VAYEITZEI: Learning from Leah's Eyes

Finding great guidance in Shalom Hartman Institute מכון שלום הרטמן's "For Heaven's Sake" podcast, in the very alive and informed conversation between Donniel Hartman, Yossi Klein Halevi, and Elana Stein Hain. Grateful for these wise voices in shared conversation.

 

VAYEITZEI: Wherever you are, you're not alone

VAYEITZEI: Taking a Pause from Running

TOLDOT: Rebecca, a Profile in Courage

TOLDOT: Torah in memory of those lost at #ClubQ

TOLDOT: Torah in memory of those lost at #ClubQ #LoveIsLove #LGBTQ #ColoradoSprings #GunViolence

CHAYEI SARAH: Every Day is a Blessing #ChayeiSarah

Panel Discussion: Rabbi Menachem Creditor (UJA), Sheila Katz (NCJW), and Deborah Rosenbloom (JWI)

Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Pearl and Ira Meyer Scholar in Residence of UJA-Federation NY, moderates a conversation between Sheila Katz of the National Council of Jewish Women and Deborah Rosenbloom of Jewish Women International — a timely discussion on Women's Reproductive Freedom and the intersection of Gun Violence and Domestic Violence.

CHAYEI SARAH: A Love That Will Knock You Off Your Camel #ChayeiSarah

VAYERA: Honoring Our Veterans #VeteransDay

VAYERA: Torah in honor of my beloved father, Rabbi Gary Creditor

VAYERA: The Long Arc of History

as the ballots are counted #prayer

As the ballots are counted,

we ask You, Dear Lord,

hold us all.

Reach those who receive more votes

with Your Graceful Spirit.

Teach them humility.

Reach those who receive fewer votes

with Your Wisdom.

Teach them patience.

Remind us, Holy One,

that power is meant to be temporary 

and that, in the end,

loving our neighbors

is the only Policy that matters.

Amen.

- Rabbi Menachem Creditor, 11.8.2022

VAYERA: The Opposite of Voting is Sodom and Gemorah #ElectionDay

VaYera 2022

go where I show you

be a blessing, if you can

life is full of tests

look to the heavens

stars shine forever, after

you will too. trust Me.

beloved boy, my child

thank you, Holy One

I feel Your promise

laughter born anew

my second son. oh wife(s),

I can love them both

but God, You promised

like the sands, You said, like sand

slipping through my hands

but not Isaac too...

how could You... no words come...

just be a blessing...

he just walks with me

silent in the morning air

for three aching days 

until: father, fire

and devouring knife are there 

but where is the sheep

the knife in his hand

raised above his beating heart

never came to rest

- VaYera 2022, Rabbi Menachem Creditor 

VAYERA: Sodom & Gomorra vs The Binding of Isaac

Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat is this Shabbat! #VaYera

LECH LECHA: Keep the fire burning. Go.

Prayer for Gentle Peace

Prayer for Gentle Peace
Rabbi Menachem Creditor

I lift my eyes and glimpse a sliver of the expanse. 

What do You see, Holy One? Was Bildad correct?* Is force the only way to achieve peace? Is there a way forward other than dread?

I look to the rabbis, whose inspired Blessing for Peace* was also a textual revolution against Bildad. They saw Heavenly peace and invited it earthward. What might otherwise feel unfathomable except through brute force was reframed by those rabbis into a prayer for something gentler.

 
So, achy for peace, I follow my ancestors' example and gaze at the sky. It seems peaceful up there, especially when compared with the earth below. Especially today.

I look to Heaven and pray for peace to grace this fragile planet we share.

Amen.

 
________
Source texts (via Sefaria)

 

*עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

May the One Who makes peace in the Heavens make peace upon us and upon all Israel and let us say: Amen. (Siddur)

 

*הַמְשֵׁ֣ל וָפַ֣חַד עִמּ֑וֹ עֹשֶׂ֥ה שָׁ֝ל֗וֹם בִּמְרוֹמָֽיו׃

Dominion and dread are God's; God imposes peace in God's heights. (Job 25.2)

#prayer #peace

LECH LECHA: Faith in Dark Times #EttyHillesum #LechLecha #Torah #Wisdom

LECH LECHA: The world is beautiful. The world is fragile. Journey On.