Nitzavim-Vayeilech — standing-and [Moses] went (Deuteronomy 29:9–31-30) Know before whom you stand.They are goldmines.They are every possibility.They have history and secrets,baggage and joys. Know before whom you standwhere they have come fromwhat brought them to this spotin front of you, in front ofthe words you will tell them.Choose those words carefully. Know before whom you […]
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Ki Tavo — when you come (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8) We went to dinner the other nightand when we asked if we could bring anythingthey said no, but if you want, you could bring dessert or fruit. Being goodcitizens of the dinner guest economynaturally, we brought both. When we arrived, they already hada bowl of fruit and […]
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Ki Teitzei — when you go out (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19) When you go out to war, be nice.Be nice when you get to the war.Be nice to the beautiful captives.Be nice to the trees of your enemies. When you go out to the wardress warmly. It is cold at the war.You don’t want your mother worryingyou’ll […]
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Va’etchanan — I entreated (Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11) As one who follows the teachingsof Jewish theologian and scholar Mick JaggerI have learned the Torah ofnot always getting what I want. I’m at the point where it sometimes feels likenot always becomes rarely ever. I have learned,like Moses, to ask earnestly, but, like to Moses,the response is uncomfortably […]
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Tetzaveh — command (Exodus 27:20–30:10) I don’t like to take commandsbut my bosses like to issue themand my mortgage likes to get paid. I say I don’t like to take commands,but I’m a rule follower – No one jaywalkson my watch without getting judged. I don’t like to take commands or evenissue them. I say […]
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Vayetzei — And he went out (Genesis 28:10–32:3) And he went out from his homewith his stolen birthright and blessing And I went out from the East Coastwith golf pants and no particular direction. And he went out from an angry brotherand was saved by divine intervention. And I never wanted to go, buttweens have […]
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You had to have been born in the 1980s or earlier to have a firsthand memory of the night Yitzhak Rabin was shot 30 years ago this week. For most young adults, Rabin’s assassination is something they learned about in history class, at a day school assembly or from their parents. That gap — between […]
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B’reishit — In the beginning (Genesis 1:1–6:8) In the beginning there was nothing andliterally everything had to be made. Now there is everything and peoplestill want more. Just yesterday I overheard someone say it tookseven days to make the world. Maybe it was on television oron a bus (though I wasn’t on a bus…) or […]
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These are the parts of the Lulav and Etrogwe have held in our hands since we firstwandered the desert – LulavHow impressive you are, our spine, straight and bold.Pain, heat, softness, even tickling – every one of ourphysical feelings travels your distance. HadasYou are our eyes through which we see allthat there is to see. […]
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The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of God filled the Tabernacle. ~ Exodus 40:34 I bought a cocktail smoker recently.It is a pleasure to drink unadulterated whiskeyand a different pleasure to have oneinfused with the smoke of acacia woodor, more likely, oak. You place the smoker over the glassfill its basket […]
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