Our stories ~ Our truths ~ Side by Side / Miriam, the Spies, and our very own Rashomon . . . Juxtaposition, reframing and 'the art of many understandings . . . .' What do the Spies of this week have in common with Miriam? Why are they so close -- "side by side"? And just what is "the … [Read more...]

Watching 'our words' -- when we feel, and can we heal Numbers 12:12 אַל־נָ֥א תְהִ֖י כַּמֵּ֑ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּצֵאתוֹ֙ מֵרֶ֣חֶם אִמּ֔וֹ וַיֵּאָכֵ֖ל חֲצִ֥י בְשָׂרֽוֹ׃ Please let her not be as if dead, emerge (ing) from its mother’s womb with half its flesh eaten away!” וַיִּצְעַ֣ק מֹשֶׁ֔ה … [Read more...]

G-d near? -- 'best beware' -- trouble 'a head' trouble behind Throughout the Bible, we are told to draw near to Gd -- and yet, we are also aware of the need to see danger (in this) closeness . . . . Gd is not easily managed nor manipulated. 'Drawing near' is danger, one we should be more … [Read more...]

At the very least, it's 'bound' to be interesting . . . ('im lo l'mala mizeh.') This Shabbat, in synagogues around the world, Jews will begin their study of the biblical Book of Numbers. The Book of Numbers contains some of the most important and consequential tales of Israel's journey through … [Read more...]

"Jews will not replace us" -- with them: from Ramses to Goshen and beyond . . . יב וְכַאֲשֶׁר יְעַנּוּ אֹתוֹ, כֵּן יִרְבֶּה וְכֵן יִפְרֹץ; וַיָּקֻצוּ, מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were … [Read more...]