Two thousand years ago in Babylonia (modern-day Iraq), the Jewish community in a small town called Derokera had a problem on Shabbat, a member of their community had died, and the family wasn’t sure if carrying the body of their loved one out from the home would violate Shabbat—thereby violating the laws of the Rabbis and the Torah. In comes Rabbi Nachman bar Yitzchak, a rabbi who has usually been known for preserving the laws of the previous generation, but not for interpreting any new laws. We might call him Rabbi Status Quo. Rabbi Nachman says that the laws of carrying on Shabbat can be broken in this case. Quickly, Rabbi Nachman’s colleagues challenge his ruling saying that he is wrong. However, Rabbi Nachman responds by giving this paramount principle in Judaism: So great is human dignity, that it overrides a prohibition in the Torah. Just as we are obligated to do almost anything to save a life, so too are we obligated to uphold human dignity. If our tradition upholds the … [Read more...]

I believe that the most powerful thing in the universe is language. Our Torah says that language is so powerful it even has the ability to create the universe itself. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution enshrined language as the very first, and perhaps most important law of our land. Every place that values the spoken or written word knows that it can give rise to revolution and unite the people. In the Jewish community today, we use language to bless people, to bless moments, and to bless spaces. In this week’s Torah portion, Naso, we read one of the most important blessings in Judaism, the Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:23-27): Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:  “May Adonai bless you and protect you. May Adonai’s face shine on you and be gracious to you. May Adonai’s face turn toward you and grant you peace.”’ Let them put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.  These are the words we use at every simcha, every happy … [Read more...]

According to our tradition, on this very night thousands of years ago, we Jews received the Torah on Mt. Sinai. With matan torah/the giving of the Torah, came the strategy and the means to create a new type of (aspirational) civilization, one that would change the world forever. …and so tonight, we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot! Jewish communities from around the world will read the Book of Ruth, recite joyous prayers, eat dairy meals, and bring harvest colors into their homes.  However, my favorite way to celebrate Shavuot is through Tikun Leyl Shavuot, group study, and learning. Education and study are paramount values in Judaism, for they signify the Jewish view of the world: that through effort and honest intention, progress towards something higher can be achieved. Throughout history, empires have marked their greatness by seeking to erect something permanent for all to see: statues, temples, buildings, plazas. Yet we know, regardless of what the powers of each age insist, that … [Read more...]

Recently, I was speaking with a friend on the telephone.  This friend also happens to be a Temple Emanu-El congregant.  When she asked me how I was doing, I told her the truth, “some days are better than others, and some weeks are better than others.”  She was surprised at what I said.  “Really?”  I assured her that this was true.  It happens that this week I am doing ok, but there have been other weeks where the time has been rough. I don’t think for a moment that I am unique in this.  I know that I am not.  My family and I have been (and continue to be) in as strict quarantine as we can manage, for all the right reasons.  And that can take its toll.  Most of the ‘lows’ that I experience come from missed opportunities and events that time will not give back.  All of us are experiencing this in one way or another:  Graduations that are absent of anticipated celebration, life-changing trips canceled, simchas delayed, hugging … [Read more...]

In the best of times, we can plan ahead weeks, months, maybe even years in advance. We know that life has its risks, but we do our best to try to account for surprises and volatility. Today, we can’t confidently say what we’ll be doing in a month, or a year from now. Living in such flux, we ought to be able to rely on the certainty of at least a few things: our family, our friends, and Temple Emanu-El to pull us through. The reason we should be able to do this goes back nearly 2000 years. Rabbi Akiva said, “The one who studies Torah in their youth will study Torah in their old age, and the one who had students in their youth will have students in their old age” (Babylonian Talmud Yevamot 62b). What Rabbi Akiva means with this teaching is that whatever is dear to us, whatever we make a habit, will stick with us throughout our life. Scientists know this to be true when it comes to forming and breaking habits. Whether we want to improve our mental health, physical health, or become … [Read more...]