Rabbi's Musings

In our continued consideration of Jewish history, we have reached the Middle Ages and the rise of Ashkenazi Jews. As we have learned, Jews in Muslim lands were granted more rights than in Christian countries at the same time. The competition between Judaism and Christianity was fiercer, truly a zero-sum game. For Jews to be wrong was essential to the Christian polemic; therefore, they had to be seen as suffering. The restrictions on what they...Read more...

This week, instead of our usual history lesson, I am writing to celebrate starting back — almost three years after we stopped — the practice of calling up birthday and anniversary celebrants each month during Friday evening worship. This Shabbat evening, January 20, we will call up all those celebrating special moments in January. Is it reason enough to come in person to services? I hope the community feeling, music, prayers, and...Read more...

As we enter the latter half of December, we know that the days are short and the nights are long. In addition, this year the moon is growing smaller each night, leading to more darkness and less light. What a great moment for a festival that celebrates light. Both Christmas and Chanukah are festivals of light that ironically occur in the darkest time of the year. Light is a spiritual metaphor in most religions. The light of human awareness,...Read more...

In many ways the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 168 C.E. should have marked the end of Jewish history. After all, there would be no sovereign state, no Temple, no priesthood, and no power. But the Jewish people thrived in a more spiritual way by inaugurating the era of rabbinic Judaism, away from the fires of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, in 132 to 135 CE the Jews of Judea revolted anew against Rome in what became called the Bar...Read more...

Rome was the major superpower in the Western world some two thousand years ago. The corrupt leadership in Jerusalem gave the Romans control over the Judean state in order to solve a family “game of thrones” dilemma. When the Romans replaced the Seleucids as the great power in the region, they granted the Hasmonean king, Hyrcanus II, limited authority under the Roman governor of Damascus. The Jews resented this Roman interference in...Read more...

When the people of Judea – exiled for decades in Babylon – were allowed to return to Judea the typical response was, “Thanks, but we’re good here.” They had become used to Diaspora living. They mourned their lost home, but they chose to stay in their new one, much like the typical definition of a Zionist one hundred years ago: someone who raises money so someone else can move to Palestine.

This choice also meant there...Read more...

In one of the most severe events in the history of the Jewish people, in 586 BCE, the kingdom of Judea was conquered by the Babylonians. The First Temple was destroyed, the population exiled, and the end of the Jewish people appeared certain. Before being destroyed, Judea had been a vassal state to Babylonia. The question came whether to continue paying tribute or to resort to military power, with the help of God, to end the payments to...Read more...

Forty years our ancestors spent in the wilderness and then it was time for them to enter the Promised Land. (CBSW has spent forty years in The Woodlands, but it seems like a much friendlier place than the Sinai desert.) We were supposed to enter the Promised Land much sooner, but the people were not ready for the responsibility. Easier to take the slave out of Egypt than Egypt out of the slave. The spies sent to check out the land could not...Read more...

In the realm of religious history, there is little that compares with the Bible’s rendering of the Israelites' escape from Egyptian slavery. We get an underdog story, an evil and vain villain, and a dramatic Deus ex machina. Beyond a narrative tale, the story echoes the great theme of birth/rebirth: the people pass through a canal on the way to a new life; the birth of the nation not only frees them for a future but cuts them off from their...Read more...

As I mentioned last week, this year I will be reflecting in this column on the pivot points of Jewish history, in honor of CBSW turning 40. Last week we began exploring how Abraham came to create a new religion.
 
Since the Bible is very terse when it comes to explaining the rationale of Abraham, we have the ancient Rabbis of 1500 years ago offering various back-stories. They are centered around the idea that Abraham was special...Read more...

I am writing these words as I finish my month of sabbatical. Staying away from the community is not easy for me, but I know some quiet time to think and reflect pays itself in dividends of perspective and gratitude, and this is something precious.

As we enter the month of August – and the Hebrew month of Av – we begin to start the cycle anew. School begins again. The holy days beckon. Before the joy of the New Year, however, the...Read more...

Last year the congregational leadership generously offered me to take this coming month of July as a sabbatical. I graciously accepted even though I don’t like sabbaticals. I enjoy working! Nevertheless, I know some time to read, think, and reflect is important. First, it brings perspective. Second, some deeper study can occur. And third, it prepares one for the day when there will not be any work to do. We rabbis are especially sensitive...Read more...

Being from Kansas, I have always identified myself with the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz. I grew up watching it on TV and was extremely frightened by the witches. I then loved the musical Wicked and in general, the story continues to enchant me. The Jewish summer camp I attended as staff and faculty is in the small town of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I was surprised to learn that the world premiere of the film, The Wizard of Oz, was held in the...Read more...

This year the focus of these articles and our Tuesday Lunch and Learn events has been how the headlines and our ancient tradition meet. Today (Tuesday, May 17) will be the last Lunch and Learn until the fall. We will speak about Jewish views on abortion/reproductive choice. Please join us in the Moadon at noon. Here is a quick view:
The main statement of Rabbinic Judaism on the subject occurs in the Mishnah (Oholot 7:6). It is from ca....Read more...

This week we celebrate the 74th birthday of Israel (on May 5). Israel is a place with many challenges but also many enchantments. Its importance to the Jewish people is growing, if not everywhere in the Jewish world, then at least in most places. I love Israel and I relish sharing it with others. This February, please consider joining me and Melanie, and Pastor Ed and Bev Robb of The Woodlands Methodist Church, as we travel together to...Read more...