Rabbi Bruce's Reflections on Life

 Dear Friends, As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the Jewish tradition which encourages us to recite 100 blessings each day. Although we live in a world where there is much to be distressed about, I hope that we will make time on Thanksgiving to give thanks for the blessings we do have. On a personal note, I just observed the second anniversary of my heart attack and I am blessed to be alive and able to live a normal, active life.  Danny Siegel, a friend, teacher, and mentor of mine has written a book called "Healing" in which he has a couple of sections where he enumerates 100 blessings that include such simple (or not so simple) things as hugs, air, water, tears, a warm coat, and so many  other things that we take for granted. I hope that when we gather together for Thanksgiving with loved ones and friends (and I hope we are together with people at this special time of year), that we will all give thanks for the food, safe travel, and love that brings us t...

  Dear Jerry (and Doris), I want you to know that you were one of the most inspirational people I ever met. You touched so many people.  You regaled us with so many moving stories about your life and always impressed me with your appreciation of life and your humility. How can one put into words the impact that your life has had on so many? Rudyard Kipling's Poem "iF" really describes you.  (See below) Jerry, you talked with crowds and kept your virtue and walked with Kings and never lost your common touch.  You filled your life with more than 60 seconds of distance run.   And you were a mensch, Jerry. What I will always remember is your smile and your love of life.  You loved telling stories and always appreciated  the people with whom you interacted. You always were enthusiastic and joyful to have the opportunity to teach the younger generation diligently. I can never forget when you spoke at Matt Hyder's Bar Mitzvah and what an impact you had o...

  Dear Friends, First of all, I hope we are all grateful to all the Veterans and their families and friends who have sacrificed, are sacrificing, and will continue to sacrifice so much to keep us safe. I was talking to a person in the military recently who appreciates when people thank them for their service, but that it doesn't mean as much to them as people think.  I was told that what makes a bigger difference to them is when we listen to each other and work together to keep our democracy and our country strong.  I hope we will heed their words. After the recent election which once again is indicative of the divisiveness in our country, I hope we will support those who work across the aisle to build a nation where we respect and honor ourselves and each other. This week the Torah reading is about Abraham and Isaac climbing Mt. Moriah and Abraham binding Isaac to the altar. He does not actually sacrifice him, but their relationship is never the same. I wa...

  Dear Friends, As we prepare to commemorate Kristallnacht, Nov. 9 and 10, the night of broken glass, I wanted to share some thoughts in the context of Abraham and Noah. On October 27 we marked the fourth anniversary of the shooting at "Tree of Life" synagogue in Pittsburgh. I am intrigued by the comment that Noah didn't tell anyone he was building an Ark to save humanity because he didn't believe that the world would really be destroyed. As we witness celebrities who are making anti-semitic comments, I hear folks saying that we should ignore these comments and not worry about the potential consequences. We should celebrate all those who are suspending an athlete and ending endorsement contracts rather than dwell on the potential ramifications of the hateful comments that are being posted and made. Now...enter Abraham...He goes forth and separates himself from a world of idolatry to profess his faith in one G-d. He takes a leap of faith by journeying forward to usher ...

 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 ...