I remember one clear moment when I knew I had found "my place." In my 4th year of rabbinic school I participated in a 5-day Jewish spirituality retreat.* We studied the Zohar's interpretation of the Torah portion “Lech Lecha." The Zohar, Judaism's mystical interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, has a fascinating read on this text in Genesis. It is in Continue Reading
Prayer for Yom Kippur
In the next 25 hours, as you gather together to participate in Yom Kippur prayer services, in-person or online – Or perhaps you take silent time at the beach to contemplate your last year - Reflect: What & from whom did you learn? Who did you hurt, intentionally or otherwise? What amends do you need to make? For what are you Continue Reading
Hold Both Truth & Joy
Rosh Hashanah 2019 This is the sermon I delivered on Rosh Hashanah at the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County. People asked to read it - so here it is: Rabbi Alan Lew, of blessed memory, writes that the High Holy Days season promises nothing less than total personal transformation - IF we do the work, and pay attention. Each of us should leave Continue Reading
Love Yourself On The Way To Wholeness
High Holy Day Soul Work, Part 5 As Rosh Hashanah comes closer, our prayers become more urgent, because ready or not, the holy days are upon us. We reflect more deeply on our misdeeds of the past year, and where we have fallen short of being our best selves. Part of the powerful ritual we go through each High Holy Day season is the cleansing of our Continue Reading
Do The Cosmic Turn: Teshuvah
High Holy Day Soul Work, Part 4 The cosmic principle of the entire High Holy Day season is teshuvah - to turn. Unfortunately, it is often translated as “repentance” which sounds severe and judgmental. However, teshuvah actually means “to turn, return, restore.” My teacher, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner writes of teshuvah: “All God ever says is return (teshuvah) to Continue Reading
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