In Defense of Scapegoating – Part II
How we moved from sending a goat off into the wilderness to blaming others
Weekly Parsha
What Does “Purity” Mean?
Back in rabbinical school (now over fifteen years ago), I had to spend one summer as a hospital chaplain to … Continue Reading
Clawing for Legitimacy
We fight for attention. We fight for resources. But perhaps we fight most over our own sense of legitimacy – that we belong, deserve a good … Continue Reading
“Nefesh” and Spiritual Materialism
When we talk about the word “soul,” we usually think about something immaterial, ethereal, and divine. But that framing is … Continue Reading
Building Sacred Community – Parashat Vayakhel Pekudai
Building the Mishkan as an example of building community
Skill, Wisdom, and Heart
How do we gain in skill? For that matter, what is a skill? Many assume that it is an ability … Continue Reading
Who Cares About Jethro’s Faith?
Exodus 18 begins with a verse that for years has stopped me in my tracks: “Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses’ … Continue Reading