Rabbi Bruce's Reflections on Life

  Dear Friends, As we commence the Biblical story  of Abraham this week in our Scriptural Torah reading cycle, the section begins with Abraham being asked to go forth from his father's home to a new place.  In order to do so, Abraham becomes the founder of monotheism, the belief in one G-d.  He becomes the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. What strikes me is the faith that Abraham has as he emerges into uncharted territory. As all of us watch the dynamic events in the Middle East, we are all having to find faith that somehow Israel can remain strong and that there will be concern about human lives.  We also all know that there are strong opinions about how Israel should respond to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. Last Sunday I watched the following concert by the Jerusalem Youth Chorus which inspired me to believe that when people come together, peace is not an elusive dream, but can be a realistic goal. Please take the time to watch the concert which ...

 Dear Friends, As we all struggle with the tragic events in the Middle East, the brutal acts of Hamas including the taking of hostages, and all the subsequent loss of life, I, like all of us, am struggling to find the right words. I taught about the weekly Torah portion this past Shabbat (Sabbath) and we talked about the text that says that Noah was righteous in his generation.  Noah is not viewed as righteous for all time as is Abraham.  Noah is criticized for not arguing with G-d about the destruction of humanity and for not telling people why he was building the ark. This led to a discussion about whether we have ever done enough to claim to be righteous.  One participant in the discussion said he would be happy to list "saving humanity" on his resume whether he was considered righteous for all time or not. I gave the example of our Passover song, "Dayenu" which means "enough."  We say  that G-d does a variety of things for us and if G-d h...

  Dear Friends, As we once again began the reading of the Torah last Shabbat with the story of creation after the events which changed our world on Simchat Torah,  (the holiday that celebrated the completion of the reading of the Torah and beginning the reading again), I was so deeply torn. On the one hand we read of the creation of the world and the potential for new beginnings and on the other hand, we were watching the tragic events in the Middle East. As humans we have the potential to create a beautiful and meaningful world.   We also witnessed the potential that humans have to create chaos and destruction, and kill in unspeakable and horrible ways.  I want to share what Yehuda Stolov, the founder of the Interfaith Encounter Association  in Israel wrote in response to  the horrors which occurred.  Please check out the website and think about  supporting their meaningful work.   We are shocked and deeply saddened by the events t...

 Dear Friends, In the midst of the tragic events  in Israel I wanted to send you something  which Elad, our tour guide  while we will be in Israel sent me. As one who remembers  so many of the conflicts in Israel, the loss of life and the trauma is staggering. May the memories of those who have died not be in vain,may  those who have been kidnapped and are being held hostage be  returned safely, and may Israel know peace  in the days ahead. B'shalom, in peace, Bruce My dear friends, You probably heard the bad news about the war that started today between Gaza and  between Israel. We are in a new situation that last time we experienced was exactly 50 years and one days ago on October 6th 1973 when the Yom Kippur war started, today it's Yom kippur war #2.   My family seems to be safe though my 96 years old grandmother who lives in Ofakim, my home town near the border with Gaza. among other villages and towns it is under attack an...

 Dear Friends, As we celebrate Sukkot  my wife and I put  up  our Sukkah (temporary dwelling) for  the first  time since before Covid. As we sat in the Sukkah yesterday, I was reflecting upon the custom of ushpizin.   Ushpizin is an Aramaic word that means invited guests.    One invites people who are meaningful to them and has a conversation  with them.  The people are living or deceased and hopefully these discussions remind people about what was important to  them. I was thinking about the theme of wandering since  the Sukkah  reminds us of the temporary dwelling places that the Israelites built in the wilderness while they  were wandering during Biblical times.   One of the songs that my parents used to listen to when I  was  younger is called, "I Was Born Under a Wandering Star" from Paint Your Wagon. I was born under a wandrin' star I was born under a wandrin' star Wheels are made f...