Rabbi Bruce's Reflections on Life

 Dear Friends, During Yom Kippur it is no  surprise that this column will be about forgiveness. I am intrigued by the moment in which Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers in the Biblical story  of Joseph (Genesis 37-ff.) After a number of events, Judah, one of his brothers, offers a touching speech to Joseph and  his sincerity finally overwhelms Joseph. He clears the room, cries, and then turns to  his brothers and says, "Ani Yosef" (I am Joseph) and reveals himself to them. After years of reading this section, this year it seems to me that Joseph, who is known  as a dreamer, also becomes a person who wants to be known as one who forgives.  He says that although the brothers meant to hurt him, that G-d wanted the  events to  unfold as they did.  We  remember that Joseph  predicts the famine and saves the world by encouraging the Egyptians to put food into storage for the seven bleak years. Joseph exhibits his fai...

 Dear Friends, As we approach the new year of 5784 on the Jewish calendar I want to share two thoughts with you. First of all, among my favorite lyrics from popular songs are the following words from Rod Stewart's "Reason to Believe." If I gave you time to change my mind I'd find the way just to leave all the past behind Knowing that you lied Straight-faced while I cried Still I look to find a reason to believe I  believe that the High Holiday season gives us an opportunity to change our minds and leave behind some of the past that has burdened us.  Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur give us the time to change our minds.  Whether we do so is up to us. I also believe that his time of year has the potential to encourage us to find a reason to believe.  We are taught that G-d resides where we let G-d in.  I hope that we can leave behind some of the "lies" that we may have been told or even some of them we may have expressed.  I hope we will let hope, renewal, a...

  Dear Friends, One of the best parts about being an adjunct professor is the amount of time that I can take to travel on weekends and over school vacations. One of many highlights of this summer was the opportunity to attend Shabbat (Sabbath) services at Temple Emanuel in Denver.  In his sermon, Rabbi Joe Black discussed the importance of awareness, acknowledgement, and action. I want to discuss these three "As."   Some of us are part of the AAA Motor Club and I want to become part of the AAA Spiritual Club as we prepare for 5784.  Years ago, I gave a sermon where I suggested that as a rabbi I am a GPS, a Guide to Personal Spirituality.  Using the example of the AAA Motor Club, I think that each of us would enjoy our journey through life more  if we put into practice these three As that Rabbi Black suggested. We observe Selichot tonight, a time on the Jewish calendar before the new year when we offer prayers for forgiveness and really begin to ta...