Taste of Torah

We usually think that it is we adults who must live long enough to enjoy grandchildren. Now we have cause to worry that children may not live long enough to be grandchildren for long. In the face of calls for armed police and teachers in our nation’s schools, it’s time to restore sanity and impose proper gun control laws.

It is said that “vengeance is sweet” but research demonstrates that while this may be true in the very short term, it is not true in the long term. Joseph’s decision to forgive rather than seek revenge is a model. But how does it apply to a current case of child sexual abuse?

The notion of God is basic to being a human being living in this world. But we have become caught up in descriptions of God as a “being” with “feelings.” These are emotionally helpful at times, but at other times distracting and off-putting.

The Rabbis greatly admire Tamar, because she risked her life to save Judah from public humiliation. What risks are we willing to take for ethical principles we cherish?

Jacob’s sons use circumcision, a sacred ritual in the context of Jewish covenant, as a weapon to massacre the men of Shechem. Religious has far too often used it’s dogma, texts, and rites as weapons. It’s time to recognize this and take responsibility for stopping it.

Jacob dreams of a ladder stretching from heaven to earth. He comes to realize that they are connected, inseparable -- within him. He begins to understand that God is not found “out there” but deep within himself.

Judaism frowns on asceticism and encourages us to enjoy the pleasures of life as blessings from God. We need to find balance between short term pleasure, and long term investment.

Eliezer forms a first impression of Rebekah, as Laban does of Eliezer, but they operate out of different value systems. Have you considered how you form first impressions of others?

We often spin narratives to explain our motives, when the truth is we are driven by jealousy. Perhaps Sarah does just this, suffering from a diminution of attention from her husband and son. It’s something we all do at some time or another.

It is not always wise or kind to tell the truth, but this is far from blanket permission to lie whenever it is convenient. We need to get a handle on: when and why we lie, and evaluate whether it is legitimate to deviate from the truth.

Noah is a trauma victim. Not the first, but not the last either. Many people have suffered trauma, or something short of trauma that wounds and leaves scars. Examining the effects on ourselves, understanding the source, and holding God close can help us close wounds and fade scars.

The pleasures we derive from the world should also remind us that we are God’s appointed stewards to care for earth’s resources and wellbeing.

Various forms of dishonest speech -- spin, obfuscation, dog-whistle messages, and outright lies, are common in public, and particularly political discourse. We even find an example in the prayerbook. The prayerbook reflects religious experience; contextomy is intended to distort reality. Sukkot teaches us honesty and transparency.

An interpretation of Moses’ use of two different prepositions in speaking of Israel’s return to God teaches us to value incremental change and progress toward self-improvement. We are accustomed to thinking that until we arrive at the end goal, we have not yet accomplished anything. Not so. God gives partial credit.

Torah provides a succinct account of Israel’s history in the “wandering Aramean” passage. Everyone wants to know where they come from. But that can mean far more than a geographical location.