Al Hanism, 5784
On Hanukkah it’s traditional to add Al Hanisim, “About the Miracles,” to the Amidah and the Grace after Meals. How do we praise God’s miracles in…
Read articleThe Sound of Holiness
What do we hear when we listen to the shofar? The sound of holiness? But what does that mean? Perhaps only a poet can answer. This…
Read articleHallel in Peril
As we approach Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Monday evening and Tuesday, how can we recite Hallel — joyous psalms of praise — in fear for the State…
Read articleInside the (Hanukkah) Light
This meditation on light pluses with hope, carrying echoes of Hanukkah. It’s about seeing, feeling, and loving the light shining around us, and our yearning to…
Read articleCome, Beloved
A meditation on Shabbat, inspired by Lecha Dodi, Yedid Nefesh, and the Song of Songs. Join me in an exploration of Shabbat as the basis of…
Read articleWhy Do You Slumber?
This new Yom Kippur meditation is inspired by the two Haftorot we read on that day. In the morning, we hear Isaiah’s great call to justice…
Read articleCrossing
A prayer for Shabbat Beshalach in which we hear the Song of the Sea, sung after the just-freed Hebrew slaves, being pursued by armies, make it…
Read articleCoaxing Miracles
For the last night of Hanukkah, a meditation on small miracles. Coaxing Miracles Miracles Can start out as Tiny things. Specks of G-d’s love Floating all…
Read articleThe One about Kittens
Living in Jerusalem, I’m told, eventually every writer, sooner or later, writes about cats. I suppose the same thing could be said about Key West, with…
Read articleA Covid Yizkor Prayer
This is a new Yizkor prayer to be read on behalf of the entire community for those who perished due to Covid-19. The core paragraph is…
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