Have you ever said, out loud, “I have no time to rest?” We think that resting is something to do, to do later, that resting is a waste of time, or a frivolous indulgence. And how about that frivolous indulgence thing? Hosting lovely dinners, trying new places – among many others – I mean, who […]
Eating inside a sukkah and at the Shabbat table – different or the same? Voices for different call out: the sukkah is outside! It’s shaky and flimsy and open to the cold or the rain! You can see the stars through the leafy roof, for heaven’s sake! The Shabbat table is lovely and cozy and […]
What do we do with ourselves during these ordinary-yet-distinctive days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Tradition offers a few liturgical hints: the recitation of Psalm 27, designated for the penitential season; the selihot/confessional prayers; a repeated word in the Mourner’s Kaddish (l’elah/higher); the insertion of “remember us for life” and other Days of Awe […]
Repetition, translation, meaning. Length! Obligation! Yearning! Hope. Renewal. Connection. We careen among these rubrics during these High and Holy Days. Particular passages may be both anticipated and dreaded. Two alphabetical acrostics take us through an aleph-bet of transgressions, the Ashamnu and Al Het prayers. This device may signal “what we already know of our daily […]
What does the Jewish New Year mean – for us at OrH, for our families, for our extended networks of kin and friends from diverse backgrounds? At its best and highest expression, the New Year can mean growth through introspection, celebration through renewal and Recommitment to core values. When we celebrate the last Shabbat of […]
Purim and Passover. Mardi Gras and Easter. Feasting and Fasting. Over-doing it and then planning on limits. Days on a mountain = 40; years in a desert = 40. Days of special preparation = 40. Special rituals. Sacred texts. Revered figures. Wild celebration followed by solemnity followed by celebration. Confusing? Naw. The deep meanings of […]
Master of the Universe, grant me the ability to be alone; May it be my custom to go outdoors each day Among the trees and grass – among all growing things So begins a beautiful text attributed to Reb Nahman of Breslav, and although it’s hard to imagine encountering trees and grass outdoors at this […]
What time is it – what Jewish time, that is? Why ask? Is it because once the big holidays are over, we wonder what we can meaningfully do in Jewish time? The rhythm of the year has shifted to its slow, cool groove, so – it’s time to revisit the basics: take a breath, say […]
Happy Rest-of-the-Year! The Tishrey/fall holy day cycle has come to a close, and now our first Jewish year together continues. It was a great and welcome beginning. I look forward to re-meeting many of you throughout the year – please be in touch anytime with thoughts, questions, ideas for learning, leading and growing Or Haneshamah. […]
A message from Rabbi Liz: This last full day of the season of teshuvah offers an opportunity to look back, look at ourselves, and look to the future, intently and intensely. It is also a time of celebration of community and continuity, and of tradition coupled with innovation. We allow ourselves to be open to […]
