I am so excited. One of the absolute highlights of my blogging year is coming up. It's almost time for #BlogElul! Every year, my friend Rabbi Phyllis Sommer sets up a schedule for blogging, tweeting and Instagramming (is that a verb?) about the Jewish month of Elul. Elul is the final month of the Jewish … Continue reading Preparing for #BlogElul!
Tag: blog
My Interview with Ariel Gordon is Up!
I am ridiculously excited. My interview with the poet Ariel Gordon is up on the Fruit Share blog. Everybody enjoy and feel free to share!!!
Talking About Identity
Last June, my amazing friends Kaila Prins and Ito Aghayere interviewed me on their podcast, Finding Our Hunger. This was in the early days of the podcast, which has gone on to include luminaries such as Jimmy Moore, Liz Wolfe, Stefani Ruper, Dietitian Cassie, Abel James and others. Kaila and Ito have been guests hosts … Continue reading Talking About Identity
#BlogElul 10 – See
It is a truism in everyday life that "seeing is believing". It is a deep reason for the creation of idols and icons, as people have done since time immemorial. But Judaism is completely opposed to it, as is its younger cousin, Islam. Everyone has heard of the Second Commandment: ื ืึนื-ืชึทืขึฒืฉึถืื ืึฐืึธ ืคึถืกึถื, ืึฐืึธื-ืชึฐึผืืึผื ึธื, … Continue reading #BlogElul 10 – See
#BlogElul 7 – Be
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, whisper words of wisdom, let it be ... Now, of course, everyone is laughing at me, for quoting the great Rabbi McCartney. But don't forget what the Mishna says: Ben (the son of) Zoma said: Who is wise? He who learns from … Continue reading #BlogElul 7 – Be
#BlogElul 6 – Do
Oooh, a tricky one, Rabbi Sommer! Now we need to figure out the difference between "Act" and "Do"! I'm sure there is one ... here we go! So what does it mean to "do Jewish"? To many people, it has come down to the cultural trappings - the food of their grandparents, the tunes and … Continue reading #BlogElul 6 – Do
A Note to All My Readers
Yes, my blog is currently drowning in #BlogElul posts. This is going to carry on for a few weeks yet. So you are probably thinking, why would I still want to read this blog if I'm not interested in Judaism? The short answer is, it's not just about Judaism. For example, in the post titled … Continue reading A Note to All My Readers
#BlogElul 5 – Know
The psychologist Carl Jung, when asked whether he believed in G-d, famously responded "I don't believe, I know."ย While Jung later said that he regretted this unadorned answer for the misunderstandings to which it must inevitably lead, I really like it. And not in a woo-woo kind of mystical way, but in a very practical fashion. … Continue reading #BlogElul 5 – Know
#BlogElul 4 – Accept
Day 4 of Elul is Shabbat. First of all, let me assure you that this post was written and scheduled well beforehand. I do not use the computer on Shabbat. This is a restriction that I gladly accept. We live in a time of abundance and addiction. I am quite severely addicted to that seductive … Continue reading #BlogElul 4 – Accept
#BlogElul 3 – Bless
The third day of Elul is a Friday, the day we prepare for the blessing of Shabbat. In the evening we will bless the candles, the wine and the bread, and sink into the restfulness of the temporary cessation of all preparation. During the High Holy Days themselves, blessings abound. The special prayer book we … Continue reading #BlogElul 3 – Bless