Articles tagged with: Prayer
Lech Lecha: Holistic Prayer
Focused Prayer
Have you heard of the rabbinical student who repeatedly failed his lifeguard test? Again and again, he failed to rescue the dummy from the bottom of the pool. The instructor finally approached and suggested that he consider removing his frock and fedora before trying again.
You can’t swim with coat …
Ekev: Habitude of Gratitude
Grace After Meals
If you have even a nominal Jewish education, from day school, summer camp or home, you know that Judaism is a habitude of gratitude. When we awaken, we share words of gratitude, before and after we eat, once again gratitude. Before we go to sleep, some more gratitude.
Yes, …
Vaetchanan: Pay Attention
Shema Yisrael
The best known verse in the Torah is the declaration of Jewish faith, Shema Yisrael, “hear O’ Israel, G-d is our Lord G-d is one.”[1] It is part of our liturgy and is recited four times a day. It is the verse with which countless Jews faced their death …
Sukkot: A Time for Unity
Alone In Our Thoughts
I sit at my desk late at night and reflect on the day that just passed. It was Yom Kippur today, a day filled with prayer, song, meditation and study. My mind turns to the last few moments of the holy day and I remember standing at …
Pekudei: To Serve Him
Silver Coins
This essay is about silver coins because we will reference it twice in this week’s Torah reading.
The first reference is in the ordinary Torah reading where an accounting is given for the contributions made to the tabernacle. The Torah informs us precisely how much silver was raised and what …
Tezaveh: Prayer
Hey You!
Have you noticed that Moses’ name is missing from this Torah portion? Whenever G-d speaks to Moses in this portion, He calls him, you, instead of Moses. I don’t know about you, but when someone tries to draw my attention by calling, hey you! I usually respond with, the …
Yisro: Prophecy and Torah
The Prophetic Chain
Do you believe in prophecy? G-d is infinite, we are infinitesimal. Does He really deign to talk us?
This was the big question that Jews faced when they approached Mount Sinai. They knew Moses was a man of G-d and believed that G-d listened to him, but they were …
Naso: The Priestly Blessings of Growth
Three Parts
A while back, someone in my congregation noticed that the Kohen, during the priestly blessings, repeated the cantor’s errors, when echoing his intonations. He inquired with the Kohen, who replied that he hadn’t noticed. He explained that when offering the blessing he tries to empty his mind and make …
