Category Archives: Jewish History/Culture

Nowhere else to go

Nowhere else to go
The Marvel movie, “Dr. Strange,” is visually stunning but also echoes some Bible narrative. In one scene, the title character is literally tossed out of the mystical healing center. At the end of his rope, he beats on the door to be let back in. Through his sobs he cries, “There’s nowhere else to go.”…
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To Wrestle with God

To Wrestle with God
Jacob, alone in the wilderness and facing a crisis, has a wrestling match. He lasts through the night, refusing to let go, and demands a blessing. The Lord gives him that blessing but leaves him with a humbling reminder of their interaction, a limp. This Jacob becomes Israel, which means to struggle or wrestle with…
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Miracles

Miracles
The philosopher, when he sees a miracle, looks for a natural explanation. The Jew, when he sees nature, looks for the miracle. This saying is from a book of rabbinic teaching (Sefer HaMaamarim). It is a great illustration of the Jewish worldview. A common Jewish practice every morning is to acknowledge all things are from…
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Who’s my neighbor?

Who’s my neighbor?
Love your neighbor. No greater command exists except the co-command to love God. But who is my neighbor? That exact question was asked of Jesus and He responded by giving us the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable we find a robbed and wounded man left for dead on a road. Both a…
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