We have entered the darkest month of the year, but it's also the month of miracles.

The Torah so far is full of fraught family relationships and great life challenges, easily reflected in today's world.

But it's also full of angels, adventure, and taking chances. Many blessings to be found--and miracles as well, despite everything. And Torah can serve as a guide for how to get through it all.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

I'm a month late in getting this on the podcast, but it's still worth a listen. It's about immediately post-elections, a funeral, and a MAGA rally at Madison Square Garden. Good blessings that are still valid, too...

This is a complex episode that blends my experiences on Yom Kippur, a wedding I officiated the day after, and the final parsha of the year. I hope you enjoy it!

What is it we're really doing on Yom Kippur? Because if we don't believe in sin, and maybe especially don't believe in God, then what is it? It's actually pretty deep. Take a listen.

How do we know when to trust our intuition? How do we get to a place where we can trust others? That's what I explore today. Dare I ask that we have a sweet new year?

Last week, I found myself in very different worlds, closing off the outside world, as I did two funerals and a wedding. I closed off my feelings for what was happening in the wider world, aware that I could not handle all at once. And then I returned to "real life" and the news. It wasn't easy...a part of life we all have to navigate as we come in and out of different places.

A beautiful poem that I tend to read for funerals...by Mark Nepo

Have you seen A Discovery of Witches, or read the book? Such incredible lessons among the bloodthirsty vampires, powerthirsty witches, and...I'm not sure what to say about the demons, they seem so tame in comparison. There are lessons about racism, but most of all about hidden powers, powers we don't even know we have...Take a listen, take a watch, leave a comment...

If we can face the things we most fear in life, maybe we can turn the fears--what feel like curses--into blessings. Shabbat Shalom!

This week, I take inspiration from those who came before me, including Mary Oliver. Short and sweet. Shabbat Shalom