The Torah is often compared to “a tree of life.” As we sing when we return to the Torah to the ark, “It is a tree of life for those that hold fast to it.” What is the essence of the analogy? What is a tree of life? A tree, even the tallest and grandest, emanates from a tiny seed. The seed produces roots, anchored and overlapping. Over time, branches grow and fruit develops. The cycle begins again, with new life sprouting and spreading. So too, Torah gives us grounding in an ever changing and challenging world. We stretch our minds and expand our souls, with Torah leaving positive imprints on t ..read more

The Torah introduces us to the idea of not defrauding another person. Leviticus 25:17 teaches, “Do not cheat one another, but fear your God.” Hasidic master, Rabbi Simcha Bunim, cautions us in our reading of the verse. He says, “Do not read amito (one another) but instead, read emet (truth). Exchange the letter ayin with the letter aleph.” Meaning, do not cheat the truth from yourself. It is much easier to criticize and judge someone else than it is to be honest with one’s own misgivings. Fingers pointed somewhere else. Others gossip. Others litter. Others find ways to cheat their neighbors. R ..read more

It seems strange to think about Yom Kippur before celebrating Shavuot. However, the Torah reading compels us to think about the Yom Kippur rituals and how they apply to our lives, both during Yom Kippur and every day. Rabbi Shai Held explains that the verses regarding Yom Kippur are less about the purification of one’s soul and more about the purification of the Mishkan, the traveling sanctuary. He teaches, “A defiled sanctuary is a terrifying proposition because, Leviticus assumes that God will not abide in a place of impurity….The Day of Atonement thus aims to ensure that God’s presence does ..read more

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