Turning Wisdom into Oral Torah

Our Written Torah is fixed and final.  Its sequence of letters, spacings, stories and commands is sacred and static. A scribal error of even a single letter invalidates the entire scroll. Its authority derives from its constancy. Our Oral Torah is the opposite—it is always changing and expanding.  Not a second passes that does not leave it enriched by some new insight discovered in that moment somewhere on the planet. The Oral Torah lives and evolves.

When the People are Ready the Obstacles Dissolve

Tisha B’av 2017.
Enemies are the primary obstacle to quality of life.  If they would just disappear, we could finally focus on our soul work instead of getting sidetracked by the need for self-defense. But it’s not so simple.

A Short Discourse on Freedom

Pesach 2016 /5776 The reward phase of history called the world-to-come is characterized by unfettered freedom.

Like it Or Not, We Are In This Together

Shavuot 2014 / 5774 One could depict the whole course of history as the process by which Israel assimilates its Torah into the heart, bones, cells and the spaces of its being.

Shavuot 2011 / 5771

Every person and creature is hooked up to one or another of these 600,000 spiritual dynasties who received the Torah at Sinai.

Shavuot 2009 / 5769

Shavuot, the anniversary of the Torah’s revelation, is called the marriage ceremony between the Jewish people and HaShem. 

Shavuot 2008 / 5768

The Torah’s revelation was the most profound manifestation of God that has ever transpired on the planet. Its impact continues to impel their generations to be seekers and servants of God and is certain to do so until the end of time.