Author Archives: Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

A Passover Conversation in Four Voices

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Four conversed about the pine tree.  One defined it according to genus, species and variety.  One held forth concerning its shortcomings in the lumber industry.  One quoted verses about pine trees in numerous languages.  One struck root, stretched out branches … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Passover, Poetry, Talmud | Leave a comment

Kindness, Not Sacrifice

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Lonely and painful winter days invite nostalgia for days of hesed—days of loving kindness and compassion. So says the poet, Yehuda Amichai: “Those were days of hesed,” I heard them say once on a winter street during days of loneliness … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Poetry | 1 Comment

Divine Gaze

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

After the fiasco of the golden calf, a resentful God said to the pleading Moses: You cannot see my face, for no one can see my face and live (Exodus 33:20). So says one ancient story teller: It was taught … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry, Talmud | 5 Comments

Overturning A Mountain of Tradition

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

An ancient story teller uprooted Mount Sinai and held it threateningly over the people of Israel: They stood beneath the mountain (Exodus 19:17). Said Rav Avdimi bar Hama bar Hasa, This teaches that the Blessed Holy One vaulted the mountain … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry, Talmud | 2 Comments

Sufficient Meaning?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The Torah’s written words are not sufficient.   It is the reading of the word and not the word alone that produces meaning.  Meaning appears when timely experiences enter into conversation with the timeless text. Rashi, the great commentator, gives an … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry, Torah | Leave a comment

Is Being Right All That’s Left?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Perhaps I have lived my whole life in a mistake, says the poet, Yehuda Amichai.  The God of my childhood also is a mistake, yet he is still called God. If history demonstrates that a heroic and sacred vision was … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 2 Comments

Fashioning the Fashioner

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

I say with complete faith that prayers preceded God. Prayers fashioned God God fashioned man and man fashions prayers that fashion God who fashions man. Says the poet, Yehuda Amichai:  Prayers generate the endless cycle of hope and help, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Prayer | 2 Comments

Soul Existence

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The late James Hillman (1926-2011) taught that soul is our capacity to make meaning, our ability to deepen events into experiences.  Sustaining and nourishing, soul deepens us and raises us, allowing us to travel inwards and outwards.  With all of … Continue reading →

Posted in Talmud | Leave a comment

The Lulav: Pointing To Creator and Creature at the Season of Creation

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

It is the manner of earthly monarchs to extend the scepter with favor towards a subject.  During Sukkot, when the lulav becomes the scepter, it is the earthly, earthy subject who extends the scepter with favor towards the horizons and … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 4 Comments

Temporary Shelter

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Twice a year the Jewish calendar offers the invitation and challenge to see the world differently.  During Pesah, everything that was kosher the day before is no longer kosher.  Six months later, during Sukkot, the temporary becomes permanent. For seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Poetry | 5 Comments