Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we move toward Shabbat. The Jewish calendar has reached its lowest point this week. Before we come around the bend and head toward the High Holy Days, the calendar comes to a screeching halt. It is this time of year, when the heat and humidity drain […]

  Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection. The poet taught: Life is a journey. This idea is reflected in the detailed account of this week’s Torah portion as the Israelites draw closer to the land of Israel, They recount the places along the way from the Negev to the hills of Moab at the […]

  Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we move toward Shabbat. This week, many members of Boston’s interfaith community gathered for the rededication of the Holocaust Memorial. One of its panes had been shattered by a young man with mental health issues. I offered this blessing and I share it with you here: […]

  Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we move toward Shabbat. The Bible is full of leaders who spew fear and falsehoods. Pharaoh thought the Israelite slaves would rise up against him. Haman promoted suspicion about the Jewish people dispersed among the other peoples who were too different to tolerate. This week in […]