Welcoming Shabbat

“the door will open, / the ShekhinahThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine. and her entourage of angels /
will enter our temple in time.”
This Burden of Rest–Meditation After a Broken Bone

“After the pain settles, and swear words stop, /I am left with healing of my body. / But healing of body takes time…”
God Will Gather Us In
Reconstructing Judaism · “God Will Gather Us In” with Rabbi RachelLavan's younger daughter and Jacob's beloved wife second wife (after he is initially tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah). Rachel grieves throughout her life that she is barren while Leah is so fertile. Ultimately, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and dies in childbirth with Benjamin. Rachel is remembered as compassionate (she is said to still weep for her children), and infertile women often invoke Rachel as a kind of intercessor and visit her tomb on the road to Bethlehem. Barenblat This teaching includes an optional writing prompt. “Though my father and mother abandon me, God will gather me […]
A Psalm for Mourning

“I cannot tear it all down, / rip out the broken heart of it, / and be done with it.”
A Prayer for Coming Out as Asexual

“I stand confident in the knowledge of my identity, / and am proud of my courage to claim it.”
At Sea (for Elul)

“How do you steer this thing? / Which end is helm and which is the stern?”
Prayer for Planting Native Plants

“May our planting cause multiple levels of life to abundantly flourish…”
Teshuvah/change is a real possibility!?
Reconstructing Judaism · “Teshuvah/change is a real possibility!?” with Rabbi Michael Strassfeld The process of teshuvah is a challenging one. It is easy to be skeptical of our ability to […]
Dollar Bread Shabbat Blessing

We bless this store brand slice of dollar bread, This cup of stale wine, Upon this plastic folded table. We give praise for our studio apartment, A concrete sukkahLit. hut […]
Hitbodedut: A Silent Scream Ritual in Nature

A complete ritual for releasing frustration and anger in nature.