In this week of American Thanksgiving, our Torah reading tells of Jacob's adventures that begin with the extraordinary dream of the ladder of angels. How do some of Jacob's stories connect to giving thanks?!

In Parshat Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9), Rebecca gives birth to very unidentical twins, Jacob and Esau, who fight in the womb. There don't seem to be enough blessings to go around, even though these archetypes lead different nations. Meanwhile their father Isaac reopens the wells that his father dug, naming them in very revealing ways.

When Abraham sends his servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for his son Isaac, it is clear to this faithful servant that the most important quality is hesed, kindness. He finds Rebecca at the well and she immediately offers water for the people and the camels, passing the test. Lovingkindness can be so simple and it can change destiny.

In the continuing journey of Abraham and Sarah, Vayera, this week's parsha of vision and lifting eyes, there are two starkly contrasting stories of welcoming strangers. Hospitality, hachnassat orachim, is deep obligation in Jewish tradition and we learn much about it here.

Some reflections on some of the lessons of some recent travel adventures - lessons of the road! Lech L'cha in the Torah begins with instruction for Abraham and Sarah to leave all that they know and go on a journey to an unknown destination. This episode includes a beautiful blessing from John O'Donahue's book "To Bless the Space Between us."

After a powerful day at Gettysburg National Park with rabbinic colleagues, a conversation with Rabbi Neil Blumofe, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, Texas, reflecting on the bloody battle, Abraham Lincoln and Noah.

As the cycle of our sacred fall holidays comes to its conclusion, we reflect on the symbols and rituals through welcoming guests, shaking the lulav and dancing with the Torah. As soon as the cycle ends, we begin again.

In a terrifying world, what does it mean to enter into a Sukkah, into the Festival of Sukkot, which the rabbis call Zman Simchataynu, the Season of our Joy?

This week ends with Yom Kippur, the Holy of Holies on the Jewish calendar, known as Yoma in Aramaic, the day. The liturgical heart of this intensely powerful day is vidui, confession. What does it mean to confess? Gmar chatimah tovah - may we be sealed in the book!

Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, begins on Wednesday night, September 20th. Among the many themes of this awesome day, are those of memory and birth, as we imagine the world being born and renewed. May we remember what is forgotten, find what is lost and birth all that is potential into the world for healing and renewal!