Goodness and Plenty Our stories can inspire us. Here’s one from 2,000 years ago when Judaism faced a potential extinction-disaster in the wake of the destruction of Jerusalem. It can guide our steps today. A leading rabbi (Yohanan ben Zakkai) petitioned the Roman Ruler for three things: 1) relocating an academy for learning in Yavne (on
Israeli Muslims: “We are all Israeli and we know why we’re fighting” Many of the first-responders who were killed on October 7th, were Muslim Israelis. They too fought heroically and lost their lives. Watch the final 27 seconds or the full 1:47. Action item: We know a few Boston young adults who have returned to join the IDF and
Spiritual Care “Renew inside me, a spirit of purposeful direction” (Ps. 51:12). It’s important to rise each day, looking after our mental and physical well-being. To do our best to get through each day, and to stay out of harm’s way. Music helps. I’d love to see you tomorrow night with Yotam Polizar, CEO of
Digging Deep Abraham, to whom we are introduced in this week’s portion of Torah, dug wells. His son, Isaac, did so too. Digging deep is what this perilous hour calls for. I find the following words, written by Daniel Swartz, who grew up in Newton, attending Schechter and Maimonides, to be utterly compelling. “If there’s an
Timeless and Timely A timeless lesson that has never been more time-sensitive. Watch Yair Lapid’s speech from August 2014 at Platform 17 in Germany. Am Yisrael Chai. Rabbi William Hamilton
Three Sides Bari Weiss makes an essential point in this podcast (19 minute mark). There are really three sides in the current war against Hamas. Israel: whose moral obligation it is to defeat Hamas who slaughtered and burned our men, women, and children on October 7th. 2 Million residents of Gaza: who languish under Hamas’ tyranny, whose suffering we so
eDvar Shabbat Parashat Parashat Noah 5784 Talking Points Words hold weight. They matter. When a once respected news organization misreports verifiable facts, violence erupts and people are harmed. And yet, words can be overrated. Yes, they are significant. You’re reading them right now. But their overuse can empty-out their forcefulness. Consider rocket fire from Hamas and Hezbollah. Rockets have been