May You Live to 120
Have you heard of the 110 club? This exclusive club boasts no annual membership fee and has only one criterion— you remain alive. Violet Brown of Jamaica was the eldest member of this club until her death last month at the age of 117. Predeceased by her son, Harland Fairweather, who died last spring at […]
Never Doubt the Power of One
Kabbalah entreats us to look for origins, to journey back and discover the source—the seed that starts the flow which results in an outcome. When you square a number, it has an “exponential” effect (32 x32 =1024) but when you square the number one you return to the source—back to “square one” because 1×1 still […]
Colorful Vibrations
Kabbalah is a study of unseen reality and unseen potential. If we limit ourselves to experiencing the senses of the physical body we perceive only a fraction of the world that we can connect with, feel and know. Science has been an incredible tool to uncover what is beyond our normal senses. When early humans […]
Racist Uniformity
We learned that Nazi websites had posted a call to burn our synagogue. A frail, elderly woman approached me as I stood on the steps in front of our sanctuary, crying, to tell me that while she was Roman Catholic, she wanted to stay and watch over the synagogue with us. At one point, she […]
Beyond Reasonable Doubt
The differing standards of proof for criminal and civil cases is well known. While civil cases require a preponderance or balance of probabilities, criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. How though does “beyond reasonable doubt” translate? No doubt that reasonableness and doubt are in the eye of the beholder—or in our justice system […]
Damn Nation
Senator Bernie Sanders made headlines this week for challenging a statement made by cabinet nominee Russell Vought that “Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ, His Son, and they stand condemned.” There was a swift response denouncing Sanders’ supposition that this kind of […]
A Tough Act to Follow
It was the 66th commencement for graduates of Brandeis University, my younger son getting his Bachelor degree. Graduations can be rather tedious for graduates, family, and friends and then again you can be moved by a speaker. The commencement address at Brandeis was delivered by her honor, Canadian Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, […]
Final Week! Counting of the Omer: Week 7 Malchut – Realizing Change
Week 7 Malchut: Realizing Change The definition of Malchut is sovereignty and represents the final stage of the flow as reflected in manifestation or expression. It is the stage of coming into actualization. Our way of looking at the Sefirot flow has been the creation of a plan for change. Malchut then is actualizing our […]
Counting of the Omer: Week 6 Yesod – Truth or Distortion
Week 6 Yesod – Truth or Distortion Over the past two weeks, we have been challenged by obstacles that need to be overcome (Netzach) and surrendered to or at least suspended our notions of what the outcome of our plans need to be (Hod). Yesod is the foundation. Yesod is also defined as “truth” or […]
Off Color
In contemplating the theme for this summer’s film class, it was noticeable that there was a plethora of Academy Award nominated films whose stories focused on the lives of darker skinned people. From “Loving to Moonlight” to “Fences” to “Hidden Figures” to “Lion” (feature films) and “I Am Not Your Negro” (feature documentary). Then this […]