Sometimes it would seem that the focus within American Judaism is on impressive edifices, building funds, synagogue attendance, and business protocols – and why not? These values merely mirror those of our everyday lives. Sadly, Judaism appears to have forgotten…
Author: Rabbi Paul
Vayetze – The Holy Power of Imagination
We all have the power to imagine. We are endowed by our Creator to also be creative! From the Holy Creative One comes every leaf, every tree, every raindrop and every tear. Through this legacy of creativity we have the…
B’reishit – Facing Our Other Side, East of Eden
As we begin to explore this story of humankind outside the Garden of Eden, we like Cain should be uncomfortable with our first encounter being fratricide. Yet if we are honest with ourselves, we need to admit that we walk…
Sukkot – Finding Shelter in a Transient World
Sukkot recalls that freedom came as the result of pitching tents over 14,600 days and honors the 43,000 meals prepared in the dessert. But more importantly Sukkot reminds us that God is everywhere and undermines the idolatry of rootedness. This…
Everybody Needs a Hero
Everybody needs a hero although often we don’t get the one we expect. Today’s Torah portion describes the heroic actions of Aaron, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Like most true heroes, he had to rise to an occasion greater than…
Imperfect Instruments
The Rosh Hashanah halacha teaches that a shofar which develops a hole, or a flaw remains fully kosher, even if the hole alters its sound. Because all sounds are valid for a shofar. I find this fascinating. Somehow, I sensed there was…
Ki Teitze – Making Sense of the “Texts of Terror”
If we are to be perfectly honest, much of the law codes reorganized and restated in the book of Devarim seem oddly archaic, highly impractical, and at times, even disturbingly unethical! This week’s parashah, Ki Teitze is chocked full of…
The Fourth Word: Contemplating the Final Dibberot of Yeshua
For millennia, the historical church has read and studied the “last words” of Yeshua’s crucifixion during lent and in preparation for the Easter Holy week. But I think this tradition has a very special and unique value for Messianic Jews…
Eikev – Imitate God, Serve Others
There is a biblical mandate to treat all people with equal respect. “Do nothing out of selfishness or conceit, but with humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3) But is this how most of us conduct ourselves?…
Matot – A Place of Refuge
This week’s Torah portion contains a theme that in the ancient world was peculiar to the religion of Israel – the compassion, care and grace of their patron God. A historically popular approach to theology is to bifurcate of the…