On this Shabbat we are confronted with an intense and perplexing narrative. First, the world is overwhelmed with hamas, “lawless violence”, and then flooded unto utter destruction. The few who survive the catastrophic end of their world do not live happily ever after: a son takes advantage of his father’s vulnerability, reckless leaders gather followersContinue reading “Shabbat Noakh: The Fire This Time”
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A Rabbinic Statement Supporting the Lakota Nation in its Opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline
From the Shalom Center: We are living in the midst of a profound spiritual crisis in American society, expressed in the current election campaign and in many other forms as well. One of the most poignant is the nonviolent protest in North Dakota, led by people of the First Nations, against the imposition of theContinue reading “A Rabbinic Statement Supporting the Lakota Nation in its Opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline”
Shabbat Bereshit: Get Naked
This week, as we begin again to encounter Torah, we are back at the beginning. The first chapters encompass so much: The world is created: human beings exist, and interact with all other forms of life on earth as well as with each other. And there, of course, is where it gets complicated. Here’s where we start:Continue reading “Shabbat Bereshit: Get Naked”
Shabbat Hol HaMo’ed Sukkot: We Must (find time to) Celebrate
It is easy to miss our fall Harvest Festival of Sukkot in the stress created by the confluence of the Jewish New Year, marked by Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, with the start of the school year and the ramping up of fall activities for all of us after what is at least supposed toContinue reading “Shabbat Hol HaMo’ed Sukkot: We Must (find time to) Celebrate”
Kol Nidre: thanking the Movement for Black Lives
Why I have to thank the Movement for Black Lives for helping me to clarify my Jewish identity. Once upon a time, years ago during a visit to London, I took a tour to a town called Salisbury where I actually got to see a copy of the Magna Carta. I love historical artifacts, and soContinue reading “Kol Nidre: thanking the Movement for Black Lives”
Shabbat HaAzinu: Listen!
HaAzinu means “listen!” – “pay attention!” Now, in these few days between Yom Kippur and the start of our Sukkot holy day, now, when we are rushed to prepare not only for that Festival but for all that our New Year brings. “Listen!” The words of our parashah, Moshe’s final song, ring out over the agesContinue reading “Shabbat HaAzinu: Listen!”
Shabbat Shuvah: How Will You Go On the Last Day?
At the beginning of our parashat hashavua it is written: Vayelekh Moshe; vay’dabeyr et kol had’varim ha’eyleh el kol Yisrael, “Moshe went; he spoke all these things to all Israel” (Devarim 31.1) Although this form of speech may seem familiar to some of us (i.e. “he went and spoke”, or “he’s gone and done itContinue reading “Shabbat Shuvah: How Will You Go On the Last Day?”
Shabbat Nitzavim: What We Owe
Our parashat hashavua (Torah reading of the week) begins with quite a compelling scene: the entire Israelite community, gathered together on just the other side of the Jordan River from the Land of forty years’ struggle and search. The parashah begins with “you are standing this day, all of you, before G*d….to enter into theContinue reading “Shabbat Nitzavim: What We Owe”
Shabbat Shoftim: You Too Are a Judge, and Must Be
The beginning of parashat Shoftim calls for us to ensure justice in the communities in which we live. שֹׁפְטִים וְשֹׁטְרִים, תִּתֶּן-לְךָ בְּכָל-שְׁעָרֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ, לִשְׁבָטֶיךָ; וְשָׁפְטוּ אֶת-הָעָם, מִשְׁפַּט-צֶדֶק. Set up judges and officers in all your gates, everywhere that you are privileged to live by G*d’s grace. The judges must judge theContinue reading “Shabbat Shoftim: You Too Are a Judge, and Must Be”
Shabbat Re’eh: What Happens When You Look
Parashat Re’eh is named for our ability to see and understand: רְאֵה, אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לִפְנֵיכֶם–הַיּוֹם: בְּרָכָה, וּקְלָלָה – “see, I place before you today blessing and curse.” (Deut. 11.26). Blessing, we are told, follows the choice to comply (literally, “listen”); curse, if we do not. It seems so very simple and direct an expectation: look, and understand; hear,Continue reading “Shabbat Re’eh: What Happens When You Look”
Torah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Ariel Stone 