Our act of pouring a cup and opening the door to welcome Elijah each year [is] a test of our ability and desire to welcome others — to open our door, our hearts, even to people or experiences we may consider unpleasant or undesirable. [T]his moment in the seder is our chance to make sure our values actually translate into action: How wide do we open our doors, and the doors of our hearts? How ready do we feel to welcome a stranger to our table?
Read MoreImagine: after 400 years of slavery in Egypt, during which they have been unable to determine their comings and goings, or tell one day from another, our ancestors are now free, have the power to shape their schedule. Rashi imagines God helping out by pointing at the moon as it waxed, and saying to Moses: “when you see the moon in a stage of renewal similar to this…you may proclaim that a new month has begun.” This is a tender moment of transition when God helps our people regain agency by giving them control over their schedules.
Read MoreEspecially during times of great uncertainty, we may not buy into the mystic’s belief God’s hand is literally or metaphorically hidden in everything — so Mordechai’s question invites Esther — and by extension all of us -- to focus, not on the power of God’s presence, but on the power of human action! When faced with a challenge, do we, like Haman, fall into victimhood and cast blame? Or, like Esther, do we step up as the person we want to be, find an opportunity to be kind and do good?
Read MoreMuch like the vaccine, the Jewish calendar repeats, administers a dose of hope or freedom – and then, because everything fades with time, delivers a “booster dose” the next year: spiritual practice, liturgy, and sacred story that helps us integrate the experiences we had during the year. In this way, Yom Kippur is a “booster shot” for forgiveness, Sukkot a “booster shot” for gratitude, and Purim a “booster shot” for joy: Misheniknas Adar marbim b’simcha / "Whoever enters Adar," the sages declare, "increases in joy."
Read MoreIn the days ahead, when Amalek, that voice of doubt or cynicism, tries to overtake us, tells us the daily struggle is too much, let’s remember that Moses didn’t hold his hands up alone, no: a trusted companion was there on either side of him, supporting him. As we prepare to enter our own Promised Land at the end of this long wilderness journey, we need each other now more than ever.
Read MoreAfter Pharaoh lets the Israelites go, they gather to cross the Reed Sea. As they do, an erev rav, a “mixed multitude” gathers with them to travel to the Promised Land (Ex 12:38). According to the 11th century commentator, Ibn Ezra, this group includes Egyptians – some of whom, we imagine, had previously been loyal Pharaoh! How do our ancestors start anew after they leave Egypt, build a just, free, and civilized nation despite knowing some amongst them have previously pledged fealty to a tyrant?
Read MoreCalling their father by the name he got after wrestling an angel, they say, “Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad – Hear Israel, our father, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” Listen, dad, they say – we still believe we are connected to something greater than each of us, and through this connection, our sufferings and joys, your life and ours, are all bound together as one.
Read MoreThis week, Torah reminds us good years are followed by lean years, adversity by success, night by day. The Sefat Emet adds, in seasons of joy in our lives, we must savor what’s good, store it deep in the storehouses, of our bodies, hearts, and minds — so when we inevitably, confront loss or despair, we are able to reach in and pull out memories of joyful times, or lean on the relationships we’ve nurtured with friends and family for support.
Read MoreWhen confronted with life’s intrinsic uncertainties Jacob is not so generous. We all recognize ourselves in Jacob. Over the past almost 9 months, of pandemic and political turmoil, we’ve been starkly aware of all that is out of our control. We’ve had good reason to want to close down, every excuse not to be our best selves.
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