The Rabbi and I

We have all seen our attention span’s shrinking. Attention is a learned behavior. Now is the time to learn to increase our attention span.

Baruch HaShem, thank God that Pope Francis understands and supports the true meaning of the sacraments. At a time when people distort religion for political gain it is good to know that the Churches authority on earth is standing up to religious corruption.

Saying that something is forbidden does not work the way we think it does. Stopping antisocial and dangerous behavior requires more than just a ban.

Social media is the primal stew for conspiracy theories.

Helping families resolve their objections to an interfaith wedding. Marrying outside one’s faith naturally creates anxiety among family members. Listen to ways to reduce anxiety and accept the choices of the wedding couple.

In Numbers 12:1-16 God makes it clear that He had no objection to Moses marrying a black non Hebrew woman, Zipporah. Moses sister, Miriam, criticizes her brother for marrying the Cushite daughter of a Midianite priest and is struck with Leprosy.

Human beings crave novelty. Is the new and exciting programmed into us? Or is it just that advertising makes us think that we crave new experiences and new stuff?

The Talmud teaches that there are times when you are required to lie. Wait a minute, isn’t telling the truth a commandment? Come and listen to when you must lie!

Religion has been as destructive as it has been helpful. The reason lies not in religious teachings but in what people have done in the name of religion.

Is creativity always the result of personal tragedy? It appears that creativity comes from a tragic life. However not everyone who has a tragic life is creative. What is going on?

Protecting our Constitutional right to bear arms while protecting our citizens from harm. It is time to stop arguing either everyone can be armed or no one can have a gun. Both extremes are unrealistic and unacceptable.

Since we can’t really conceive of our own death, is death something we should fear? We know that we will die some day. Why waste time fearing the inevitable.

Two years of the Covid pandemic taught us many things, but did we learn anything? Have we transferred what we learned into action? Did we miss a great opportunity to make life better?

Judaism teaches that community worship is important and not as important as home observances. The home is where we unite with God on a daily basis.

How do I know if my prayers are answered?

Who doesn’t like a good miracle, I know I do.

Food and memories are are tied together. Can't you taste the Christmas ham or the Chanukah latkes? Let's enjoy holiday foods together.

History has taught us that forcing citizens to practice the same religion does not have a good outcome. You can only freely practice your religion if I am free to practice mine.

Can't you taste Passover foods and Easter dinner?

Our most vivid memories are there foods we eat. Listen as we explore religion and food.

It is time to stop waisting our efforts on the tools people use to express anger and focus on the causes of the anger. American society is an angry society. Gun violence will decrease as we turn down the anger in politics, in schools, and in the work place.

Judaism and Buddhism are 2 sides of the same coin. They are not mutually exclusive. Each has its own rituals and rituals are not the center of the religion, the teachings and beliefs are at the center.

Staying connected with the Force puts you in harmony with the universe. Block the force and you risk alienation with what is.

A good whupping will keep the child from getting spoiled. Just because sage advice has been passed down from generation to generation doesn’t make it true.

Vegetables are the future for survival! War has solved a lot of problems and the solution was never good.