Tag Archives | 2019

Elul, the month of reflection and preparation. At this time significant words pass through my thoughts. Words like repentance, reflection, introspection, spiritual stature come into my time of prayer, chanting, singing and even when I am driving on a beautiful sunny California day, windows down, sun roof back, with either the Beach Boys singing their […]

I have often wondered how do we feel G’d’s presence in today’s modern urban society? When I am in the store looking for a particular item and there is exactly one of that item left on the shelf, was G-d responsible for my good fortune? When I long for a day free of obligations, and […]

In June/July of this year, I fulfilled a life-long dream to travel to Eastern Europe, specifically to Poland, Lithuania and Belarus, the cradle of Jewish civilization and culture for centuries before World War II. My father was born in Vilnius, Lithuania (part of Poland before WW II). Part of purpose of the journey was one […]

Those who know me understand the title of this piece. Skeptical is my middle name. So where does this doubting instinct come from and why do I always look for another explanation? Even before I could read, probably around age five, I began doubting. The memory of this event is vivid and pops up every […]

Many years ago, I attended the Catholic wedding of one of my students. During the ceremony, the priest intoned, “… and let us say a special blessing for the outcasts, the lepers and the Jews.” I could not restrain my outward guffaw of laughter, knowing that the groom, my former student, would well-understand my inability […]

Elul already—How did it get so near? Elul already—What became of the year? What happened during Eluls Past as Eluls passed? Why are seconds so slow but years so fast? What did I do? Did I do anything right? Did I do enough? Did I do anything? Are things better? Is there less bad? Am […]

When we observe Tisha B’av, the 9th of Av, we remember the destruction of the Temples. For three weeks prior, we prepared ourselves to be in this state of mourning. But just as we leave the shiva house and walk around the block once, it’s time for us to walk around the block and enter […]