There are no coincidences in Torah. No matter how curious a verse may seem, how unrelated it may appear to what precedes or follows it, there are profound truths to be mined in each line. In fact, encountering the unexpected in a passage is often a clue that something exciting is happening beneath the surface,… [Continue Reading]

There are no coincidences in Torah. No matter how curious a verse may seem, how unrelated it may appear to what precedes or follows it, there are profound truths to be mined in each line.   In fact, encountering the unexpected in a passage is often a clue that something exciting is happening beneath the surface,… [Continue Reading]

The “Season of our Rejoicing—zman simchateinu”: Sukkot is certainly that here in New Zealand. In the Northern hemisphere, Sukkot signals the approach of winter, but for us it signals that spring is in the air. After a long, rainy winter, we rejoice to enjoy the out-of-doors! The sukkah, a flimsy hut, reminds us of the… [Continue Reading]

The “Season of our Rejoicing—zman simchateinu”:  Sukkot is certainly that here in New Zealand.  In the Northern hemisphere, Sukkot signals the approach of winter, but for us it signals that spring is in the air.  After a long, rainy winter, we rejoice to enjoy the out-of-doors! The sukkah, a flimsy hut, reminds us of the… [Continue Reading]

In my grandparents’ apartment, there were two mirrors that faced each other. As a boy, I stood entranced by the countless reflections I saw in them, bouncing back and forth. I‘d move my arm, and hundreds of Deans would follow suit, arcing into infinity. I’d make a funny face, and my grin would repeat again… [Continue Reading]

In my last column, I portrayed Progressive Judaism as a big tent. It allows for a wide range of Jewish practice and belief. While Progressive Judaism, like Abraham’s tent, is indeed open, this is not to say that there are no limits. Last month, I outlined what’s Progressive about Progressive Judaism. This month, I will… [Continue Reading]

The day was crisp and sunny. A big, billowy Pavilion presided over a green lawn bustling with noise and energy, and it felt like faire day in a Renaissance village. Instead, it was our own Shabbaton—a festival of learning and fun, a celebration of Progressive Judaism in New Zealand. Children scampered over the grass and… [Continue Reading]

City life can be loud, frustrating, demanding, isolating. It sometimes seems like an endless marketplace, with everything for sale, full of flash but empty of meaning. But it needn’t be. “A thought has blown the market place away. There is a song in the wind and joy in the trees. The Sabbath arrives in the… [Continue Reading]

I want to introduce you to my friend, Miri Gold. A gentle, unassuming lady, you’d never know to look at her that she’s at the centre of a landmark legal case that could change the face of Israeli society. Rabbi Gold is the beloved spiritual leader of Kibbutz Gezer, but is the only one of… [Continue Reading]

My grandmother always set a beautiful Passover table. The linen was white, the glasses sparkled, and the seat cushions were covered with gold velvet. A plate of matzoh, covered with an embroidered cloth, graced the table, as did a tray of vegetables reserved for young stomachs. My grandfather presided over the seder from the head… [Continue Reading]