Real Rabbi NYC

It's kind of scary--or relevant--when the news corresponds to something in the Torah in the same week. It's about anointing, but it's relevant who is being anointed. How do we know when something is ordained by God? Take a listen and leave a comment!

Here's what I'm drawing hope from this week when everything feels so dire: Dr. Ruth. Have a listen, and leave a comment--and a blessing! Visit my website, https://realrabbinyc.com to see the latest!

With the mess of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, our aging and feeble president who refuses (so far) to step out of the race, our lack of good choices in what is supposed to be a democracy, the war in Gaza, Climate Disaster...what courage can we take from the lessons of Torah and this week's Parsha? There are actually some good ones. Including some surprises in the news that can help us build our own faith for our future.

Tomorrow is July 4th, potentially and supposedly a time of celebration and fireworks. What is there to celebrate in this difficult political moment? And what about those fireworks???? And what about that Korakh???

I saw a shocking thing today when a little boy grabbed his mother's phone and threw it into the lake. This led to a very long conversation with a friend about our phones, parenting, putting people in boxes, and the panic that has gripped us all in different ways. We told a whole story about this mother and her son, and then came the story of the spies in this week's Parsha. Take a listen and leave a comment! Shabbat Shalom.

I have so much on my mind this week. Things I wanted to say about last week's Parsha that I didn't get to, things I want to say about the recently rescued hostages, among other things. Listen and let me know your thoughts!

It's early in the week to have to be inspired, yet, Shavuos is coming tonight, and I need it now! So I found an interesting little anecdote to share. I hope you enjoy--and find inspiration in them as I did. Gut Yontif, Chag Sameach, and good Shabbos!

There was a lot to celebrate this week in my family; a wedding, and then a graduation. So much love, so much joy, so much pride. The graduation was especially impactful in its diversity, its connection to our roots, and that students walked out in protest of the war in Gaza--and the university president ignored them completely, as if they weren't there! In this week's parsha, as we begin the Book of Numbers, everyone is counted. So this all got me thinking about how we all count--or don't. Listen, and then leave a comment, please!

When do we whisper, and for what purposes. That's what I explore in this episode based on this week's Torah portion and all its horrible, horrible curses, and what's happening in the world.

This week is about living in harmony with the Earth, and what Torah tells us about that. But I tell a personal story of going to stay with a good friend who has a farm. What a needed time. I hope you get your fix too.

Do you ever start out thinking you have nothing to say and then you realize you have so MUCH to say? That's how it was today. There's such interesting meat in the Netflix movie You People and the Parsha this week. So listen and find out! Leave a comment please, as well, with any thoughts you might have pertaining to the questions I leave you with. It will help others find me! Thanks ahead of time! Shabbat Shalom.

I'm late getting this out, but the ideas expressed here are relevant for any time. The challenge we are given by our Bible to "love our fellow as ourselves," and also not to "hate our fellow in our hearts" are both difficult tenets to live by. Humans are very judgy people, and when we don't agree with others and how they live their lives, or they challenge our sense of identity, we can become angry and hateful. I come to this with more questions than answers, and challenge us all to approach the current situation with the same attitude, and life in general. Please listen! And let me know what you think!

It’s hard to live expansively these days, with an open heart and an open mind. But is it possible?

I’m more than a little bit worried about Passover this year due to the current events in Israel and Gaza. My own family is divided in terms of political opinions over this, and there’s a fair amount of tension around it. I’m sure I’m not alone. As it is, Passover gatherings can be fraught, as any family gathering, but especially when we’re used to bringing in current events to our Seder discussions. So how DO we? And what’s it got to do with the Parsha this week (if you care). Happy Passover to everyone, and Good Shabbos.

Just listen. There’s a lot here.

This time I share a beautiful poem and some thoughts about how it might be connected to the parsha, and I ask for your thoughts on how they might be linked.

Facing death with dignity, standing up for the right to do that and to be treated with care can be one of the hardest things, especially when doctors and family and friends intervene. What does Judaism have to say about this, and how do we live our highest values?

I officiated at a memorial service this week for a man who died too young of brain cancer. There were many lessons to be learned from the way he lived and the way he chose to die. Wittingly or unwittingly, he made mistakes. This week Torah tells us how to make expiation for our wrongdoings, but really stays on the surface. I go deep with this one—as I always intend. Take a listen!

Carlton Pearson was an Evangelical preacher turned heretic for preaching that hell is a human invention—one we don’t need any help creating for ourselves. He began preaching of a loving God of inclusion. I wonder how this lesson applies to me, or to us. I wonder how we as Jews are becoming the haters we accuse others of being.

Is it possible to be too generous? To give too much? In this episode, I tell the funny and fun story of a Ukrainian Jewish/interfaith Muslim wedding ceremony I officiated recently, and ask those questions. (Please leave a blessing in the comments section after you listen—or a comment will do as well; it will help more listeners find my podcast! And thanks!)