The coronavirus-compelled communal self-quarantine felt vaguely familiar: Here we are bamidbar (back in the wilderness), reliving Numbers, when Miriam becomes infected with a scaly, white, and highly contagious skin condition. But we’ve gotten through it before, and we will now, too.
Though handwashing in the medical realm is relatively modern, handwashing in the religious world is decidedly ancient.
This year is a leap year, and February 29th is Shabbat. What does a leap year look like on the Jewish calendar?
We sat down with bestselling author, editor, and commentator A.J. Jacobs to talk about lessons he’s learned about thankfulness from his over-the-top social experiments.
Scott Shay, entrepreneur, thought leader, Jewish community activist, and author of two books, recently talked with us. Here’s what he said about God, religion, and more.
When we can’t be Moses or Esther or whomever we want to be like, it’s OK – it’s necessary, even – to be Noah. Being “good enough” may not have the same glamor as leading an entire people to the Promised Land, but do you know what being “good enough” accomplished? In Noah’s case, it meant being trusted by the Holy Blessed One to literally start the entire world from scratch.
ReformJudaism.org caught up with Cantor Sacks to talk about her career and to gain her insights as our Ten Minutes of Torah commentator for the Book of Deuteronomy.
How can you, as a parent, also infuse this time of year with meaning and with the Jewish values that are important to you?
The “Days of Awe” is a good name for the High Holiday season because when we are in awe of something, that's a good thing, but I like “Awesome Days” so much better.
Dr. Ruhama Weiss, a professor at the Reform seminary in Jerusalem, challenge our assumptions as she examines the intersection of ancient texts and human experience.
Together, we will champion the lessons of Passover by bringing greater wholeness, justice, and belonging to our world.