They say that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I’m not so sure about that. This weekend, Jewish families all over the world will sit down at their tables for the Passover Seder. This season celebrates freedom; it acknowledges that somewhere in the depths of our history/mythology we were slaves. And that through forces humanContinueContinue reading “Moses and “Moses” – Celebrating Harriet Tubman”
Author Archives: mstreiffer
An Egalitarian Kotel
In the movie The Ten Commandments, Moses comes down the mountain with two tablets, containing the 10 laws that the Israelites are to follow. I love that movie. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. Jewish tradition tells says what happened at Sinai was far bigger than any 10 Commandments. It was even bigger thenContinueContinue reading “An Egalitarian Kotel”
Stranger in a Strange Land
“I have been a stranger in a strange land.” (Exodus 2:22) I am an American living in Canada. It’s not a major culture shock. Sure, there are differences – social, cultural, linguistic, political – between my country of origin and my country of residence. There are things that take getting used to; cultural assumptions thatContinueContinue reading “Stranger in a Strange Land”
Who wrote the Torah? A very good question
NOTE: this entry was cross-posted at Jewish Values Online. The great Rabbi Akiba used to tell this story: A fox once spotted a fish darting to and fro in the water. He asked the fish, “From whom are you fleeing?” And the fish answered, “From the fisherman’s net.” So the crafty fox offered, “Would youContinueContinue reading “Who wrote the Torah? A very good question”
Rabbi Micah Streiffer 