Category Archives: Uncategorized

I often describe Judaism as the “art of irrational optimism”.  By that I’m affirming belief in a Creator who is well-intentioned, who stacks the deck for our ultimate success.  This underlying structural directionality towards the eventual resolution of our world … Continue reading →

As we progress from the plateau of Pesach, becoming free from the oppression of Mitzraim and all that implies, and approach the culmination of our journey with Shavuot, merging with the highest state of awareness which we call Torah, we find ourselves in an … Continue reading →

Racism is never acceptable.  Just as we, in America, evolved beyond a way of life where it seemed ok to say that black people were not allowed to live in certain neighborhoods of our cities, the world must evolve to … Continue reading →

I am walking alone in the rain on the seventh night of Pesach.  This is the day we cross the ים סוף, the Red (or Reed) Sea, in our final escape from Egypt.  The Torah describes a night of terror, of … Continue reading →

In English, we call Pesach the Holiday of Freedom, but the Hebrew word, גאולה,  Geula actually means redemption.  שחרות Shichrut, which means freedom, is only seen incidentally, and not strictly in the Haggadah itself (rather in the song made from … Continue reading →

I’m a guitarist.  When I’m not playing my own music, my favorite piece in the whole world is the Prelude from Bach’s first Cello Suite.  Technically, it’s not overly difficult to play, but each note is so rich with potential … Continue reading →

I wasn’t yet nine when President Kennedy challenged the American people “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  I’m saddened and actually a little surprised that so many people who … Continue reading →

In a rather technical discussion about civil marriage and whether its dissolution requires a get, a formal religious divorce, a friend pointed out that historically, different communities had different readings of the weight of civil marriage and, thus, different decisions … Continue reading →

In the midst of the parshiot of building the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary in the desert, once again I’m enjoying the insights of the Malbim, a unique nineteenth century sage and leader.  In these sections he reveals especially deep meanings … Continue reading →

I probably see at least several headlines a week talking about our growing addiction to social networking on the internet.  In the past year, Facebook has become the web’s most-visited domain.  Experts regularly pontificate on how to cure ourselves or … Continue reading →