Mindful Torah...and more

The early 20th century Jewish existentialist philosopher Franz Rosenzweig believed that the knowledge of our mortality is the ultimate negative force in our lives.  The fact that we know we shall eventually die hangs over us like a cloud, if we let it.  However, it is love that is the ultimate positive force in our lives.  It is the existence of love that allows, and even compels, us to live life in spite of the knowledge of our mortality. Hopefully, most of us don't spend our lives constantly thinking about our ultimate end.  Rather, Rosenzweig believed that the ultimate goal is to live a life dedicated to the love of God.  This goal is achieved, in good part, by loving our fellow human beings.  In loving,  we are able to find goodness and hope.  I agree with Rosenzweig in the power of love to create meaning in our lives in spite of the knowledge that we will die.  However, it is also true that we all eventually begin to f...

This week's parashah /portion is Korach ( Bemidbar / Numbers 16:1-18:32).It begins with the rebellion against the leadership of Moses led by Korach, Dathan, and Aviram. These three tribal leaders question the authority of Moses and end up being swallowed by the earth. The parashah then ends with a reminder that the first born of every human being and animal is meant to be dedicated to God. However, the first born [male] of each human being is instead to be redeemed by the priests and replaced by the Levites, who are to serve in the Mishkan /Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Furthermore, the first born of impure (unfit) animals are also to be redeemed, but the first born of cattle, sheep and goats are not to be redeemed, for they are to be dedicated to God through ritual sacrifice. Surprisingly, there is a connection between these two parts of the parashah. This common thread is the concept of "opening." In the rebellion narrative the earth 'opens up...

The name of this past week's parashah /portion, as well as the fourth book of the Torah, which began with this reading, is Be'midbar ( Be’midbar /Numbers 1:1 - 4:20) .  The name means "in the wilderness" and it can be found in the book of . One ancient rabbinic commentary points out that if we change one vowel in the name of the parasha , the word במדבר be’midbar , in the wilderness, it then becomes be'midabe י r , with one who is speaking. This is somewhat ironic, as the wilderness is usually associated with silence and solitude. However, we can imagine that the wilderness of Sinai and its surroundings must have been anything but silent, with the multitude of Israelites and others wandering through it for 40 years. Yet, we all know that even in the midst of a chaos and cacophony one can experience silence.  It is just as true that one can experience unceasing noise in one's mind and soul while walking seemingly in solitude and silence. What determi...

Today Pennsylvania, the state in which I now live and in which I was born and raised, made same-sex marriage legal.   I am thrilled beyond words about this, even though I realize it is only one important issue facing the LGBT community (bullying and teen homelessness is at the top of the list, in my opinion) it is still an important victory.   I am not thrilled because same sex relationships need to be recognized or validated by the straight community or the state.   We already know that these relationships are real and valid.  However, having state recognition allows same-sex couples to become legally married and receive the numerous benefits afforded straight married couples by the state. The most important one is probably spousal rights in the hospital, etc. Though marriage is only one model of relationship, it is the only one that needs state recognition (even though I think it should be a spiritual/religious ritual and not a state one.  B...