Conversations with the Rabbi

Poisoned Wells by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

If Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness doesn't encompass who we sleep with, who we build our lives with, where we learn and with whom, and when we start our families, then what does it mean?

This Is Why We Practice by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

The Rainbow And The Matrix by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

How many bullets? Forget about gun laws or sentence guidelines and background checks or red flag laws. Common sense says that an 18-year-old kid buying 375 bullets should raise a red flag in anyone’s mind. Right now I am not trying to debate whether or not amending the 2nd Amendment, with laws restricting gun ownership, will end gun violence. I indeed do believe that we are suffering from far more than lax gun laws or overreach and under-regulation of guns. This is Texas, and last I checked, this is supposed to be the buckle of the Bible belt. And close to the center of that buckle, we are taught to not place a stumbling block before the blind; to build a parapet around one’s roof to protect a guest rolling off while asleep; to not stand idly by the blood of your brother. AND we are taught:

Lo tisna et achicha bilvavecha; hochei’ach tochi’ach et amitecha v’lo tisa alav chet.

Do not hate your brother or sister in your heart; you must admonish, yes, admonish them or you will bear some of their sin. (Leviticus 19:17)

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An Act Of Faith? by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

The Jewish Position On Abortion by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

That said, I am not going to make a strong argument for or against the Exodus “happening.” Not to sound too glib, but for me it comes down to that question about the tree in the woods. If it falls, but there is no one to hear it, did it truly fall? That question is really about relevance. Does it matter? Does it affect our lives? Does the Exodus change the way we engage in that business deal we are in the middle of right now? Does it cause us to consider sharing more of our wealth with those who do not have enough? Does it inspire us to spend time on improving the arc of the lives of those who didn’t have our luck to have been born into this life? These are the kinds of questions that arise for me when preparing for, thinking about, and observing Passover, all of which boil down to a single question: “Do we get it?” This, I will submit, is THE fundamental question of Passover.

In case you were wondering exactly what gas-lighting is, THIS IS IT! Making a claim so outrageous that you force others to prove it wrong, thereby making them responsible for the mess you’ve created.

I write this not from the point of view of political science or as a governmental finger pointer, but more as a prayer.  I do not want to sit back and pretend that any of this is OK, “to be expected,” or “the price of admission.”  As a Prophet of the people of Israel (I am neither a Prophet nor the son of a Prophet), but at times I must step into the Prophet’s shoes and declare, “we are moving in a direction that is becoming our demise.”  Of course, in many ways, this is not new.  And there are so many who have suffered long before I raise these words today.  We have stuck ourselves into a vice grip that is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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