My family always “did” a Passover seder, and I remember really liking it as a kid. But as I get older, I’m less and less comfortable with the practice. I feel that the seder implicitly celebrates the torture that the Egyptians were subject to during the plagues. Modern times, in which we prize sensitivity toward the downtrodden and disadvantaged, call for a ritual that includes more awareness of, and compassion toward, the suffering of the Egyptian people. I would like to start a new seder tradition which features charitable giving toward embattled regimes, and celebrates freedom with activism on prison reform. Wouldn’t that be a more appropriate way to celebrate?
Read MoreOk, for real then. What’s the deal with hamantaschen? You once wrote that holidays are not meant to be symbolic or ritualistic, but experiential. Eating a cookie shaped like someone’s hat seems a bit… silly. Ritualistic at best. Why is it so significant?
Read More2020 forced me to confront discrimination to a degree I hadn’t before. Being white, I had to reflect on privilege and how it impacts myself and others in ways I may not even be aware of. The notion of an embedded white supremacy got me thinking about being Jewish. Is the premise of a “chosen people” inherently racist? How is it different than white supremacy or any other form of discrimination?
Read MoreThe High Holidays and Sukkot was a great reprieve from all the chaos this year. I felt so peaceful and connected to myself. But then after the holidays were all over, reality hit like a bucket of ice water. Pandemic out of control, election out of control, people dying and people struggling and when I look around it makes me question the notion of a kindness-focused Creator. Yes, we have blessing and goodness and opportunity. But so much suffering, too. How could the purpose of existence be positive (as you’ve written) with so much negativity everywhere?
Read MoreThe High Holy Days are the only ones I even consider going to synagogue. The rest of the year… Meh. But I know my Bubby would turn over in her grave if I didn’t go on Rosh Hashanah and/or Yom Kippur. As much as it’s a drag, it does give me a sense of connection to Judaism and the Jewish community that I don’t get otherwise. But this year, services will be virtual, and I just can’t see myself getting anything out of it. I can’t look at screens or focus on virtual meetings for even one minute more than is absolutely necessary for my job, which is already too much. Is there a way for me to get that spiritual “fix” without attending services, virtual or otherwise?
Read MoreI took your words to heart in the last issue, and over Shavuot decided I’d like to try and experience some Torah learning for myself. I’ll admit, it was amazing. It was intellectually stimulating, and deep, and challenging on so many levels; really unlike anything I’ve ever done. But here’s the problem -- I’m not sure I believe in God. I’m a logical, intelligent person, and the notion of the old man in the sky seems imaginary and juvenile. So all that Torah learning, while enjoyable, felt like a strange, hypocritical practice.
Read MoreI know that Shavuot is the holiday of cheesecake. I also remember from Hebrew school that it’s the day God gave the Torah at Sinai. Why would I celebrate the Torah today if I’m a non-observant Jew?
Read MoreMy partner and I are trying to tag team so that we can work, keep our kids happy, and stay sane on top of it all. Life is nuts! When will this ever end, and how can I get through it in one piece?! What does Jewish wisdom have to say about it?
Read MoreSo, Purim is pretty much the Jewish Halloween, right? Wear costumes and eat candy?
Read MoreMy son’s school is celebrating Tu B’shvat this year by handing out dried fruit and planting trees, teaching the kids about caring for the environment. Is caring about the environment a “contemporary” Jewish value? Or is there a traditional basis for it too?
Read MoreMy Orthodox buddy told me at the gym the other day that he’s going to be fasting one day this week. Is it true that Orthodox Jews fast a few times a year besides for Yom Kippur? What’s so Jewish about fasting?
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