God as Healer
This year, I have the pleasure of studying the Book of Exodus together with the lay-led Hebrew Bible study group at Temple Beth Or in Raleigh, North Carolina, where I serve as senior rabbi.
Real Angel Food
I love to sing. A large piece of what moves me in prayer is the music. There are times when I love to sit back and hear a beautiful piece of music; but most of the time in our synagogue, we try to inspire the congregation to sing with us. It isn't easy.
Perplexing Problems of Divine Power
Parashat B'shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) contains a startling mixture of themes and symbols: manifestations of God's power and miracles, God and Israel testing each other, complaints against Moses and Aaron, water, manna, and the staff of God.
Splitting the Sea . . . So What!
Who is like You, Almighty God, who split the Sea of Reeds for our people to cross . . .
Dolphin Skins?
"And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all the host of Pharaoh that went in after them into the sea; there remained not so much as one of them." (Exod. 14:28)
Sing, Dance, Celebrate
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her in dance with timbrels. And Miriam chanted for them, "Sing to Adonai…" (Exodus 15:20-21)
Crossing the Sea of Reeds was Easier than Crossing the "Sea of Peace"
As I started reading this week's portion, Parashat B'shalach, I could not believe its implication for what is currently happening in Israel.
A Place for God to Dwell
"Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts (t'rumah); you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved." (Exodus 25:2)