Tag Archives: rabbi

Stand on my shoulders

It must be the greatest satisfaction of a teacher to say, I have taught you what I know, now go study with this other teacher. Or, like the rabbis, go make students of your own. The student that surpasses the teacher is a precious gem to the teacher. Can you imagine training Yo-Yo Ma, the…
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Lashon Hora: Forbidden Speech

Words can hurt. They have the power to damage not just feelings and relationships but also reputations and even livelihoods. We know that slander and deceit are wrong, but what if the information is true? Lashon Hora, or forbidden speech, is that which may be true but is derogatory or negative. Rabbinic law set boundaries…
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A few words on letting words be few

Have you ever been the recipient of unhelpful words or advice? We have an uncomfortable relationship with silence. Why do we feel the need to pass on every bit of information on a subject we know? Or add our two cents to every conversation? Social media has amplified these dynamics but the tendency has always…
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Which Jesus

Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Matthew 16:15 We all have to wrestle with that question at some point. Who is Jesus? Peter’s response is recorded for us. “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God.” The people of Israel were desperate for the Messiah to…
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