From Odyssey Networks’ Faith on the Record series: Everyone’s been looking back at the “biggest” news headlines of 2015, but let’s reflect for a moment on how religion played a role in world events this year. For me, three stories come to mind: a) ISIS and radical Islamic terrorists, b) the influential Pope Francis and c) the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision. Together, all three topics inspire me to consider a larger question, “How will we work out the balance between faith and freedom?” Watch my video for more insight and......
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At this time of year, what is the importance of the sukkah? The temporary shelter stands with a roof made of branches that do not provide a full cover. If it rains, the inside is made unusable and a very strong wind may knock it down. And yet we plan the weeklong autumnal holiday of Sukkot to be spent eating (and in some places, sleeping) under it. The sukkah is also called tzila mehemnuta, or shadow of faith, not just because one has faith that the weather will oblige, but because the......
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On The Wisdom Daily this week (Sept. 21-25), we discussed the beauty of saying “I don’t know,” the difficulty we feel in forgiving ourselves, the vivid moments that your memory holds onto, the problem-solving perspectives that fuel innovation and more. Did you grow wiser this week? We hope The Wisdom Daily played a part. The Courage to Be Vulnerable – Adam Lavitt Imagine a world where instead of saying, “I’m right and you’re wrong!” people say, “I don’t know.” Imagine a world where we have the courage to pursue dreams and......
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From Odyssey Networks’ Faith on the Record series: Millions of Americans have been responding with adoration to Pope Francis on his high-profile visit to this country. The Pope’s knack for blending the pastoral with the political is why I consider him a genius and one of my spiritual teachers, even though I’m not Catholic. “We can all learn from his approach…Have your faith fully engaged but remember dignity to be found among those we disagree with most.” Watch my video for more insight and discussion. Odyssey Networks tells the......
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On The Wisdom Daily this week (Sept. 7 -11), we explored a common quandry for clergy, an NFL coach putting a priority on holistic wellness, the Pope’s merciful approach to marital mistakes, three core ideas bringing people together on Rosh Hashanah, the future of traditional religions… and more. Did you grow wiser this week? We hope The Wisdom Daily played a part. When Should Clergy Weigh In on Politics? – Michael Bernstein Stay away from politics, Rabbi. Many of my colleagues receive – and some give – this advice. There’s a......
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Spirituality & Faith, Wisdom Warehouse |
September 08, 2015
A Pope, a Rabbi, Mercy and Rosh Hashanah
I know my headline sounds like an old Borscht Belt routine. My post today is anything but. It’s simply a brief expression of gratitude to a great spiritual teacher for a new policy that not only speeds and eases the annulment process for Catholics, but reminds me of a core teaching in my own tradition about the meaning of mercy – one that’s central to the High Holiday season in which we find ourselves. Pope Francis declared that this “Year of Mercy” would be marked by many efforts to live the teaching......
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On The Wisdom Daily this week (March 30-April 3), we discussed the start of Passover and the discussion of freedom that surrounds this time. We were struck by a friend’s birthday celebration and the art of giving and receiving. And, we reflected on the Pope’s Holy Week address and the debate around Indiana’s new Religious Freedom law. Did you grow wiser this week? We hope The Wisdom Daily played a part. Is Focusing on Martyrdom Really the Way To Go? – Brad Hirschfield Palm Sunday opened Holy Week on Sunday, as......
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Spirituality & Faith, Wisdom Warehouse |
March 30, 2015
Is Focusing on Martyrdom Really the Way to Go?
Palm Sunday opened Holy Week on Sunday, as did heavy duty pre-Passover preparation for many of us, as Easter Sunday and the second day of Passover coincide this year, but more on that in another post. For now I want to focus on Pope Francis’ Palm Sunday address — specifically his tribute to contemporary Christian martyrs. “We think too of the humiliation endured by all those who, for their lives of fidelity to the Gospel, encounter discrimination and pay a personal price,” Pope Francis said, speaking in Italian. “We think too of......
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Pope Francis has engaged and inspired millions of non-Catholics, former Catholics and alienated Catholics since assuming his position as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He’s both a spiritual master and global celebrity; that means the world is now filled with “FOP”s – Fans Of the Pope. However, some of them may be reconsidering their views now, though I’m not sure that that’s fair. Pope Francis has spoken out about the idea that choosing to die when confronted by a terminal illness is “a sin against God”, and that supporting terminal cancer......
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Excerpted from a Forbes.com article by Craig Hatkoff and TWD co-founder Irwin Kula: Every CEO is an evangelizer. So those struggling with how to deal with the pressures of disruption would do well to closely follow Pope Francis. His first bit of sage advice for every CEO is: “An evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a?funeral!” Recently, Pope Francis received two awards at the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards (TDIA). He was honored?in absentia?with the?Adam Smith Prize, presented by the?Harvard Business Review?and with our Book of the......
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