gathered virtually for the third annual “Preparing Our Hearts for Passover & Easter” program. As in past years, the event was designed to provide future spiritual and ethical leaders the opportunity to reflect on the personal and professional dimensions of these holy seasons, doing so in dialogue with peers and teachers from different denominational and religious communities. Of course, this year’s… Read more
February 19, 2020
Life in the “World House”: Cultivating Leaders for a Pluralistic Age
February 19, 2020 By Guest Contributor
In December 1964, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther Ling, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In his laureate lecture, Dr. King spoke of a “world house,” calling on his listeners to embrace a vision of humankind as interconnected and interdependent. The great Civil Rights leader argued that people had become “unduly separated in ideas, culture and interest,” and that because “we can never again live apart, [we] must learn somehow to live with each other in peace.” Dr. King’s… Read more
December 20, 2019
Hanukah Faith in a Time of Oppression
December 20, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
In December, when the dark nights grow longer and longer, Jews throughout the world kindle the candles of Hanukah: an eight day celebration of the human miracle of religious fortitude, faithfulness, hope and perseverance; and power of faith and trust in God in overcoming disappointment, despair and defeat during years of oppression and persecution. Hanukah (December 22-30/2019 this year) is the story of two Jewish struggles: the lesser military one—a 25 year long, off and on war, ending in a… Read more
November 27, 2019
Gratitude For Blessings Weakens the Curses Of Depressing News
November 27, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
Training people to view their own life positively is increasingly important, especially because many people form all kinds of negative attitudes about life based on the news media’s constant emphasis on all the world’s evils and tragedies. It is obvious that we all will suffer the loss of people we love to the inevitability of death. This is painful and sorrowful. Everyone also fears having a serious illness and their own eventual death. Today, fears, depression, anxiety, and frustration, create… Read more
August 5, 2019
Hajj In Qur’an and Bible
August 5, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
When Jews and Christians watch video of the Muslim Hajj from August 9 to August 14, plus the 3-day celebration of Eid al-Adha, very few of them will see the connection between Makka’s Hajj and Jerusalem’s three pilgrimage festivals, especially the eight day holiday of Sukkot/Shemine Ahtsreret. Read more
May 10, 2019
Hanah the Tzadekit—a Mother’s Day Model for Hassidic Jews and All Others
May 10, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
On this Mother’s Day, men who have been blessed with a wonderful mother and/or wife should thank God and follow the Talmud’s advice: “Love your wife as you love yourself—and honor her even more”; and “Be careful to honor your wife: for blessing enters the home only because of your wife.” For many people, Hassidic Jews are noticeable because of their Amish-like dress and ultra-orthodox behavior. But it is their unique stress on trusting in God and elevating one’s soul… Read more
April 30, 2019
Terrorist Targets Mosque and Synagogue
April 30, 2019 By Rabbi Allen S. Maller
Everyone should be constantly reminded that religious extremism is ultimately self-destructive to both itself and its supporters. In the words of the poet W. B. Yeats: “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold… The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” Read more
March 18, 2019
“Shebrew” Is Not a Typo in This Purim Story
March 18, 2019 By Jan Zauzmer
Swapping the gender of well-known characters can shed light on imbalances in the treatment of men and women. For Purim, reframing even a story helmed by a heroine allows us to unmask stereotypes on a holiday filled with masks. Read more
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