Soulful Shalom

In this episode, we explore the concept of yirah in Judaism, which encompasses both fear and awe, through the story of Moses at the burning bush. We discuss how this duality can guide our responses to challenges in the modern political landscape. Instead of allowing fear to drive division and exclusion, we can choose awe—embracing humility, reverence, and a sense of interconnectedness. By choosing awe over fear, we align our actions with Jewish values, leading to more just and compassionate decisions in both personal and political spheres

Judaism has a rich tradition of valuing community and justice. Judaism teaches us that being part of a community means contributing to its well-being. The Talmud emphasizes the importance of communal responsibility, stating that all of us are responsible for one another.

Hey Family,

In this podcast episode, I discuss the harmful effects of comparing the struggles of different marginalized groups, particularly antisemitism and anti-Black racism. While we can acknowledge the pain of antisemitism, we must emphasize that these comparisons minimize the unique suffering of Black individuals and communities, oversimplify complex issues, and create unnecessary competition. I advocate for empathy, solidarity, and open dialogue between communities as a better way forward to fight against all forms of hate and discrimination.

I also wrote about this in more detail in a May edition of my newsletter; the link is below.

https://open.substack.com/pub/rabbisandra/p/unity-not-competition-dismantling-394

The state of Louisiana passed a law requiring schools to display the 10 Commandments in public schools.

Lately, my mind has been preoccupied with the nature of our conversations—the very way we exchange ideas and navigate through differences. In an era marked by quick judgments and digital debates, the art of dialogue seems all but forgotten. 

https://rabbisandra.substack.com

On this Shabbat, we enter into the last book of the Torah. We begin the book of Devarim also known as the Deuteronomy.  In Hebrew, Devarim means words and this book consists almost entirely of the final words of Moses, it is his farewell address to the Israelites. Oddly, this is the man who once tried to turn down the job on the grounds that he was not “a man of words.”

As we begin Devarim the Israelites are standing on the bank of the Jordan River, poised to cross over and enter, finally, into the Promised Land. Moses stands for the last time before the people he has led for the past forty years, knowing that his days of leadership, and days of life, are coming to an end, and that he himself would not be allowed to enter into the Land. It is under these sad and dramatic circumstances that Moses launches into his final speech.

If you knew you had one speech left to give what would it be how would you leave your mark on this earth. What message would you deliver? I imagine you would also remember the fun times and the sad times together. You might even Lament a little. 

Shabbat evening we begin the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av. Tisha B’Av is the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av and it is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. 

On this day, the ninth of Av, a series of major tragedies of the Jewish people occurred including the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem, massacres, pogroms expulsions Tisha B’av is A day that many believe is a day destined for tragedy. On this day we mourn and read from the book of lamentations and we lament. We ask Why? And How 

In the wake of the horrific tragedies that we experiencing as a nation, such mass shootings, family separations I take a note from the book of psalms and ask ad matai - how long will this go on? … How long will you feed your people tears as their daily bread, making them drink great measures of tears?” (Psalm 80:4-5). 

The end of the book of Lamentations asks God “why have you forsaken us and then pleads for us to be restored, for God to take us back and renew our days of old. Please take this time, this Shabbat, this holiday of Tisha B’av to sit with where we are as a people, where are we as a nation and we too can be restored to the days of old.