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The role of music in the healing of Gabrielle Giffords
Yesterday morning, in a weekly class on Jewish mysticism that I teach in the local community, we were concluding our study of the ten psalms that Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav selected for the practice of...
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Breaking news: Rumors spread of first woman rabbi to be ordained by Kabbalah...
Today saw the spreading of some enticing rumors regarding a soon-to-be-announced ordination program out of the newly-created Kabbalah Institute (KIRR – Kabbalah Institute for Reincarnated Rebbes). The...
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The blessing of lack
Kabbalah is an attempt to understand the brokenness of the universe.The other night, my chevruta (Study partner) and I were reading a section of a work by the Magid of Mezritch, in which he about what...
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Mysticism: the Experiential path to finding God
I’ve just started teaching a new course at my congregation on Jewish mysticism. There are many ways to engage with this sizable topic: we could focus on the intellectual history of mysticism from...
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Researching God
Theist? Atheist? Agnostic? Don’t answer until you’ve done some rigorous research. That’s right, research: with a method, literature review, experimental design, data collection, analysis, conclusions,...
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Ghosts, Spirits, and Jewish wanderings in the Afterlife
My colleagues Joshua Ratner and Alana Suskin have offered their perspectives on kids trick or treating, and generally engaging (or not) in this week’s Halloween rituals. Notwithstanding all that they...
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Rabbis Without Borders Hanukkah Gift Guide
Happy Hanukkah, Jewish learners and lovers of Jewish learners! If gift-giving is a part of your Hanukkah tradition, let our Rabbis Without Borders gift guide help you find the perfect gift. From books...
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Is it (Mentally) Healthy to Fall Apart?
Falling apart is a kind of strength. At least, that’s what I’m learning as I reflect this week on the meaning of “strength.” During the seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot, Jewish tradition invites...
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Does Interfaith Dialogue Work?
I ask this question often, in one form or another. And often, people answer with a cynical “No.” A business leader exclaimed: “How can groups of different religions dialogue, when denominations within...
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