Hallel in Peril
On Rosh Chodesh Elul, how can we recite Hallel — joyous psalms of praise — in fear for the State of Israel? The proposed and enacted…
Read articleHallel in a Minor Key
This Hallel is for singing praises in times of struggle or sorrow. “Hallel in a Minor Key” is the name of both the liturgy and the…
Read articleBefore Writing a Prayer
Here’s a prayer to be said before writing a prayer. The intention of the prayer is to achieve the kavanah, the spiritual mindset, necessary to serve…
Read articleReceiving Blessings
This prayer is my blessing for you for 2019. It’s about opening our hearts to receiving blessings. In this New Year, may we bless each other…
Read articleHowling at the Moon
This meditation was inspired by a writing workshop I conducted for teens. One youth asked if howling at the moon could be a prayer. We went outside…
Read articleFalling in Love with Prayer
What is prayer? Perhaps an invitation to holiness and healing, bending the light from heaven toward tikkun olam. Have you ever fallen in love with a…
Read articleIn Gratitude for Your Gifts
This prayer of gratitude is one of my few attempts at an English alphabetic acrostic. Here, the acrostic is in second word of the first two…
Read articleKi Tavo: Be the Blessing
This week’s parasha, Ki Tavo, lists blessings and curses. “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you harken to the voice of…
Read articleNaso 5775: Place Your Name upon Us
This week’s parasha includes the Priestly Blessing, three lines of remarkable beauty and power. The line immediately after – a line that gets precious little attention…
Read articleBeshalach: Miriam’s Word
Imagine what happens the moment after Miriam and the women finish their dance. Elated and exhausted from celebration, her people having crossed the sea into safety…
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