2015 | Geeky Rabbi

Chinese Food & a Movie: Jews & Christmas

When I turned 14, I was excited to get my first job at Publix. I bagged groceries until just after my 18th birthday.

For the most part, I enjoyed interacting with people on the short walk to their cars. But around mid-December, I’d be filled with anxiety during my chats with customers. They’d ask about holiday plans, and then talk about their holiday plans. So far, so good. But then they’d say two words. And despite the dozens of interactions that ended with these two words, I never knew how I should respond.

Dec 25, 2015

Judaism and Religion

In a Place Where There is No Man, Become One (Noah)

I’m guessing that many of you are familiar with Ghandi’s exhortation to “be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

I don’t know if Ghandi was a Talmudic scholar, but it does not come as a surprise to me that a similar teaching is in our Jewish texts. Pirke Avot* (2:5) reads: “In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.”

Oct 16, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Three Lessons of Sukkot

1) We shake the lulav and etrog in all directions when we enter the sukkah. As a Hebrew school student, I learned that this is because God is in all directions, and God’s blessings are everywhere. We can feel God’s blessing in every area of our lives. This is true, and a great lesson. But I like to think that another reason we shake the four species in every direction is to remind us that each of *us* can radiate blessing and goodness in every area of our lives. We don’t have to wait for God to give it to us. We can give it to the world.

Oct 2, 2015

Judaism and Religion

We are the Ever-Dying People (5776)

Five Jews are sitting on a park bench.
“Oy,” says the first.
“Oy vey,” says the second.
“Oy vey iz mir,” says the third.
“Oy gevalt,” says the fourth.
The fifth says, “Can we just this once stop talking about the Iran deal?”

Sep 23, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Kol Nidrei is NOT About Promises (5776)

Kol Nidrei.

Tonight’s service is named for this prayer that we heard toward the beginning of our service. Kol Nidrei is so powerful, so important, so meaningful – that we stand during its threefold recitation. In fact, it is only during the singing of Kol Nidrei that we take all of our Torahs scrolls out of the ark and stand before their holy words, messages and inspirations. You may not know the name of Moses’ wife, you may not know the difference between the Mishna and the Talmud, but I bet that you can hum the beginning of the haunting melody of Kol Nidrei.

Sep 22, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Sometimes, Being Perfect is not Good Enough (5776)

I’ve always wanted to be on Jeopardy.

I love everything about it – its competitive spirit, the display of lightning like intellectual and physical reflexes that recall all matters of intellectual ephemera, and the sometimes witty banter between contestants and Alex Trebek.

Several friends of mine have applied to be contestants. One, a reform rabbi in New York City, even made it on earlier this year. I’ve learned that if you completely ace the tryout questions, you will most likely not be asked to continue to the next steps of the tryout process. In other words, if you are perfect, you’re not good enough.

Sep 14, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Rosh Hashanah is not a Period at the end of the Year; It’s a Semi-colon (5776)

High School. First kiss. Graduation. College. First job. Marriage. Yesteryear. The good ole days.

Nostalgia is a booming business.

In recent years, social media has popularized what has come to be known as ‘tbt’ – throwback Thursday. On Thursdays, it takes one quick glance on Facebook to see pictures of friends with that crazy hair from high school, or a gorgeous wedding portrait from over 40 years ago. We use our present technologies to go back to the past. Apps, services and Web sites try and tap into our yearnings for yesterday.

There’s a bad joke incoming, but nostalgia is just not what it used to be.

Sep 13, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Deuteronomy is Revisionist History

On this Shabbat, we begin the 5th book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. The name of the book derives from two sources, one Hebrew and one…

Jul 24, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Rick Santorum, the Pope, and the Menorah (B’haalot’cha)

Earlier this week, presidential hopeful Rick Santorum criticized Pope Francis for getting involved in scientific matters. In the past year, the Pope has urged his…

Jun 5, 2015

Judaism and Religion

Strange Fire, Tragic Fire (Sh’mini)

One month ago, a family in Brooklyn started to celebrate Shabbat. Gabriel Sassoon, father of eight children, was at a Jewish conference away from home….

Apr 10, 2015