For the Children of Newtown
There are no words. Yet we need them. Words of consolation. Words of prayer.
A Reflection on Psalm 23
The most famous verse in the most famous Psalm offers insight and counsel that is tragically timely. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me."
A Time of Anxiety
Eternal God, You abide though all things change. We are anxious and fearful, and we turn our hearts to You, looking to You and leaning on Your strength.
When Burdens Are Too Heavy
We come to You, O God, for your gracious help. You dwell within our heart, You feel our distress, You know our pain, and how burdened we are. Give us strength to bear our burdens with courage, wisdom, and grace.
To Be Read With A Person Who Has Suffered
You are in need of healing.
You seek comfort in your distress.
You would wash yourself clean of the memory of pain, of anger of fear.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Tzav: How to Be a Leader
Parashat Tzav opens with a command to Aaron, the high priest. It’s a moment to think about leadership – who are our leaders and what do they do? Are our leaders born into the role, like Aaron, or are they called to leadership, like Moses?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Pesach: Why is This Passover Different from Other Passovers?
In this special Passover episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses empathy. The story of Passover asks that we put ourselves in the shoes of those who escaped slavery and travelled to freedom, and that we think about what it’s like to have nothing.