The Rabbi's Husband

Joining Mark today is his good friend, Pastor Dr. Michael Fisher, leader of the Greater Zion Church in Compton. He and Mark met in Jerusalem at one of the ‘Day for the Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem’ events held by Eagles’ Wings, where, according to Mark, Michael delivered the greatest speech about Israel that anybody had ever heard. Michael runs the JT Foundation, a community development corporation, as well as an initiative which supports formerly incarcerated individuals acquire employment with local companies. Michael has chosen Exodus 3:4 to discuss with Mark today.

Michael begins by sharing the valuable advice which his father once gave him, the reasons why today’s passage is so meaningful to him, and his perspective on God’s response to social injustice. He then goes into detail about his powerful month long series about this passage and its relevance to recent events throughout the United States and the world, as well as the challenge he posed to his congregation. He and Mark also explore God’s call to see through a new, pure lens, His ability to change and grow, and the importance of titles. Michael concludes the conversation with the lessons he has learned about mankind and how they relate to today’s passage. As you listen to all that Michael has to teach us today in bringing the story of the burning bush to vivid life, you, too, will undoubtedly be touched by his passion, intelligence, and insight which so impressed and inspired Mark that fortuitous day in Jerusalem when these two first met.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“God doesn’t need an advocate, He just needs a reporter.”

“It was God’s response to social injustice. It was His response to slavery.”

“It’s always reminded me that God actually cares…for me, that’s comforting to know.”

“This go around, it was like God was very strategic in drawing the common man and common woman’s attention to a situation that, otherwise, they would have overlooked.”

“God wants a partner.”

“God basically dismisses theology while encouraging action.”

“I will be what I will be.”

“If we could just kind of figure out how to get us back to…taking the sandals off, taking the shoes off, and just coming back and looking through the pure eyes that we’re all human…then I think that we’ll start seeing us moving to a path forward.”

Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him out of the bush: “Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Here I am.” https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.3.4?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Mark’s guest on the podcast today is his good friend Pastor Jose Diaz, whom he met two years ago as they journeyed together with Eagles’ Wings through Israel. The passage Jose has chosen to discuss with Mark is Genesis 2:3. Their conversation today revolves around the importance of the Sabbath, the difference in the way that Jews and Christians honor and observe it, and the fact that it is of paramount importance. Jose shares the struggles that Christian leaders encounter these days, and he and Mark explore the power of the Shabbat dinner for Jews and Christians alike. In essence, today’s episode is a call to understand the Torah definition of rest and to restore or maintain the sacredness of the Sabbath. Take the time today to stop, reflect, and contemplate with Mark and Jose about this first and great gift which God has given all of mankind. Episode Highlights:

The Torah’s definition of rest Stopping to take account of our lives Comparing the ways that Christians and Jews honor and celebrate the Sabbath The number one thing that Christian leaders struggle with Shabbat dinner God’s gift of the Sabbath to everybody and His first lesson to humanity The purposes of the Sabbath The lessons that Jose has learned about mankind Jose’s journey to Christianity

Quotes:

“He creates purposeful rest.”

“One day a week, I’ll only be conscious of God.”

“At some point you have to stop and contemplate, “What should I do next? How could I be better?’”

“The truth is this, for the most part today…I don’t believe that the biblical understanding and concept of rest, I don’t believe we’re seeing it in Christianity.”

“Because the Jews kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath kept the Jews.”

“If you get rid of something that’s a core part of the human experience, I think you lose a major element of what it means to be human…we’re seeing this all over the world.”

“It’s as though the Sabbath is calling all of us to it, and to God.”

“There’s so much more to life than what we can see right now.”

“Even…the worst among us can be saved, and can be loved.”

“My life was completely and radically transformed.”

Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it God ceased from all the work of creation that He had done. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.2.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Mark’s very special guest on the podcast is none other than the distinguished Alan Dershowitz. Alan’s career is perhaps the most storied, consequential and important one in all of American legal history. He has taught at Harvard Law School for 50 years and is the celebrated author of dozens of books, including Mark’s favorite, The Genesis of Justice: Ten Stories of Biblical Injustice that Led to the Ten Commandments and Modern Law. While he has defended numerous high profile clients, he devotes half of his practice to pro bono work, particularly in the defense of women who have defended themselves against abusive husbands. He and Mark grew to know each other through their work with United Hatzalah, where Alan is a generous contributor and is always willing to do anything to help save Jewish, Christian, and Muslim lives in Israel. The passage he has chosen to discuss with Mark is the Akeida.

Alan begins the discussion by sharing his experiences with both the constructive and destructive power of words, and then he and Mark embark upon a thoroughly insightful analysis of today’s passage. They discuss Abraham’s argument with and faith in God, the paradox of defending strangers which continues to this day, and the nature of questions, balance, absolutes and law as presented in the Bible. Alan offers intriguing thoughts about the Bible verses to which he frequently returns in his legal work, reviews one of his cases in which he invoked the Akeida story, and summarizes the nature of Judaism. To cap off this fascinating conversation, Alan shares the lessons he has learned about mankind throughout his extensive career. This episode is one which exemplifies its opening premise extolling the sheer power of words as host and guest passionately examine ‘the most profound words, not only in the history of Judaism, but in the history of law’.

Episode Highlights:

Alan’s experiences with the power of words His analysis of the Akeida and the lessons it contains Arguing with God God’s test of Abraham The paradox of defending strangers Questions, balance, and absolutes in the Bible The concepts of law presented in the Bible The Bible verses to which Alan returns in his legal work One of Alan’s case which he one based on the Akeida story The nature of Judaism The lessons that Alan has learned about mankind

Quotes:

“Words can create a career, and words can try to destroy a career.”

“I wish people would take ‘bearing false witness’ more seriously.”

“God, you’re not above the law.”

“It’s the only religion I know of in the world in where a person is praised, praised for arguing with God.”

“We have to strike a balance between defending the rights of others and defending our own rights.”

“The Bible is the best book of questions ever written.”

“You can’t have statutory law until you’ve lived through the experiences of searching for justice and trying to define justice in the activities in imperfect human beings.”

“I think Abraham did not believe in the end that God would allow him to kill his completely innocent child…it was more a test of his faith.”

“We have to learn how to argue the way that God argued with Abraham and Abraham argued with God, and dialogue is so incredibly important at a divisive time such as the one that we’re now living through.”

“There are no perfect answers to difficult questions.”

“Let’s strive to be better.”

Genesis 22:2 And He said, “Take your son, your favored one, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.22.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

On today’s episode, our Rabbi’s husband is joined by his great friend, and a Cantor’s husband, Rabbi Ben Spratt. Rabbi Spratt spent his early years exploring his Jewish identity, journeying through the many worlds of Judaism before finding a home within the Reform movement, and in 2008, he was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America where he was the recipient of many awards and prizes. Currently, he is the beloved Senior Associate Rabbi of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the Rabbi-in-Residence of Rodeph Sholom School. Rabbi Spratt has chosen Genesis 3:24 to discuss with Mark.

He begins the discussion by sharing his Jewish journey, precisely what interests him about the Garden of Eden, and both the conventional reading of today’s passage as well as a more radical reading of it. He and Mark then explore the side of God that tests us, the significance of choosing knowledge over immortality, and Judaism’s perspective on living forever. Rabbi Spratt then describes his approach to supporting those who are dealing with death, and reveals what he feels is the path to knowledge, connection, and relationship, as well as the lessons he has learned about mankind. Today’s enlightening conversation offers you the opportunity to go beyond the conventional and expand your understanding of this magnificent text with two passionate and insightful seekers of biblical truth.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“God expelling them from the Garden of Eden actually sets up the idea that the only aspect, perhaps, that distinguishes us from God is that we are mortal. And that I think is a very radical read.”

