Author Archives: Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The Pot Becomes the Potter

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

We are like clay in designer’s hand, As he wills—to contract, as he wills—to expand, So are we in your hand to lovingly define, Look past our designs keep the covenant in mind. An anonymous prayer poet shaped Jeremiah’s image … Continue reading →

Posted in Days of Awe, Holidays, Poetry, Prayer | 7 Comments

More Than Repentance

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

Teshuvah means more than “repentance.”    “Repentance” asks me to say that I am sorry, once again.  Teshuvah turns on the Hebrew verb that means “turn” or “return.”  The act of Teshuvah holds the possibility of creative, reflective, purposeful turning—both turning … Continue reading →

Posted in Days of Awe, Holidays, Poetry | 1 Comment

Tall Tales and Worthy Quest(ion)s

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Can we allow an ancient story to tell itself on its own terms?  Are we willing to invite a story’s images without insisting upon its meanings?  Can we meet the gaze of a story, assuring it with our questions that … Continue reading →

Posted in Elijah, Prayer, Talmud | Leave a comment

Certifiably Kosher

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Can I say of myself that I am kosher?  Or, that he or she is kosher? Rabban Gamliel and the 20th century Israeli poet, Yehuda Amichai, might have had an interesting conversation about such a use of the term, kosher.  First, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mishnah, Poetry, Talmud | 2 Comments

Guarding Ourselves: A Seatbelt Beracha

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Years ago I created a beracha, a blessing, for putting on my car seatbelt:  Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, king of the universe, who has made us unique by giving us commandments and has commanded us to guard … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessing, Talmud | 1 Comment

Rising Virtue, Rising Duty, Rising Courage

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

Here are three voices that join a conversation about the meaning of rising in the morning—a psychologist, a rabbi and a poet: I am lying in bed, says the psychologist William James, and think it is time to get up; … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Talmud | Leave a comment

Holding By Letting Go

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The Talmudic storyteller brings us to the room where Rabbi is dying: On the day that Rabbi [Judah, the Prince] died, the Rabbis decreed a fast and they prayed.  They said:  Let anyone who says, “Rabbi has died,” be skewered … Continue reading →

Posted in Talmud | Leave a comment

From Clenched Fist to Open Hand

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

The ancient sages disputed whether the troubled and troubling book, Ecclesiastes, should have a place among the holy writings.  Sages who appreciated its value suggested that Ecclesiastes charted a course through the thicket of life, blazing an articulate path through … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash | Leave a comment

Where Shall We Put The Sign?

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

In the “movie version” of the Passover story, we watch the people of Israel paint the blood of the Passover offering on their doors as a sign that marks their houses for protection against what will be the last of … Continue reading →

Posted in Midrash, Passover | Leave a comment

Making Passover: By the Story or by the Book?

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Some people learn best from stories; some prefer the rule book:  “I can’t keep a list of rules in my head.  Tell me the story and I’ll figure out what to do.”  Or, “spare me the story and just tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Passover, Talmud | 3 Comments