past

“Jewish Normal, Is Not Very Normal”
(updated and revised from Haazinu-Rosh Hashana 5774-2013)

We live in remarkable times, anomalous times, times that have no precedent in all of Jewish history. Experiences of relative peace and tranquility can hardly be called the “Jewish normal.”

"Jewish Normal, Is Not Very Normal"

We live in remarkable times, anomalous times, times that have no precedent in all of Jewish history. Our current experiences with relative peace and tranquility can hardly be called “Jewish normal.”

"Go for Yourself "

The Al-mighty tells Abram to leave his homeland, his relatives and his father's house and go to a land that G-d will show him. Although Abram is instructed to give up his past, he is not told to deny his past. Contemporary Jews, who undertake the journey of embracing tradition, are to be admired for their bold actions. While they may be called upon to abandon much of their past, they dare not deny their past. Doing so is invariably unhealthy and destabilizing.