“Maybe this is the very path of what Torah is all about - that part of what we’re called to do is to bring that innate curiosity, the inquisitive spirit that makes us want to plumb the depths…the divine aspect of us which is reaching for more and more knowledge.”

“In the Jewish imagination…our origin story is one where we’re reaching actually for knowledge instead of immortality.”

“You live forever through the deeds that you do in this chronologically finite life.”

“I believe that we are all wired just to be boundary crossers…our heroes are always the boundary crossers.”

“Our most fundamental need is connectedness.”

Genesis 3:24 He drove the man out, and stationed east of the garden of Eden the cherubim and the fiery ever-turning sword, to guard the way to the tree of life. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.3.24?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

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Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, Chief Executive Officer of the Bnai Zion Foundation, joins Mark for a lively discussion on today’s episode. Rabbi Lamm is a graduate of Yeshiva University, and has served as Special Advisor to the President of that illustrious university. He has also completed his PhD in ancient Judaism and Christianity at Princeton, and his writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Jerusalem Post, Tablet Magazine, and First Things Magazine. The passage he has selected to discuss with Mark is Deuteronomy 4:6.

Rabbi Lamm begins this discussion by sharing the context of the passage and his reasons for selecting it. He and Mark then examine the significance of Moses’ oration in Deuteronomy, how it outlines the mission of the Jewish people, and how it establishes the role of ‘wisdom and understanding’ in both religion and politics. They then explore the many ways that this passage lives on today in its call for the Jewish people to be role models for the world, the need for them to have a land in which to build and display this beacon, and they also demonstrate the influence the Bible had with America’s Founding Fathers and in the US Constitution. Rabbi Lamm finishes the episode by relating the lessons he has learned regarding mankind – lessons that present a moving tribute to the legacy of his grandfather, and which are acutely relevant to the times we are living in now. Today’s conversation is a thoughtful and dynamic analysis of no less than ‘the speech that built our civilization’, filled with the passion and insight that such a singularly formidable text requires and deserves, and one that will undoubtedly keep you thinking long after you have listened to it.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“Not only is this the first, as you put it, biblical commentary in history…it’s also where Moses, for the first time, defines his earlier life as a work.”

“Religion practiced correctly is politics.”

“What Moses is basically saying is that the Hebrew Bible itself, the Bible, is the best and most ideal expression of political life that could possibly exist.”

“It means building a just and virtuous and loving society that can be a beacon of light to all the other nations of the Earth, to inspire them, not to become exactly like us, but to become the best version of themselves.”

“If the US Constitution is America’s founding and binding legal founding document, then the Hebrew Bible is really America’s founding moral document.”

“At the core of the human experience, the thing that will save us is the ability to laugh and the ability to smile.”

“There is no limit to what you can accomplish as long as you don’t care who gets the credit.”

“I find it very comforting to know that his shoulders are available for all of us to stand on.”

Deuteronomy 4:6 Observe them faithfully, for that will be proof of your wisdom and discernment to other peoples, who on hearing of all these laws will say, “Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people.” https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.4.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

This week, Mark is delighted and honored to welcome his great friend, Dr. Jon Fielder, to the podcast. Having received his Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine in 1999, and completed his training in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Jon soon sensed the calling of God and moved to Kenya to serve with World Medical Mission and Africa Inland Mission focusing on the care of HIV and the training of Kenyan healthcare providers. Together, he and Mark have also founded African Mission Healthcare, a non-profit organization strengthening mission hospitals to aid those in greatest need. The passage Jon has selected to discuss today is Genesis 50:20.

