This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, ends with the idea that no one should come to God empty-handed (Deut. 16:16). As I heard these words chanted from the Torah this morning, I found myself wondering whether it’s actually possible to show up empty-handed. To me, empty-handed implies that we’ve got nothing. Absolutely nothing. To bring. To […]
Torah
Walk Before Me
Walk Before Me Walk before me, walk before me Walk before me, and everything’ll be alright Walk before me, free from blame Walk before, know my name Walk before me, walk in grace, Walk before me, set the pace Walk behind me, walk behind me Walk behind me, and everything’ll be alright Walk behind me, […]
Love Your Neighbor
It’s simple: Love your neighbor as yourself. The rest is commentary. Love your neighbor even after they’ve moved and are no longer your neighbor. Love your neighbor even before they’re your neighbor. Love your neighbor even when their guests park in front of your mailbox. Love your neighbor even when they need to access their […]
Sweetness and Light
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 […]
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, […]