Words matter. Uniquely, the Torah describes God wielding words to create: “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1: 3). Words may also tear the fabric of relationship. creating distrust. In the Torah, the misuse of words prompts a public shaming by a hideous scaling of skin. M’tzora, the title of our Torah reading,…
Free, free at last and yet, not done. Erich Fromm, the great psychologist, stated that freedom is composed of two elements: freedom from (bondage) and freedom to (define ourselves). We define ourselves, he emphasized, by our commitments. We count the days from the second night of Passover for seven weeks (Leviticus 23:15-16). The count down…
CAMP B’NAI RUACH CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF PROVIDING CHILDREN A FUN, SAFE AND JEWISH SUMMER EXPERIENCE This summer will mark the 20th anniversary of Congregation B’nai Israel’s summer day camp, Camp B’nai Ruach. Located in Tustin, California, Camp B’nai Ruach provides children grades K – 9 a summer experience filled with exciting activities, programs and…
Matzah in Context On the night before departure from Egypt, the Israelites ate the delicacy of roasted lamb with matzah and bitter herbs, maror (Exodus 12:8). The latter two foods reminded the slaves why they wanted to leave. For matzah was lechem oni, bread of poverty [Haggadah]. When the Israelites rushed toward freedom the next morning, they placed…
Guess who’s coming to dinner I used to drive a big, blue Cadillac. Sometimes, I would hitch. Now, I have a sleek, silver Tesla. Sometimes, I ride a rusted bicycle. In the time of the Romans, when the fastest vehicle was an iron chariot pulled by a pair of muscular stallions, I would often sit…