Their discussion begins with Jon sharing his background and offering his perspective on what it means to be a missionary. He then describes his reasons for selecting today’s passage and, with Mark, explores how the themes of God’s sovereignty and paradox of faith are found not only in this passage, but throughout the world as well. He also provides stirring examples of those who have inspired him in his life and his work, and then offers some of the profound lessons which he has learned about mankind. Given Jon’s extensive knowledge of scripture, passion for his faith, and determination to put that faith into action, it is no wonder that he and Mark would end up as great friends. They are shining examples of committed leaders who bring the lessons of the Torah to life, and you will undoubtedly be moved and inspired by their conversation today.

Episode Highlights:

Jon’s background His perspective on what it means to be a missionary Jon’s reasons for his scripture selection Paradox of faith and God’s sovereignty in both this passage and in the world The inspirations in Jon’s life The lessons about mankind which Jon has learned

Quotes:

“Part of my Christian calling was to confront that suffering and to witness to God’s love the same way that I had experienced it as a Christian.”

“The most frequent commandment in the Torah, way more than anything else, is ‘fear not’.”

“The idea of forgiveness, which we take for granted, was invented by Joseph in the moment when he revealed himself to them.”

“The Bible tells us to walk in His ways, and that’s exactly what you were doing, what you are doing.”

“What appears to be meant for harm can actually be to our good.”

“God holds all the power and keeps His plans hidden until events come to pass.”

“The redemption may come much further down the line.”

“Where does such joy come from? It comes from the village, it comes from the church, it comes from family, faith, and it gives people hope.”

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.27?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Mark welcomes Whitney Tilson, CEO of Empire Financial Research, lifelong entrepreneur, dedicated philanthropist, and avid mountaineer, to today’s episode. As a graduate with distinction from both Harvard College and Harvard Business School, Whitney has become a prolific author, a frequent financial commentator on a variety of television networks, and has been featured on 60 Minutes, and in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. While he acknowledges that he is neither Jewish nor particularly religious, Whitney has chosen Leviticus 19:16 to discuss with Mark today.

In this discussion, Whitney shares his personal history, his connection to the Jewish faith, and just why the selected passage is so relevant to his life, particularly during 2020. He goes on to describe his work with the evangelical Christian organization, Samaritan’s Purse, the lasting friendships he made there, and his choice to set aside differences in order to work with them for a greater purpose. Whitney finishes by exploring the lessons he has learned about mankind, in particular, the notion of playing defense in life and marriage, and the importance of engaging and responding in positive ways in relationships. Today, you have the unique opportunity to meet and listen to Whitney Tilson - a man who has lived the very scripture passage he has selected, a man who has risen to his mother’s challenge of taking his good fortune and making the world a better place, a man whose story brings to life the timeless instructional and inspirational nature of the Torah.

Episode Highlights:

Whitney’s personal history Why today’s passage has been relevant to Whitney throughout his life, and particularly in 2020 Whitney’s work with Samaritan’s Purse and the friendships he made His family’s history of helping others Setting aside differences for the greater good The importance of the Bible What Whitney has learned about mankind as a leader in the investment and non-profit world Some of the messages from Whitney’s upcoming book about ‘playing defense’ Micro-interactions and engaging and responding in positive ways in marriages

Quotes:

“Like so many things in the Bible, it was a revolutionary idea that is now completely familiar to us.”

“It felt good to try and make a difference and help my city address this terrible pandemic that killed more than 20 000 fellow New Yorkers.”

“You lived this passage.”

“We put our differences aside to save lives in the short term.”

“You have a duty to take your good fortune and make the world a better place, and help others.”

“I’m really proud of my friends and my fellow New Yorkers.”

“In both cases, you refuse to stand idly by the blood of your neighbor.”

“I always encourage young people…to just read broadly.”

“It’s okay to take risks, but you want to have a mental framework that is focused on avoiding, to the extent possible, the big calamity.”

“My observation is that people treat their spouses worse than they would ever treat most of their friends.”

“We are a function of our actions, and we can control our actions.”

“The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they’re too heavy to be broken.”

