Is There A God? #536
Recently, while waiting to board a flight in Washington, I wandered into a bookstore looking for something to read.
Rabbi Huberman's blog
Eye for Eye: Leaving Revenge Behind #535
Torah, Sexuality and #MeToo #534
The Gossip Epidemic #533
Most Jews are aware the Torah forbids us from eating pork.
Why Jews love to argue! #532
A woman who I am currently studying with towards conversion recently posed a question after attending her fiancé's family Seder.
The Story of the Hardened Heart #531
the story of the hardened heart
It was exactly eight years ago this Pesach that I learned a meaningful lesson, both as a rabbi and as a human being.
Her name was Sharon. She has since passed into the world of souls.
The Chametz We Carry in Our Souls #530
The chametz we carry in our souls
My job as a rabbi isn't always to encourage congregants to be more observant. In fact, there have been times when I've encouraged some in our congregation to "take their foot off the gas."
Sounds a bit crazy, I know.
Study Without Work Means Little #529
Study Without Work Means Little
Maimonides (1135-1204), one of Judaism's greatest teachers, was infuriated by a trend in his own lifetime -- one which continues today.
A National Day of Unplugging #528
A National Day of Unplugging
It isn't unusual for a prospective member visiting our congregation for the first time to make a bit of a disclaimer: "I'm really not that religious."
At first, I wasn't really sure what that meant.
From Amalek to Parkland -- How Do We Remember? #527
From Amalek to Parkland -- How Do We Remember?
There is a new movement within the United States which is showing success in reversing negative feelings towards Israel.
Reflections on Parkland Shootings #526
Reflections on Parkland Shootings
What if God was one of us....?
Just a stranger on the bus...
tryin' to make his way home?
Rabbi Irwin Update #524: Two Torahs at Sinai
Two Torahs at Sinai
The Talmud tells us of the day that Moses was jettisoned more than a thousand years into the future, into the classroom of one of our greatest Sages, Rabbi Akiva.
Rabbi Irwin Update #523: God Hates Trash Talk
God Hates Trash Talk
About ten years ago, a television ad appeared for Nike shoes, which turns my stomach to this day.
It opens with a group of ten-year-olds playing a polite game of basketball on an inner city court. A car pulls up with some NBA players who stop to observe.
The 2018 Plague of Darkness #522
The 2018 Plague of Darkness
Hello darkness, my old friend;
#521: Moses -- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Moses -- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
#520: The Power of Your Hebrew Name
The Power of Your Hebrew Name
#519: Your Ethical Will -- How Will Your Be Remembered?
Your Ethical Will -- How Will Your Be Remembered?
#518: Pharaoh, Chanukah and the Environment
Pharaoh, Chanukah and the Environment
We live in a world where increasingly we are referred to as consumers rather than citizens.
We live in a disposable world. Cellphones are upgraded every two years, while old ones languish in drawers until they are eventually tossed.
#517: Silence Breakers - Forgotten Women of the Torah
Silence Breakers - Forgotten Women of the Torah
Years before I decided to become a rabbi, our congregation in Canada interviewed several people for our then-vacant rabbinical position.
One candidate, leading the Amidah prayer, began chanting the names of Judaism's patriarchs and matriarchs.
We are Wrestlers with God #515
We are Wrestlers with God
It is saddening, in my pastoral work, to see how consistently siblings, spouses, and friends will hold on to conflicts, no matter how old or "past due" they are.
Rabbi Irwin Update #515: Running from Confrontation
Running from Confrontation
About two weeks ago, I attended a lecture given by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, one of Judaism's foremost authors, philosophers and storytellers.
Judaism's "Flawed" Role Models #514
Judaism's "Flawed" Role Models
Before he passed away in February 2014, my mentor, Rabbi Joseph Ehrenkranz, shared a profound insight with me regarding why he believed the Torah is based on truth.
#513: Hospitality -- Judaism's Family Business
Hospitality -- Judaism's Family Business
It was twenty years ago that Patte and I experenced from two young children one of Judaism's most important values.
The Real Sin of Sodom and Gemorrah #512
The Real Sin of Sodom and Gemorrah
There are many passages in the Torah which have been misinterpreted in order to pervert God's word.
Go Forth: My Personal Journey #511
Go Forth: My Personal Journey
It was a rainy evening in November 2003 when I picked my wife up at Edmonton International Airport.
She got into the car and reached for her seatbelt. "I have something important to share with you," she said.
Noah, alcohol and the challenge of addiction #510
Noah, alcohol and the challenge of addiction #510
There are two festivals of the year during which Jews are actually encouraged to drink.
Punchline of the Torah #509
Punchline of the Torah
There are times when I believe that we make religion and Judaism more complicated that they need to be.
Our tradition is limned with countless interpretations and commentaries which have produced thousands of rules and regulations fully known to a chosen few, to the point that so many everyday Jews are convinced they are "bad" Jews.
The Most Vulnerable Among Us #508
The Most Vulnerable Among Us
There is a somewhat disturbing passage -- or more precisely a troubling commandment -- closing this week's Torah portion.
We are told that, whenever we encounter descendents of the Amalek nation, we are supposed to destroy them: their warriors, their families, their possessions -- everything.
This commandment seems so out of character with the spirit of Judaism.
Unity Against Hatred? #506
Unity Against Hatred?
See, ("Re'eh"), is the word which begins this week's Torah portion.
Indeed, there was much for Americans and the world to see this past weekend.
Not on Bread Alone #505
Not On Bread Alone
During the 1990s, I served on a senior committee which provided advice to the journalism department at a college in Calgary, Canada.
