Welcome to my Temple Beth El Rabbi’s page! While here, I invite you to browse through as assortment of my recent sermons and writings (scroll down – you’ll see the links below this text box); you’ll find writings from other Rabbis of a timely nature; you’ll be able to take in some lessons on worship in the side bar on the lower right; and you’ll be able to read through some of my observations about life immediately below. Also, if you’d like to read about and see pictures from our recent congregational journey to Israel, you can click right here. Finally, if you have a thought you’d like to share, please drop me a line at rabbi@templebethelmadison.org.
For those who exchange email with me, they observe that my signature contains four cited aphorisms that are significant to my life and my profession. History may not accord each of those authorities the same level of recognition, but their words provide me a way of examining my actions, and of performing a heshbon hanefesh, an ‘accounting of my soul,’ each day that I am privileged to live on this planet:
In places where there is no humanity, strive to bring humanity there. (Hillel)
I define ‘bringing humanity’ as the act of allowing another person to believe that they are worthy of dignity, comfort, and personal growth. Life brings us many highs, and sometimes an even greater number of lows, and the most important thing that I can share with my congregants is that this synagogue community will be present with them no matter what they confront in life.
The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. (Dante)
The social justice work of our community, and the individuals within it, bring honor and dignity when we act for the benefit of all beings created in the image of God. Sometimes it is the case that we must act, and then consider, for that is the imperative of the moment.
Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome. (Samuel Johnson)
Being a Rabbi sometimes means not being ‘risk averse.’ Whether one is judging whether to take a stand against a popular issue, or whether during a counseling session one draws a painful conclusion for a congregant who presents unambiguously problematic behaviors, we are asked by tradition and the moment to take risks for the sake of bettering the human condition.
Pain is just weakness leaving the body. (Reggie Stewart)
This speaker served as one of the maintenance people with whom I have had the privilege of working, and it was his keen observation that growth does not happen without some pain.
SERMONS FROM THE RABBI'S DISK
Below are links to and descriptions of some of my past Temple Beth El sermons. I hope you enjoy reading them, and I would certainly enjoy having converstions about any of them. Just call me, or write to me at the email address you will find at the end of each sermon.
A Shabbat of War's Outbreak - July 14, 2006 As Israel is forced to fight for her survival Jews, Muslim, and Christians all pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Shabbat Shalom! In this space each week we highlight a particular blessing of tonight’s worship, its history and place in the service, and the distinctiveness that this particular selection brings to the service.
Tonight’s selection is L’chu N’ran’nah, Psalm 95, page 130, of Mishkan T’filah.
L’chu N’ran’nah is the psalm that traditionally commences the section of Friday evening worship that we call Kabbalat Shabbat, or the receiving of Shabbat. The six psalms that begin this pre-Ma’ariv portion of the service all speak about the grandeur of creation, and the praise that we owe God for providing us with a world of beauty and wonder.
This psalm was likely composed for the enthronement festival in which the ancient Israelites renewed authority in their earthly ruler. At this time of year (just before the fall harvest: this pagan holiday was later transformed into Rosh Hashahah), the King assumed the role of a god during a dramatic re-enactment of the creation story: Each year, the people saw the King defeat the mighty beasts of the deep and bring order out of chaos.
Our people adopted this psalm, and five others in our prayerbook that follow, to remind us of the six days of creation, during which God brought order out of the pandemonium that reigned before there was a world. And in this world are the glory and majesty of God’s creative acts on the land, in the sea, and in the heavens.
