High Holy Days / Yamim Noraim / Days of Awe

Awe

Good Yuntif. This sacred season goes by several names. The most common one, at least here in America, is the High Holy Days. Interestingly, there’s really no Hebrew equivalent for that term; it seems to be a fully American invention. Some of our sources refer to this time as Aseret Yamei Teshuva, the 10 Days of Repentance.Continue reading “Awe”

Kindness

Good Yuntif. Tonight is Kol Nidrei. The most solemn night of the year, the opening to Yom Kippur, the most weighty, important day. This night, we are told, is meant to be one of awe and trembling, where we plumb the depths of our souls, and consider our deeds. Every year, I have to think carefully aboutContinue reading “Kindness”

Build Me A Sanctuary

Build Me A Sanctuary “V’asu li mikdash, v’shachanti b’tocham—Build Me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them.” With those words, God kicked off the creation of the first sacred space in Jewish history: the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary in the desert, which would later be the template for the holy Temple, toContinue reading “Build Me A Sanctuary”

Capturing The Moon

Capturing The Moon It’s pretty well known that the people of Chelm weren’t the brightest bulbs in the chandelier. But, they did like light. And, they especially loved the moon. I mean, the day was bright all by itself, they understood. But, the night only had light because there was this big beautiful ball ofContinue reading “Capturing The Moon”