Opting out of the struggle is not an option
Abe Jacobs, Jewish wrestler
Read MoreReasonable, spiritual, authentic Judaism
Exploring a reasonable and relevant Judaism - authentic and current, inclusive and welcoming - Rabbi Jonathan opens and develops discussions delving into Jewish life, learning, and meaning. “Jewish and...” means Judaism enhanced because today's Judaism is: multi-faith, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, pluralist, pro-LGBTQ+, feminist, and multi-generational. “Jewish and…” starts with Jewish sources: Torah, Midrash, Talmud, Commentaries, Israel, Yiddish, Hebrew, Food, Klezmer, and anything else that connects us to our Jewish selves.
Abe Jacobs, Jewish wrestler
Read MoreBack to our parashat-ha-yom, daily Parashah, commentary heading into the High Holy Days, after a Labor Day hiatus - remember that Shabbat was the first fair labor practice ever!
Today we look at Va-Yechi, Genesis 47:28 - 50:26 - the end of Jacob's life, his blessings for his sons, his request that his remains be buried near his fathers', and Joseph's fulfillment of that request - so ends the book of Genesis.
Near the end of Joseph's stories, after his father Jacob has died, his brothers worry that without their father around, their now powerful brother will now seek revenge upon them.
Joseph responds:
Gen. 50:20 Now you, you planned ill against me, (but) God planned-it-over for good, in order to do (as is) this very day- to keep many people alive.
During our season of forgiveness and making apologies, Joseph stands as a model, letting bygones be bygones, and forgiving his brothers. So may we all bury the hatchet and move into the new year holding peace in our hearts for our family, friends, and communities.