New Year: Change & Transformation
The Hebrew word Shanah, as in Rosh Hashanah, is translated as Year (Rosh is Hebrew for Head—hence—the Head of the Year, New Year). The meaning of Shanah though, as a Hebrew root, is “change”—and the Hebrew letter Shin with which the word begins connotes transformation. Shin in Kabbalstic teachings also reflects our capacity for creativity—a […]
Receive and You Shall Give
Do you recognize this man? I was just turning five years old when Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom debuted on television. Marlin Perkins was the host and he quickly became one of my grandfathers. A question I had, but was embarrassed to ask my parents was: What is Mutual of Omaha? I understood why the […]
The Possibilites of Change
Suspecting that change is coming, how do you prepare for it? Tighten your muscles, squeeze your eyes shut, hold your breath? Welcome it with a pulse of excitement? Laugh with pleasure at the unexpected twist of a punchline?
Constant Connections
By the time you read this blog I will have a new hip. It is made of ceramic. When it comes to hip replacements you could say the hip (ceramic) bone is connected to the earth. From earth we are created and unto the earth we will return. The body can only go so far […]
Rectify our Hearing
The current Hebrew month of Av has as its spiritual sense the sense of hearing (all months are endowed with a special spiritual sense according to Sefer Yetzirah). Generally, Av is seen as a month of mourning because many tragedies befell the Jewish people. The origin of the ‘curse’ of this month is faulty hearing. […]
Reincarnation Double Take
“I, the victim of Auschwitz, figured out that I had the power to forgive,” Mrs. Kor said. “No one could give it to me and no one could take it away. I, the little guinea pig, had the power to forgive the God of Auschwitz. I immediately felt the pain lift from my shoulders. Finally […]
From Tzfat to Denver
May we continue to grow and fulfill the teachings of the ARI in lifting the sparks of holiness in the world. We will do it though in an egalitarian way in which each individual, no matter what their background learns to be a part of the tikkun (rectification) as promoted by the spiritual insights of the Kabbalah.
A Difference of Opinion
There may be ideas or beliefs worth dying for but there are none that I can imagine worth murdering for.
Funereal Inspirations
Yesterday was the start of a Jewish period of mourning that lasts for 3 weeks—it starts with a fast (the Fast of Tammuz 17) and ends with a fast (the Fast of Av 9). I went to the funeral of Michael Nowak, husband of our student Nancy to be with her and to honor Michael. […]
Receding Water
it is with the flood of anger. Waiting a few moments—coming back to calmness and breath. It is but a few moments—that allow us to pass by with ease or sputter, cause damage and drain our engines in the process.