The Soul of the Stranger
The commandment not to oppress the stranger can refer to war refugees, for whom the Torah demands intense compassion.
Coming Down to Earth
Instead of looking up to the heavens for holiness, what if instead we looked to the earth beneath our feet?
Tu Bishvat and the Repudiation of Cynicism
The Jewish new year for trees is the rare time where we celebrate potential — not product.
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall
In Jewish folklore, mirrors are typically treated as portals to the spirit realm.
Exodus: The Iron Cage of Power
A Hasidic teaching suggests that power, rather than bringing about liberation, achieves just the opposite.
Move Fast And Break Things
When we move too quickly or take big steps, we run the risk of losing our way.
Hanukkah and Shabbat
In lighting the candles of Hanukkah and then Shabbat, we move from the very old to the positively ancient.
Rededicating Darkness
Darkness is often seen as inherently negative, but Jewish texts offer a more complex understanding.
Who are the Real Jews?
Once Jews confront the mythic origins of our own past, it's much easier to be sensitive to the mythic origins of others.
Why I Don’t Pray
This God-intoxicated Jew doesn't find much meaning in most synagogues. Here's what I would find meaningful.
Enough To Go Around
Many families fall victim to the harmful idea that blessings amongst siblings operate in a zero-sum matrix.