For several thousands of years the Jewish People considered themselves to be God’s “Chosen People.” Our ancestors felt that God has chosen the Jewish People to help realize God’s vision for humanity and all creation. Sometimes the idea of being God’s chosen people was a source of comfort and a buffer against the difficulties […]
Songwriting
Praying with our Feet
As I’m writing this post our Davis Academy 5th graders are visiting the 16th Street Baptist Church and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It was that very field trip in 2015 that inspired the words and music of the 7th track on Menschology called, “Praying with our Feet.” Jews have a long history of praying […]
Love Wins
Love Wins. It may not always feel that way. It may not always be obvious. It may not mean that there isn’t a great struggle to get there or that real pain and suffering aren’t inflicted along the way. But Love Wins. There may be wounds that never fully heal and scars that always remind. […]
Laasok B’divrei Torah
The 3rd track on Menschology is a new interpretation of Judaism’s blessing for the study of Torah. The words, Laasok b’divrei Torah are part of that blessing and have the interesting meaning of “to busy oneself with words of Torah.” Many people confuse the word “Laasok” with the more common Hebrew word “Laasot.” The latter means, […]
Oseh Shalom
Oseh Shalom is probably Judaism’s most well-known prayer for peace. “May the One who makes peace up above make peace among us, among Israel, and among all humanity.” One reading of the prayer might suggest that Oseh Shalom is saying that true peace can only come from God. While there may be some deep […]
Adonai S’fatai Tiftach
Psalm 51:15 reads, “Adonai, s’fatai tiftach, u’fi yagid t’hilatecha.” God, open my lips, and my mouth will speak your praise. Many Jews know these words because they are recited at the beginning of the Amidah, one of the centerpieces of Jewish prayer. They act as a kind of gateway that the worshipper passes through […]