Religion
G-d is not an Orthodox Jew, nor is G-d Conservative or Reform. What about you?
It isn’t what you think it is. It isn’t cold, it isn’t irrelevant, it isn’t biased, and it certainly isn’t chauvinistic. Religion gets a very bad rap. But Religion is to existence what notes and scales are to music; Religion is to humanity what grammar is to language. Religion is but a highly sophisticated system of spiritually mathematical rules that allow us to experience life and reality in a deeply meaningful way. The challenge of course is discovering the music in the notes, lest it be coerced piano lessons all over again. And this discovery is why you are here.
Vayakhel Pekudei: Service or Slavery?
We humans must shed the blinding force of self-interest and respond to the call for service; we must weaken the grip that keeps us trapped and enslaved to our own temptations, and allow ourselves to be mobilized to serve – not human structures, but to serve – our higher calling.
Read MoreKi Tisa: To Serve
If you need a strong wake-up call (and who of us does not?) visit a military base. It will teach you the dramatic difference between a life of duty and one of no duty.
Read MoreVaeira: Haiti
Rabbi Simon Jacobson reflects on the humanitarian response to the Haiti disaster, and how it reflects a shift in global spiritual engagement.
Read MoreVayechi: 2500 Seekers
Let us always remember that whomever you meet in the coming year will not be an accident. It will be an opportunity – a dual opportunity: For you to illuminate, inspire and warm that person’s soul, to inspire encourage that person to add and extra good deed; and for you to be illuminated and inspired in return.
Read MoreVayeishev: Didgeridoo
A didgeridoo, also known as a didge, is considered to be the world’s oldest wind instrument. Jewish spiritual connection to the didgeridoo…
Read MoreVayishlach: Hypocrisy
Instead of seeing hypocrisy in our inconsistencies, we should be seeing in them our struggle to discover our true selves—a struggle that inevitably creates a dichotomy between what you believe and what you do.
Read MoreVayeitzei: Jewish Roots
Perhaps the venerable New York Times can learn a thing or two about “all the news that’s fit to print” from living with the times in this week’s Torah portion.
Read MoreKi Teitzei: Religion and Dysfunctionality
Our calling is to marginalize (and possibly eliminate) so-called “religious” behavior that feeds the stereotype of close-minded, unevolved and condescending religiosity. And more importantly, reintroduce the alternative – faith and religion that allows man to actualize and shine in his full glory.
Read MoreVaetchanan: Religion and Ethics
What should our attitude and response be when we witness Rabbis arrested in chains?
Read MoreBamidbar: The Blessing of Diversity
Like different musical notes in a large composition, each community, group or even individual, contributes his or her unique note.
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