For a number of years, I went through life without wearing a wristwatch, except as a decorative accessory on the rare occasion we went out to a classy affair. It wasn’t hard to get to that point: I was not comfortable with metal bands (concern about them catching my wrist hairs and a mild aversion to the aesthetics), and the sweat factor over a couple of summers didn’t make me happy about leather or fabric bands.

Moshe espies a burning bush in the wilderness. Curious, Moshe approaches the bush. Adonai (God) calls out to him, “Do not come closer! Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground!” (exodus 3:5)

Every Friday morning, Ellie and I “do Shabbat” with our preschoolers. The kids and teachers sit on a rug, we are on little-kid chairs. We have a routine that includes songs, a brief story, a word of Torah and a blessing. And, of course, grape juice and challah.

The closest thing to shira b’tzibbur that I’ve experienced in the United States is when, during a wedding, bar mitzvah or the like, the band (or, more likely, the DJ) plays “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. Everyone joins in. With gusto!

Every week, Shabbat has consistent themes: respite from the quotidian, opportunity to connect with spirituality, tradition, sacred liturgy and text, with family, friends and community.

Two writes don’t make a wrong. Two wrongs don’t make a right. No right on red, don’t lose your head.

We had tried to sign up for a Friday slot at Mt Carmel Cemetery to help with the restoration of the toppled tombstones, but all the slots on all three days were filled. So, with a few others from the Shore community, I was at the rally in Philadelphia on Thursday; “Stand against hate” was the motto.

After Tuesday’s election, half our country’s voters seem to be ecstatic and half appear to be morose, even angry. That would likely be the case no matter which major party candidate won.

As Torah tells it, the earliest humans’ years of life ranged from 365 (Enoch / Chanoch) to 969 (Methuselah / Metushelach). Enoch presents a challenge: He “walked with God” for 300 years and “all” his days were 365 years; at that point, he again “walked with God.” Was walking with God an early expression of belief or worship? Did he die?

My recent posts...What a Story! Simchat Torah morning, after hakafot (a couple of which were done with our preschoolers carrying toy Torahs and flags, clutching lollipops) and Torah reading, the scrolls returned to the ark… “Thank you to the Shirat Hayam Literary...