I have a sweet friend who I visit every Shabbos. We sit together and chat about “Jewish Stuff” and then share the blessings of entering Shabbos. During these 7 weeks of Omer we have been talking about the 7 x 7 Sefirot. Here is installment two of the Counting of the Omer. Last week was Hesed, unconditional love. This week is Gevurah. Read more
The memorial of shoes on the Danube river in Budapest. Read more
Yesterday we commemorated the Shoah, the Holocaust. We reiterate time and again as we commemorate the Shoah the word Zachor, remember. What does this really mean? My Rabbi began his sermon before Yikzor (the memorial service) on the 8th day of Pesach (Passover) by speaking about the commandment to remember our slavery and the exodus from Egypt – as if anyone that lived through it could forget. Maybe that’s the point though, while those who lived through such an intense experience would forever be shaped... Read more
I remember him so clearly. This older rabbi. Mind you, most of the rabbis in my life are family members but this time it was different. For once in my life, "my" rabbi wasn't my dad or grandfather. If I close my eyes, I can see him. I can see the moment that is seared into my memory. I was only 5. That's how strong of an impression he left. Read more
This from the Associated Press: “Pope Benedict XVI’s personal preacher is likening accusations against the pope and the church in the sex abuse scandal to ‘collective violence’ suffered by the Jews. The Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa said in a Good Friday sermon, with the pope listening to him in St. Peter’s Basilica, that a Jewish friend has said the accusations remind him of the ‘more shameful aspects of anti-Semitism.'” I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry, though the fact... Read more
I know this isn't a Jewish article but our resident Catholic priest here at Patheos has written a post about the Catholic Church's latest sex scandal explosion... Read more
Counting the Omer through life's stories. Week One: Unconditional Love = Hesed Read more
Baking a baby for a challah... no wait, reverse that. Baking a challah for a baby! Fact or fiction, you decide... Read more
About four years ago my wife and I met a group of people who all had a child of a similar age in a class with my oldest (then only) daughter. If you don’t have kids, one of the first things you learn upon ascending to parenthood is that you have to develop a new set of friends, a process akin to dating. It is stressful, exhilarating (“do you think they like us too?!?”), and a generally fun experience. We... Read more
Car repairs, a seder in the White House, and a Macaroon Security Standoff... oh my! Read more
Modern Midrash
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