Many of us are familiar with the four children in the Haggadah. The wise, rebellious, innocent ,and voiceless children sit at the table. Adults are tasked to teach the story of our people according to each child’s learning style and ability. Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn analogizes the passage of the four children as four different generations of Jews within America. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin further expounds this interpretation. Paraphrased: “The wise child represents the European roots…those with a love for learning and profound knowledge of Jewish tradition. The wicked child, brought up within t ..read more

The themes of Passover are smacking us in the face. In the Haggadah, we implore each Jew to see themselves as if they were the ones to personally leave Egypt. As we watch the Islamic Republic of Iran reign terror on Israel and experience direct antisemitism in our local communities, this line in the Haggadah feels as if it is being written, read, and lived in real time. The shackles of ancient Egypt feel ever present. The nightmare isn’t over. At the heart of the Seder is, “Mah Nishtana?” “How is this night different from all other nights?” We encourage the youngest child to ask the questions ..read more

We live in a polarized world. More and more, we have reasons to turn from each other and walk on separate paths. But sometimes, miraculously, a natural event reminds us that we have more in common than we realize. The eclipse revealed humanity’s humble heart. As cities were bathed in totality, immersed in darkness and together, sensing the stillness of the birds in the middle of the day, humans saw how much we share. While our paths may feel completely different, we join in the most common experience: living on earth. It is the recognition of our humanity that reveals the humble heart. And if ..read more

Of all the Jewish holidays, Passover requires the longest preparation. We clean our homes, kasher our kitchens, buy an obscene amount of food, and design elaborate Seder meals. There is an abundance of effort and exhaustion in the process of attaining “freedom.” Perhaps, this is a minuscule step in understanding the historical journey of our people. Freedom was an effort filled, exhausting process. A mental and physical maze that felt impossible to escape. Imagine a Pharaoh that refused to let our people go, even after giving hints of relenting. Imagine a Jewish people that prayed day and nigh ..read more

I officiated at a funeral of a woman that reminded me of an important lesson. Perhaps, the most important life lesson: To fully embrace each moment we have in this world. At the age of 45, she was diagnosed with cancer and was told she would have 3-6 months left to live. Instead of accepting her fate, she searched for other opinions. One doctor told her, “If you’re willing to fight, I’ll fight with you.” Hope revealed. She lived another 27 years. A true medical miracle. Savoring time with her children and grandchildren, thrilled to be present at graduations, weddings, births, and b’nai mitzvah ..read more

This week, we experienced an international effort through Aish to bring Jews together. The initiative was called, “Global Hour of Jewish Unity.” Aish CEO Steven Burg asked Jews to sing the Shma at precisely the same time, emulating our ancestors during the reign of Queen Esther. Just as the Jews of Shushan came together and prayed for a miracle, so too with prayer, we shall overcome this evil in the world. And he urges that our prayers will garner enough strength to return the hostages and bring peace to Israel. I joined the prayerful effort. But I want more. Immediately after October 7th, Jew ..read more

We have reached the season of changing the clocks. This time, springing forward. Daylight stretches, gifting us chirping birds and welcoming rays of the sun. But we are also reminded that when one physically and mentally springs forward, there’s always a chance of falling. Falling is a universal, natural fear. Applying for jobs, testing out and repairing of relationships, taking risks, speaking up, stepping outside of our comfort zone. All examples of attempting to spring forward. All examples where we might fall in the process. Purim is around the corner. The holiday that commemorates a story ..read more

The golden calf story bothers me. After escaping Egypt and the fiery vengeance of Pharaoh, the Children of Israel are close to receiving God’s written instructions. Moses leaves the group to embark on this divine mission, only to return to find a scene of pure chaos. I don’t blame the recently freed Hebrew slaves. Before heading to receive the Torah on Mount Sinai, Moses and Aaron should have engaged in a vital conversation. In full detail, God tells Moses to anoint Aaron and the priests. A pretty involved ritual. But God doesn’t tell Moses to anoint Aaron as a leader in his stead. That when M ..read more

The Torah introduces the ner tamid, the eternal light that was present in the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary. In every synagogue across the world, you will find a ner tamid—a light that connects us to the original ner tamid mentioned in the book of Shemot. The sages spend an ample time discussing the eternal light. What does it mean to have a light that continuously burns? Rashi explains that a continuously burning light occurs when one begins igniting the flame and only retreats after witnessing the flame existing on its own. A light that is sourced from another but learns how to exist on it ..read more

It’s the season of love. Or at least, according to Hallmark. Valentine’s Day is not a Jewish holiday. Far from it. But the day gives us another opportunity to look deeper into our tradition and see how love plays a role in our most important relationships. Leviticus 19:18 reads, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Rabbi Akiba identifies this verse as a fundamental principle of the Torah. Rabbi Arnold Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, explains that the Jewish notion of love is action-oriented. Love should be behavior focused. He writes, “Love does not dwell ..read more