Category Archives: Thoughts

When I first met Lynn and she spoke to me about her origins in the city of New Orleans, one of the customs she enjoyed participating in was the eating of the Kingcake to begin the season of Mardis Gras, which coincides with the timeframe of Purim. Although there are many versions of this cake, the Louisiana version is the most popular one to many who wish to perpetuate such a fun tradition. The cake itself is like a cinnamon roll that is covered with sugary icing and sprinkles in the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. Buried in the batter is a plastic or ceramic baby figurine that has several connotations to the person who finds it in his or her piece, including being responsible for buying the next cake to be eaten. So far, I have not found anything suspicious in my hamentaschen as of late! From a Jewish perspective I recall reading about a wandering Jew who became famous in a small, fictional town when he dropped a note that contained a pithy saying into a loaf of bread at the local bakery where he was able to find work. “Jacob the Baker” soon became a local celebrity as people scurried to … Continue reading →

Addressed to Roman Carnevale, on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah. Roman, I would like to go back in history with you and revisit a scene from the Book of Exodus so that we can be sure that we got things right going into the Passover seder and how Moses got his initial start on saving the Jewish people. I begin with some very familiar words to most kids your age when I look at the moment when Moses follows one of his sheep up the mountain and he encounters a burning bush. Fascinated by what he sees, a voice calls out to him: The Lord said unto Moses, “You’re being grounded!” Moses responded, “What did I do wrong now? And who do you think you are, my father, the Pharaoh of all Egypt?” “It is I, Moses, the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” “What’s an ancestor?” Moses questioned. “They are the people who came before you, who recognized my special powers.” “Right!” said Moses. “Moses, take off your sandals!” “Why should I? There are stones and pebbles and they hurt my feet. Besides, Tziporah just gave me a foot massage the other night and the bottom … Continue reading →

What did the Charoset say to the lonely Lettuce as they sat on the seder table waiting to be introduced? “They like me better because you’re bitter and I’m sweet!” What? Is lettuce really bitter? What leaves have you been eating lately? Oh, the gourmet mix that includes endive! What about the rest of the lettuce world? Why does it get a bad rap for a few bitter leaves? Ever wonder why there is an extra place for lettuce on our seder plates? After some intensive labor, cruising the Internet for a logical explanation, I discovered there is no hard and fast rule regarding the lettuce, other than it makes a nice decoration. Well, maybe that is not entirely true. What I learned is that in Tractate Pesachim 39a the sages discuss a number of options regarding what makes the best maror (bitter herbs). Horseradish is the No. 1 contender for that title at our tables, but the sages indicate a preference for lettuce instead.

Purim begins on Saturday evening. We joyously celebrate the survival of the Jewish people, who almost perished because of one person’s hatred. Although the events of the megillah that we read on this night may seem far-fetched, what might others say when they read the chronicles of our own generation about events in Israel and in other parts of our world where Jews are vilified? Purim is a holiday in which we celebrate our connections. We are obligated to fulfill four mitzvoth on this holiday. What connects each of these mitzvoth to one another is their relationship to the unity of the Jewish people. I shall explain. Come and learn…

One of the things that I have enjoyed most about living in Beverly is my infrequent walks along the beach. If I have a single regret at this time in my life, it is the fact that I have not taken advantage of strolling daily on the sand and taking in the sights and the sounds as the tides come in and recede. Even when a storm is lurking out at sea and the waters churn more vigorously as they hit the shore, they evoke a sense of awe that cannot be captured in other places. I recently came across a poem that I share with you below as we begin the journey in our spiritual lives from Purim to Passover, and prepare ourselves once again for the seder and the meaning of freedom in our lives:

In my first pulpit in San Francisco, I had the distinct pleasure of teaching pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah students a class titled “Family Video Project.” The class, which was endorsed by the San Francisco Bureau of Jewish Education, was designed to teach young adults about their historical roots by working together in producing a video of their family history. The students were encouraged to ask questions regarding their family origins and how they came to the Bay Area. As a final project they were required to interview a family member on videotape while a classmate ran the camera. My class decided that they wanted to add something extra to the tape as each one told a family story that was memorable to them. Like an expose on 60 Minutes, you never know what might be revealed once the camera starts rolling. TBA has partnered with the Jewish Historical Society of the North Shore in a similar project that is designed to capture the stories of the individual Jews who helped shape the North Shore into the community it has become.