Leviticus 19:16 Do not deal basely with your countrymen. Do not profit by the blood of your fellow: I am the LORD. https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.19.16?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Mark is delighted to welcome Rabbi Matt Gewirtz to the podcast today. Rabbi Gewirtz began his tenure as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in July 2006, and is the President of the Coalition of Religious Leaders for the State of New Jersey. He is the author of The Gift of Grief: Finding Peace, Transformation and Renewed Life after Great Sorrow, often appears as a commentator on religion on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe’ and CNN’s ‘State of the Union’, and has recently started his own television series as a tri-anchor of PBS’s (NJTV), ‘A Matter of Faith with an Imam, Bishop and Rabbi’. Rabbi Gewirtz has chosen 1Samuel3 to discuss with Mark today.

Before summarizing the passage, Rabbi Gewirtz shares the context in which it occurs, reviews the significance of the names of those involved in the story, and explores the notions of remembering not to forget, and recognizing when you are being called as they appear in both the passage and in current times. He then explains the notion of Angels according to Jewish thinking, where such Angels can be found in the world today, and reflects upon the search for meaning and God which many people engage in as they grow older. He and Mark also share some of the ways that Jews and Christians can learn from each other and explore the contribution to healing that awakening God in people can bring, and Rabbi Gewirtz finishes by sharing two profound lessons he has learned throughout his life. As you listen in today, you will be astounded by the many lessons that are revealed in the chosen passage, you will be awestruck by the insights shared, and you will undoubtedly continue to ponder the wisdom offered here for a long time to come.

Episode Highlights:

Rabbi Gewirtz’s context for today’s passage and summary of the story itself The significance of the names of those involved in this story and the language of ‘calling’ Remembering not to forget Recognizing when you are being ‘called’ Angels as defined by Jewish thinking and their presence in our lives today Congregants looking for meaning, particularly on ‘the back nine’ Jews and Christians learning from each other Healing through awakening God in others Two lessons about mankind that Rabbi Gewirtz has learned

Quotes:

“Make sure that you never forget and you always remember God and your relationship with God.”

“Sometimes…the most important thing in the world could be calling at you and…you don’t see it.”

“We think that being uniquely qualified for something means that we get it on the first time.”

“We are not perfect people but we have moments of perfection that represents God’s presence on Earth, and we don’t have to be that forever.”

“Punctuating our life with acting in ways that perpetuate sacred moments.”

“There’s something powerful about awakening God in people that does contribute to the process of healing.”

“The parts of us that become angelic…exist within the layers of our imperfection.”

1 Samuel 3 Young Samuel was in the service of the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; prophecy was not widespread. https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.3.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Rabbi Gewirtz's Twitter: https://twitter.com/rabbimat?lang=en

Amanda Berman joins Mark today for a dynamic conversation regarding Numbers 27:1 and its profound significance throughout the centuries. Amanda is the Founder and Executive Director of the ‘Zioness Movement’, an initiative which empowers and activates Zionists on the progressive left to stand proudly in social justice spaces as Jews and Zionists. She has been a civil rights attorney fighting anti-Semitism legally, spearheading such groundbreaking initiatives as the international action against Kuwait Airways for its discrimination against Israeli nationals, and the dual cases against San Francisco State University for its constitutional and civil rights violations against Jewish and Israeli students and community members. As you will discover, Amanda is a highly intelligent, articulate, and passionate speaker whose commitment to the advancement and protection of the Jewish people and the Zionist community shines forth brilliantly during today’s discussion.

Amanda begins this discussion by summarizing the story, looking at the significance of the daughters’ names within the story, and explaining the two powerful reasons why they bring their complaint to the leadership. She and Mark then analyze the daughters’ argument and discuss the logic of equality that is introduced during the story as well as the models of progressive change which are learned from it. They finish by noting the importance of significant incremental change both within this story and, indeed, throughout history, and Amanda shares the lessons about mankind which she has learned through her life and work. Today’s story is one of historic social transformation whose impact reverberates through society still today, providing yet another powerful example of the timeless value and wisdom of the Torah.

