As I write these words, it isn’t yet quite August. But believe it or not, we’re on the runway to the Days of Awe.
Oy, what a week it’s been. (And when, in recent memory, have we reached Friday afternoon and not felt that way?)
I didn’t expect to spend Shavuot in the hospital recovering from a heart attack, but life is full of surprises.
https://rac.org/blog/take-action-stand-abortion-rights-following-leaked-dobbs-v-jwho-decisionMy heart keeps breaking at the news emerging from the Supreme Court.
We knew that the end of Roe was coming. It’s still a shock to the system, and portends a tremendous amount of suffering to come. Countless people will suffer and die because of today’s ruling, and we know that the consequences will be most dire for people of color and for those without the fiscal resources to travel to “safe” states where abortion is available.
This guest post is the D’var Torah that CBI member Ziva Larson offered at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, June 17, 2022.
The verdant beauty of Berkshire summer is upon us. The hills are spectacular in their new green cloaks. The pollinator garden at CBI is bright and blooming. During “no-mow May” I watched as wildflowers sprung up all over our lawn and butterflies danced from one to the next. Sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for everyone whose synagogue and environs aren’t as beautiful as ours are. We are in a really stunning place. It still sometimes takes my breath away.
I emerged from Shabbat to the news of the horrific shooting at a grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo. The shooter was motivated by racial hatred and by the so-called “great replacement theory” – the belief that Jews are orchestrating a “replacement” of white Americans with people of color. That same argument has motivated many shootings in houses of worship and elsewhere.
My son likes to say “We live in a society.” It’s our refrain. We need to be mindful of other people’s needs, because we live in a society. If a kid is being bullied, it’s good to stand up for them, because we live in a society. If a neighbor needs help carrying in the groceries, we offer to help, because we live in a society. We have obligations to each other, because we live in a society..
Reb Zalman z”l — Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, of blessed memory; a formative teacher for me before and during rabbinical school — used to say that revelation is like the radio. God is the Source of the broadcast, and that broadcast is always streaming into creation. And as for us? We’re radio receivers. We receive revelation on the levels to which we’re attuned.
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From the Rabbi – August 2022
Av, Days of Awe, From The Rabbi, Newsletter, Runway to the Days of Awe, Tisha B'AvAs I write these words, it isn’t yet quite August. But believe it or not, we’re on the runway to the Days of Awe.
As Shabbat Approaches
From The Rabbi, ShabbatOy, what a week it’s been. (And when, in recent memory, have we reached Friday afternoon and not felt that way?)
The Messenger We Need
Divrei Torah, From The RabbiJoin us for an extra-musical Kabbalat Shabbat
From The Rabbi, Music, ShabbatFrom the Rabbi – July 2022
From The Rabbi, Newsletter, Prayer, TammuzI didn’t expect to spend Shavuot in the hospital recovering from a heart attack, but life is full of surprises.
Land of Promise: Teachings from Shlach for Right Now
Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Jewish Values, Social Action, Tikkun OlamAfter Roe
Events, From The Rabbi, Jewish Values, Social ActionMy heart keeps breaking at the news emerging from the Supreme Court.
We knew that the end of Roe was coming. It’s still a shock to the system, and portends a tremendous amount of suffering to come. Countless people will suffer and die because of today’s ruling, and we know that the consequences will be most dire for people of color and for those without the fiscal resources to travel to “safe” states where abortion is available.
Guest Post: “Raise the Lamps”
Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Guest Posts, LGBTQ+ Rights, Social Action, Tikkun OlamThis guest post is the D’var Torah that CBI member Ziva Larson offered at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, June 17, 2022.
From the Rabbi – June 2022
From The Rabbi, Newsletter, SivanThe verdant beauty of Berkshire summer is upon us. The hills are spectacular in their new green cloaks. The pollinator garden at CBI is bright and blooming. During “no-mow May” I watched as wildflowers sprung up all over our lawn and butterflies danced from one to the next. Sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for everyone whose synagogue and environs aren’t as beautiful as ours are. We are in a really stunning place. It still sometimes takes my breath away.
After Uvalde
From The Rabbi, Response to TragedyPost-Buffalo
Community, From The Rabbi, Response to TragedyI emerged from Shabbat to the news of the horrific shooting at a grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo. The shooter was motivated by racial hatred and by the so-called “great replacement theory” – the belief that Jews are orchestrating a “replacement” of white Americans with people of color. That same argument has motivated many shootings in houses of worship and elsewhere.
We Live in a Society: Teachings from Kedoshim for Right Now
Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Tikkun OlamMy son likes to say “We live in a society.” It’s our refrain. We need to be mindful of other people’s needs, because we live in a society. If a kid is being bullied, it’s good to stand up for them, because we live in a society. If a neighbor needs help carrying in the groceries, we offer to help, because we live in a society. We have obligations to each other, because we live in a society..
From the Rabbi – May 2022
From The Rabbi, Iyar, Newsletter, ShavuotReb Zalman z”l — Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, of blessed memory; a formative teacher for me before and during rabbinical school — used to say that revelation is like the radio. God is the Source of the broadcast, and that broadcast is always streaming into creation. And as for us? We’re radio receivers. We receive revelation on the levels to which we’re attuned.
After (the) Death – Yizkor
Divrei Torah, YizkorTazria and What Community is For
Community, Divrei Torah