The Rabbi and I

You have now spent 18 minutes being Jewish. Perhaps you want to spend more time being Jewish. Nothing is stopping you from being Jewish as often as you like. As my sneakers tell me “just do it!”

No one is too tough to love. “Tough Love” is an excuse to abuse your children. Love means loving them for who they are and not claiming to love them when you are actually abusing them.

Observing the rituals is not the goal to being Jewish, embracing them is what makes you Jewish. Use the rituals as a guide, a reminder of how you need to act. Embrace the meaning of the rituals and live them.

Time to reign in your spending. Using credit in an emergency may be required, but not as a source of entertainment. Be happy spending what you have.

It is Jewish to live within your means. Moderation in lifestyle leads to a better and happier life.

Is the need for external validation driving you crazy? Are you tired of seeing pictures of your friends eating a salad? Cheer up, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs will save you.

Remembering the past and sharing it is a way to be Jewish. Your Jewish past will become your future so don’t forget it.

Having a hard time focusing? Easily distracted? As a society we are loosing the ability to stay on track. Anything is more interesting than what we are presently doing. Now is the Best Moment to Be In

Being Jewish in 30 seconds means being open to changes. Judaism survived because it changed and adapted to new ideas. Otherwise we would still be sacrificing animals!

You read my title Rabbi and immediately you think you know exactly what I believe and how I will act. Stop jumping to conclusions based on minimal knowledge. Stay open, watch, & listen before you draw conclusions.

Circumcision or Brit Milah is a ritual made up of 2 parts. A medical procedure and a spiritual covenant ceremony. The medical procedure I.e. the circumcision can be done in the hospital and the spiritual ceremony can be done anytime after birth.

Pride is a good thing until it becomes excessive. Before it is too late reign in your human hubris. Greek mythology teaches us what happens when hubris goes uncontrolled.

The goal of dating is finding someone that you are compatible with. Don’t limit your dates because of someone’s religion. Jews Can Date Nonjews, Interfaith Dating is Okay

Why pay more when I will sell you the secret to life for only a dollar! Why so cheap you ask? Because I live the secret and want to share it, not make a profit.

Be amazed by what is around you. Balance your daily activities with paying attention to all of creation.

We humans take our relationships for granted and the when they are over we regret not having more time. Without being morbid say goodbye.

Blessing your children once a week will have noticeable results.

Santa Clause said it best, “be good for goodness sake”. Fear of hell and the reward of heaven have not made the world a better place. It is time to listen to Santa Clause.

Reading 3 verses from the Torah or the Bible only takes 30 seconds. Being Jewish means studying 3 verses of Torah.

Some religions accept art openly while others shun all and every form of art. Why do religions have an art problem? Is there really a problem?

Don’t eat what! How did the list of Chametz come about!

The Rabbi pulls out all the stops and tells it like it is. Don’t listen, your feelings might be hurt if you do!

You can have a complete Seder in less than a minute!

What you you write to your 18 year old self? Practical advice, philosophical advice, or lottery numbers, think carefully.

Being polite and courteous goes a long way to make life better for all of us.