The Challenge of Letting Go of Children
“Lech L’cha: Heartbreak and Hopefulness as Children Go Off and Move On,” is spoken-word poetry to dramatize the wide array of thoughts and feelings that occur to Abram's parents.
Sacrifice My Son? What Was I Thinking?
Did you ever wonder what Abraham thought about in the years following his “almost-sacrifice” of his son Isaac? In this midrashic monologue based on Parashat Vayeira, we imagine Abraham’s inner struggles:
Where Was Sarah During the Akeidah (the Binding of Isaac)?
In Parashat Chayei Sarah (the life of Sarah), we learn that our biblical matriarch Sarah lived 127 years, she died, and Abraham purchased her burial cave in Hebron (Gen. 23:1-20). Sadly, the only Torah portion named after a woman provides few hints about her life or final days.
Isaac Remembers When He Ended It with Abraham
In Parashat Tol’dot, Isaac is described as having “weak eyes,” which is considered a metaphor for his inability to see what his twin sons Jacob and Esau needed from him (Gen. 27:1). Why was he so poorly prepared to father his boys? In this midrashic monologue, Isaac gives us a clue as he reflects upon his relationship with his own father.
Advice from a Father-in-Law
There is, in Pirke Avot,1 the teaching of a rabbi named Ben Bag Bag. He said:
Hafoch bah, vahafoch bah, d'chola bah, "Turn it and turn it, over and over, for everything is in it."
Rules and Regulations
After the Revelation at Sinai, after the giving of the Ten Commandments, after the thunder and lightning and the mountain covered in a cloud of smoke—what could possibly come next? What could follow that spectacular event?
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 . . .