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, […]
Prayer
Oseh Shalom
Oseh Shalom is probably Judaism’s most well-known prayer for peace. “May the One who makes peace up above make peace among us, among Israel, and among all humanity.” One reading of the prayer might suggest that Oseh Shalom is saying that true peace can only come from God. While there may be some deep […]
Adonai S’fatai Tiftach
Psalm 51:15 reads, “Adonai, s’fatai tiftach, u’fi yagid t’hilatecha.” God, open my lips, and my mouth will speak your praise. Many Jews know these words because they are recited at the beginning of the Amidah, one of the centerpieces of Jewish prayer. They act as a kind of gateway that the worshipper passes through […]
A Meditation for the Airport Traveler
may I arrive at my destination in wholeness and in peace may my fellow travelers, those I know and those I don’t, those who choose to travel and those who must, arrive at their destinations in wholeness and in peace may those that fly the planes, care for the planes, and care for all these […]
A Blessing for Grandparents Day
Dear God, Source of life, source of blessing, source of miracles. We thank you for granting us the ability to witness and experience miracles. The miracles of love and family, of children and grandchildren, of a chain of tradition that extends across the generations. The miracles of growth and transformation, Of learning and discovery, of […]
Then and now
today I found myself praying in the chapel that I prayed in as a rabbinical student. Sitting among the rabbinical students and professors I found myself overcome with emotion i thought about their voices and the voices that filled this same space in the years when I was a rabbinical student I thought about my […]