Although this doesn’t win me any friends, and although it gets me discounted as a sourpuss and a cynic, I am one of those people who believes that the Messianic Jewish Movement is, for the most part, failing. This doesn’t mean everyone is failing, that every congregation is failing, that failure is all we find […]
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Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks is one of the most impressive men of our era. His brilliance, powers of articulation, and scope of knowledge astound and delight me. On September 1, 2013 he resigned his position as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, a position he held since September 1, 1991. The […]
Today's lesson is from Parshat Chukkat, from Numbers 19-21. we begin with chapter 20. There is a lesson here for every one of us. So pay attention and improve your life through this lesson! Read Numbers 20:1-5 - Here we read of the death of Miriam, Moses' oldest sibling, and we read again of Israel's grumbling […]
In just under a month I will be attending the National Conference of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations. I admit to being very much the introvert which may be why I find such gatherings stressful. I don’t like large crowds, but prefer to relate to people one on one or in small groups, unless […]
In this week's parasha, Korach, we see the continued disastrous effects of spreading lashon hora, negative speech. In Bamidbar/Numbers chapter twelve, it was Miriam, Moses' sister, who spoke evil of her brother, by chapters thirteen and fourteen, it was ten out of the twelve spies who engaged in slander, not only of Moses, but of Aaron and of […]
I first met Moishe Rosen, the founder of Jews for Jesus in 1967/1968. I was 23-24, and he was 37. This was in New York City. After a few years he moved to California, and from time to time wrote me letters encouraging me to move out there. But it wasn’t only to me that […]
This week, one of my nice readers, Joel Burman, posted some questions in response to one of my blogs in which I advocated for a return to Torah observance as a necessary component of Jewish repentance. Since this is Q&A Friday, I thought I would deal with one of his questions which revolves around this […]
The most non-negotiable core of the prescribed prayers of the Jewish people is called the Amidah. During this set of nineteen blessings, one stands as a servant in the presence of his master, and as a subject in the presence of the King. Indeed at the beginning of the prayer one steps forward, as if […]
These lessons are from the Torah reading of this coming Shabbat, Parshat Sh'lach [Numbers 13:1-15:41]. This lesson will deal solely with chapters 13 and 14, drawing forth some lessons for all of us on what it means to follow and what it means to lead. In this section, Moses sends out twelve spies to reconnoiter […]
I pause in our normal rhythm of postings to share some ideas kindled by my recent trip to Russia. In today’s contemplation I want to direct our attention to two terms and to two issues. These terms and issues have everything to do with the Messianic Jewish Movement, its present and its future. And if […]
