There is an old saying that being a rabbi is not a good job for a nice Jewish boy because it means you have to work on the Shabbat. In fact when I was a congregational rabbi that is how I felt. Religion should never be a job or work….
Why Do I Care About Judaism?
Why do you care about Judaism so much? This is a question that I am asked often. But for me it is not just a theoretical question, it has huge implications in my life–here is why. Evergreen, Colorado, a mountain community west of Denver is where I have lived for…
Did God overule Pharaoh’s Free will?
On the issue of freedom and free will, the Bible tells us that we have a choice between life and good or death and evil. Although it is up to us, the Bible implores us to choose life and good and to reject death and evil (Deuteronomy, 30:15-19). But is…
Rabbis Desecrating God’s Name in London
Multiple women have accused an extremely prominent London Haredi rabbi, Chaim Halpern, of sexually abusing them during their marriage counseling sessions with him. A number of rabbinic judges in London had the courage to investigate the claims and subsequently found Halpern unfit to serve in any religious capacity. In response…
Crying for our children
My day has been entirely shattered. I don’t know what to do with myself. What happened in that classroom is too painful to contemplate. I don’t want to turn on the news in my car because what I hear is too devastating. Neither am I in the mood for music….
Chanukah: Wrong Decision, Right Outcome
This week Jews all over the world celebrate the Festival of Lights also known as Chanukah. This is one of the most celebrated of Jewish holidays and certainly one of the most famous. Yet Chanukah’s history is somewhat checkered. In fact it seems that there was a time when the…
Chanukah and Split Personalities
The message of Chanukah tells us that we should not compromise our inner persona, our core values and beliefs, for outer, material gains and to never offer up home and family life on the alter career and outer success We are multifaceted human beings and for most of us the…
Israelis can joke but for us it’s serious
Israel is yet again being threatened and is on the brink of war. Tragically there has already been substantial loss of life including the murder of an innocent woman seven months pregnant. Israeli tanks and troops are amassing on the border with Gaza and it seems like a full-scale invasion…
Faith is the Face of Hurricane Sandy
The Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, endorsed Barack Obama for President saying, ñOur climate is changingthis weekÍs devastationshould compel all elected leaders to take immediate action.î Bloomberg added that, ñOver the past four years, President Barack Obama has taken major steps to reduce our carbon consumption.î Thus, according…
Can a rabbi run for political office?
Recently a very high profile rabbi decided to run for congress in New Jersey. He is now gaining national attention with his political ads which show him running around district holding a suit on a hanger while deriding his opponent. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach who has previously labeled himself ‘America’s Rabbi…