This week we begin to read the first and only book of the Chumash that it is written in first person. Moses had so surrendered his ego to the Divine that his words were also God’s words, explain the commentators of this week’s parsha Devarim.
“Moses’ utter identification with the divine wisdom empowers our own lesser souls, each of which possesses ‘a spark of the […]
Korach, Numbers 16:01-18:32
In contemporary commentary, Korach is sometimes described as a demagogue. Just as often, Talmud Brachot 58a is quoted: “Just as the faces of people do not exactly resemble one another, so too their opinions do not exactly resemble one another.” In our time, just about everyone, leaders on both sides of the aisle included, can be accused of responding with demagoguery. In […]
Shelach Lecha
By Student Rabbi Dr. Roberta Glick
The Torah portion this week begins with the story of the spies. It ends with the third paragraph of the Shema, perhaps our most well-known prayer. It is this paragraph I am going to focus on because I believe it frames the essence of Judaism: zakar – mindful remembering. This drash was inspired by several teachers, especially Jordan […]
November 29th is Giving Tuesday, a worldwide holiday that encourages giving back to our communities. With one voice, non-profits reach out on Giving Tuesday to ask for our time, skills, and dollars to make a difference in other people’s lives. Giving back to the community is a long-standing Jewish tradition. Isaiah 32:17 says, “and the work of tzedakah shall bring peace.”
I asked Hebrew Seminary […]
By Executive Director Alison C. Brown
We look to Abraham to teach us advocacy. Last week we read of God’s plan to destroy the city of Sodom. The story teaches us to argue with the powers that be when lives are at stake. Abraham teaches us to argue for the rights of all people and there is no doubt that we need to step-up our […]
From the pen of Hebrew Seminary Executive Director Alison Brown
First thing every morning my mind begins its chatter. What is the order of my day? What needs doing at work? What needs doing after work? In my mind tasks skirmish for priority. On the occasion that I disengage, I pat myself on the head with compassion. The mind works loves to conjure up problems […]
Our sidra this week is Chukat which includes the mysterious telling of Moses emotionally striking the rock in the wilderness of Zin to bring forth much needed water for the people of Israel (Num. 20:10-11). For this, Moses was not allowed to enter the land of Canaan.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks observes this is the first trial that Moses had to face as a leader without […]
Chesed
By Sandra Charak
Kindness is so much more than charity. Acts of kindness, Chesed, come from the heart. They are spontaneous gestures of goodwill to strangers as well as friends.
Acts of kindness are done without expectation of anything in return and begins with being aware of your surroundings. Small gestures of kindness are as simple as a smile while saying please and thank you to a […]
We asked our students for their thoughts on practicing kindness. We are pleased to share some of their essays.
Stop the madness!!! — I want to get off!!!
by Tirtzah Israel
Where’s our compassion for one another? What happened to kindness? Why are we so afraid to acknowledge its need and purpose in everyday life? The power of kindness is here in our world waiting to be […]
We asked our students for their thoughts on practicing kindness. We are pleased to share some of their essays.
Kindness in the Grey Zone
by Matthew Katz
One of our tradition’s most esteemed scholars was Rabbi Hillel, who is perhaps most renowned for his gratifying a potential convert’s challenge to teach the whole Torah while standing on one leg, by responding, “That which is hateful to you, […]