Rabbi Bruce's Reflections on Life

 Dear Friends, What an honor for Noah...he is referred to as a righteous person in his generation.   How many of us would like to be referred to as righteous? And yet...Noah is criticized for  only being righteous in his generation  and not for all time? The question for me is whether it is easier to be righteous when surrounded by people who aren't righteous, or whether it is easier to be righteous in a world where many are being righteous?  Or...is it ever "easy" to be righteous? Rabbi Hillel says that in a place where no one is being a mensch ( a gentleperson), one should strive to be a mensch.  (My paraphrase of his quote). As I encounter people who try to deal with peer pressure, I think that Noah was remarkable to have been righteous in his era.  He is surrounded by people doing evil things and is criticized for not telling anyone that he is building the Ark.  I wonder, in his era, whether anyone would have listened to him.  I...

  Dear Friends, As we have begun the Torah reading cycle again, we have just read the first portion in Genesis. Rabbi Abraham Twerski of blessed memory, a noted rabbi and psychiatrist  makes the following point in his book, "Living Each Week."  He suggests that when Adam and Eve ate from the fruit of the tree, it was a miscalculation rather than a sin. My interpretation of this thought is that when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, they had no clue that the knowledge of good and evil would now require them to do something about the evil in the world. I believe that they weren't hiding from G-d, as much as they were hiding from taking responsibility for righting the wrongs of our world. We all know the quote that ignorance is bliss.  Well, they were no longer ignorant and now were aware that they had to perform acts that would help make the world a better place.  As they left the world of bliss or the Garden of Eden, they needed to go out and work for the bette...

  Hi, As we celebrate Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot, the Shabbat during Sukkot, I am reminded of the book of Koheleth (Ecclesiastes) which we read at this time of year. There is a time for everything as Chapter Three teaches us.(See the link below). Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Chapter 3 - Tanakh Online - Chabad.org I have developed a new insight to these verses this year.  After being exposed to covid on Yom Kippur last Sunday, "it was time for me to test positive."  I have had a relatively minor case I suspect and although still testing positive, I feel great and am blessed. I think about timing.  If I had tested positive before the vaccines, this note could be coming to you by way of the world to come.  As I wrestled with minor symptoms, I couldn't help but be so thankful that this was the time I got covid.  Knowing many people who either died or knew someone who died from covid, I have wrestled with the "luck of the draw" and how fortunate I am that ...

  Dear Friends, One of the most special aspects of Sukkot is the custom of Ushpizin.  Please note the link below that describes this custom. I always am inspired by welcoming guests into the Sukkah because I usually invite people who have inspired me and are often members of my family.  I welcome the opportunity to remember positive moments that I shared with those who come to visit.  Sukkot is referred to as z'man simchateinu, a time to rejoice and be happy.  It is very reassuring to remember the teachings and wisdom of loved ones and others and to take time to reflect on the lessons I have learned. We also read Koheleth (Ecclesiasstes) which in chapter three explains that there is a time for everything.  I believe that there is a time to remember positive moments with the people we care about and a time to forget or let go of negative energy and the things that cause us to hold grudges. May we find joyful moments to share with the...