Category Archives: Days of Awe

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

To Pray with the Transgressors

Posted on August 27, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

We grant permission to pray with the transgressors. So ends the prologue to Kol Nidre.  How pompous and unwelcoming, how divisive and polarizing this sounds: “We, the court, permit all of the pure faithful to pray in the company of … Continue reading →

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The World is Filled with Remembering and Forgetting

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

In the world of the Bible, memory is prized.  There are many commands to “remember,” and some, “not to forget” along with the resigned admission that you likely will forget.  The need to remember and remind is a theme that … Continue reading →

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The Poet’s Response

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

What follows is a further conversation (see blog of Aug. 17) between the Israeli poet, Rivka Miriam, concerning a poem studied at Sicha Shabbaton: Rivka, I want to share a bit more response of the Sicha Shabbaton community to your … Continue reading →

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