Exodus | Shemot

SHEMOT | The Journey Begins

Exodus begins by showing us Pharoah-nature, the nature that cannot sit where other folk sit in order to feel what they feel, the nature that closes its heart to others’ suffering. And then it presents us with the questions of our time, of all time: How does transformation of suffering occur? How do we humans affect the formless Flow of Life, Eternally Present, the Formless Creator of Genesis, so that there is sitting “where other folk sit in order to feel what they feel.“

SHEMOT | The Journey Begins Read More »

Beshallah | Letting Go

This week’s essay follows the teachings on “letting go” in the dynamic among the G!d of Torah, Pharaoh and the Israelites as they flee from enslavement into the wilderness.

What does it take for them to let go of doubt that there is a healing power at the center of existence?

I’m writing this in the midst of ambulance sirens in New York City, attacks on voting rights for people of color, greater and greater polarization between people making different choices about vaccines. Not seeing any straight road ahead has me teetering on the edges of self doubt and despair.

Beshallah | Letting Go Read More »

Yitro | Belonging, Othering and Receiving

With a heavy and grateful heart I dedicate this week’s Torah at the intersection blog to my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. I am not overstating to say that Thay, the Vietnamese Buddhist term for Rebbe, Roshi and teacher, sent me to Torah and has guided me in every breath of my life. Here is this week’s blog, finished shortly before I heard the news this afternoon that he has passed from the body. As with everything I write, I mention him by name and walk with him.

Yitro | Belonging, Othering and Receiving Read More »

Mishpatim | Vibrations of our Needs

This week’s post emerges from the intersection of the fires of Buddhism, Nonviolent Communication and Torah.

This has been a week of Rabbis speaking of Thich Nhat Hanh and his impact of returning them to Judaism. Students of Nonviolent Communication trainer Robert Gonzales speaking of how his life and work grounded their NVC practice in the Buddhist values of compassion and bodhichitta. And my own weaving of the NVC principles of needs and strategies into the Torah portion of Mishpatim.

Mishpatim | Vibrations of our Needs Read More »

Mishpatim | What are Laws?

When I was a young civil rights lawyer in New York City I worked briefly on the criminal defense of Yusef Salaam, age 15, one of the now exonerated Central Park Five. After spending a short period of time with some of the young, accused black men and their families, it was apparent to me that they were innocent. It was apparent to all the lawyers in our office.

Mishpatim | What are Laws? Read More »