Appearances are important in many circumstances for honoring others. At the same time, images are just light bouncing around. The real value and identity of a person does not really reside in his/her image.
calmness in the midst of chaos
equanimity vs. complacency
be anxious for nothing
the serenity prayer
sequence and order
As a child I was diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD). One of the clearest indicators of this learning difference was my early inability to process information out of sequence. If my mother told me to put on my shoes and socks I would stare at her blankly; I needed to be told to put on my socks and shoes.
sacred namers and humility
I have plenty!
One of the biggest surprises in the narrative of Genesis comes during Yaakov’s reunion with Esau when he returns to the land of Canaan. When Esau comes to meet his brother with a menacing entourage of 400 men, but when he sees Yaakov, he runs to embrace him and weep together with him at their reunion (Gen. 33:4).
grateful for you
what are you yoked to?
As the presidential race heats up, I’m struck—and troubled—by how invested in one candidate or party many believers seem to be. It’s good to be involved in the political process, but the passion with which some believers demonize the opposition and line up with one party line or another suggests that they really believe the political system holds the key to life’s toughest problems.
humility as solidarity
from invisible to visible
where are you?
tend your planet
step it up
am I my brother's keeper?
responsibility of a neighbor
bottled up kindness
The lessons of kindness coming from the scriptures are as boundless as the kindness Hashem used when He formed Creation. The midrash teaches us that the Torah begins with kindness (the clothing of Adam and Eve) and ends with kindness (the burial of Moses). It seems that chesed is a fundamental force of the universe.
carried by kindness
Yeshua seems to have this same ethical stretching in mind when he tells us to not only love our neighbor, but to love our enemy. If there’s anything that will push us beyond the comfort zone it’s this. And the demand is only heightened when we remember that Messiah links “love your neighbor as yourself” with the greatest commandment of all, “love Hashem your God with all your heart, soul, and might.”
