Tehora He: An Exercise in Purity

The following is a meditative exercise designed to enhance one’s sense of purity. It can also be used to better relate to those around us, and to understand our interconnectedness as children of Hashem. Sit with your eyes closed, imagining that you have X-ray vision and can see inside yourself as if you were composed ofContinue reading “Tehora He: An Exercise in Purity”

To Merge or Not to Merge?

There has been much talk lately about how the current pandemic is going to affect the Jewish denominational system in both the U.S. and abroad. Most of us have been unable to visit with our communities for months, unions have had to lay off workers, and synagogues have had to make concessions on longstanding issuesContinue reading “To Merge or Not to Merge?”

Staying Busy in a Time of Isolation

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, many of us throughout the world are under quarantine or self-imposed isolation. Most shuls have been closed, and even private minyans have become inadvisable. Needless to say, we’re all going to be spending a lot more time alone. This can be a difficult thing for those who thriveContinue reading “Staying Busy in a Time of Isolation”

Don’t be a Pharisee! Or maybe you should…

(Actually, you can’t be, because they’re extinct) Ever been called a “pharisee”? Even know what one is (or was, as is the case)? For the next few weeks we’ll be covering the history, society, and philosophy of the three major Jewish sects during the Second Temple Period: The Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes. Not only didContinue reading “Don’t be a Pharisee! Or maybe you should…”