Episode Highlights:

Amanda’s summary of the story The significance of the daughters’ names The two powerful reasons why they bring a complaint to the leadership An analysis of their argument Establishing the logic of equality The models of progressive change learned from this story Significant incremental change The lessons about mankind that Amanda has learned

Quotes:

“They want to be part of the Zionist story. They’re women who believe that they should have the same rights as men as the Jews were settling in the land of Israel.”

“I think they also believed that even if they lived in a patriarchal society…I think that they believed that God wouldn’t see it that way, that God would say that women are equal.”

“If justice is to be served, we have to be able to inherit. We have to be able to pass on our father’s tradition.”

“God…unambiguously rules in favor of the five daughters.”

“This just might be the greatest single leap forward in a moment that has ever occurred in progressive thought.”

“They had the courage and they were welcome litigants before the bench.”

“I found myself, you know, less involved in the domestic issues that I cared about and I realized that it was because of this new manifestation of the anti-Semitism that existed there.”

“Making people aware that you can be both a social justice activist…and you can be a proud Zionist…that is a groundbreaking thing for some people.”

Numbers 27:1 The daughters of Zelophehad, of Manassite family—son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph—came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.27.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Links:

The Zioness homepage: _https://zioness.org/

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

This week Mark is extremely excited to welcome his very good friend, Rabbi Josh Stanton, to the podcast. Rabbi Josh was ordained from Hebrew Union College in 2013 where he was recognized for his accomplishments in many areas including academics and ecumenical relations. He has served as Associate Rabbi at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey, Associate Director of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College, Director of Communications for the Coexist Foundation, and is currently the very much beloved Senior Rabbi at the East End Temple in Manhattan. Rabbi Josh has worked with both Jewish and Christian communities in Europe and the Vatican, and has written on subjects as wide ranging as human condition in Buddhist and Muslim texts to modern day social justice. The passage he has selected to discuss is Exodus 18.

Rabbi Josh begins the discussion by revealing just who Jethro is, and then he and Mark provide an extensive analysis of the text, incorporating the thoughts of other great scholars. They then reflect upon the significance of names throughout the Torah, and draw a number of fascinating parallels and lessons from the passage and their relevance to the present day. Rabbi Josh finishes by offering the lessons he has learned about mankind, one of which is exemplified in this very passage which ‘resonates in so many areas of [his] life’. This dynamic conversation between two highly passionate and knowledgeable seekers of the truth demonstrates the powerful role that questioning plays in education and discovery, and reaffirms the incalculable value of the Torah as a timeless guide for us all.

Episode Highlights:

Who is Jethro? Mark and Rabbi Stanton’s analysis of the text The existential significance of names in the Torah The elements of this passage that offer parallels and lessons regarding present day powerful leaders and their children, work of Chaplains in hospitals, ‘user experience’, and trusted advisors What Josh has learned about mankind

Quotes:

“It is a passage that resonates in so many areas of my life, and I would venture to say brings forth the universal figure of Jethro, which I think all of us have in our lives.”

“And so this is a Torah portion about experimentation and it’s all catalyzed by that one unlikely figure, Moses’ father-in-law.”

“The majesty of parable grows up from the white space in the text itself.”

“Jethro almost understands the Israelites, and the incredible reality they have lived into, better than Moses does.”

“No one cares what you know until they know you care…Moses knows that Jethro cares, and therefore he accepts the rebuke…he hears it and he acts on it immediately.”

“We saw this in the last financial crisis, that what broke many companies was the inability of leaders to trust the people getting them information.”

“People need the affirmation of role and relationship.”

“Hear truth from whatever source it comes.”

“Our tradition, in many ways, is all about holding both…and in this case, at times of war, we can still find allies even though we need to protect ourselves from those who are enemies.”

Exodus 18 “Blessed be the LORD,” Jethro said, “who delivered you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.18?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en