Study
Negotiating A Relationship With God
In constructing the Golden Calf, the Israelites attempted to create a mediated, safe relationship with an awesome and consuming God.
Tzedakah And Jewish Education
Our communal responsibility to ensure the immortality of the Jewish people depends on our commitment to supporting Jewish education.
The Role Of Ritual
In focusing on ritual laws, Parashat Terumah teaches us that by reliving heroic historic moments we can introduce the transcendent into our daily lives.
Aromatherapy: Jewish Style
The incense reminds us to unite our bodies and souls in our service of God and to imbue our lives with holiness, purity, compassion and hope.
Using Our Contributions To Create The Sacred
In order to help build sacred space, the act of giving must be accompanied by a heart that reaches out to others.
Give And Take
The fundraising campaign to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) teaches us that in true Tzedakah, the giver benefits as much as the taker.
A Sanctuary Within
The construction and sacrificial activities of the Sanctuary, which are now expressed in prayer, give us the opportunity to encounter the divine.
Under God’s Feet
How do we reconcile our desire to see God with God's statement that no one can see God and live?
Table For Two
Our tables, symbolic altars, become tools in our quest for sacredness when we share them with the poor and marginalized.
Spirituality Never Stops
The connections between building the Tabernacle and Yom Kippur reminds us that all aspects of our spirituality are connected.
And The Loveliest Of All Was The Unicorn
The many interpretations of the tachash remind us to look beyond surface appearances for spiritual intensity.
Critiquing Our Leadership
While it's easy to complain about poor leadership, Parashat Mishpatim challenges us to critique from a committed, engaged perspective.