Of all the stories Jews could tell about themselves, the Exodus from Egypt is the most central. Why not Creation? The Bible and the Gospel of John start there. Or monotheism? Abraham is pretty compelling a progenitor. Moses the lawgiver? He would be a great tragic hero. Or how about the national drama of King David and his dynasty? That kind of story is what…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful and glorious piece of ancient Hebrew poetry. Countless people have valued and prayed it throughout human history. But it is still valuable today as well. Therefore, using my monthly column here at Chadds Ford Live, I’m going to walk through this psalm verse by verse over the next six months, Lord willing. So, here’s our first verse today: “The LORD…
It is Chanukah. Since Thursday night, Jews have been lighting candles, increasing the number of candles each night. Many are also continuing the tradition of pirsumay neesa (publicizing the miracle) by lighting chanukiyot (Chanukah menorahs) in public spaces or, like me, by decorating our homes with blue and white lights and other decorations. The pandemic has changed, as it has with so many aspects of…
I have been remiss. The calendar says Thanksgiving is coming. I was too focused on what food to cook for only five in my house that I forgot to think about the Pilgrim story. The calendar says that today I should be concluding my study of the Talmud tractate Eruvin (boundaries defining Sabbath space) to then begin tractate Pesachim (Passovers). I fell off the daily…
As election day approaches, how can you stay sane and spiritually healthy? Well, here are three Bible verses to consider (and memorize if you have time): • “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27 ESV). Who are your political enemies? If you are a Trump supporter, it may be Biden supporters. If you’re a Biden supporter, it may be Trump supporters.…
“Turn it, turn it, for everything is in it,” Ben Bag Bag used to say (Pirke Avot 5:22), in reference to the Torah study. This ancient rabbinic sage, a convert to Judaism, articulates something that I have found metaphorically true year after year. I never seem to be able to complete a portion of learning for even as I present what I think I know,…
If you look at the beliefs section of the church I pastor in Garnet Valley, Hope Presbyterian, you’ll notice that we desire to be “gospel-centered.” Now, if you don’t know what the word gospel means, I encourage you to read the book of Romans in the New Testament and explore this link, which summarizes the gospel in clear language. I would also love to buy you coffee and meet up…
A coronation with no one at court; that will be this year’s Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. A too-often lesser known or hidden symbol of Rosh HaShanah is the round challah bread as the crown of God as Sovereign of sovereigns, not just round like the year coming full circle and not just sweet for a sweet new year. On Rosh HaShanah, the liturgy…
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalms 81:10 ESV) According to this verse from Psalm 81, God wants us to root our lives in two realities simultaneously — the past and the future. First, let’s look at how God wants us to root our lives in the…
Seven inning baseball games. Heresy or genius? I doubt two more innings would have changed the outcome in either of the double-header games the Phillies played against the Yankees. That does not answer the question, though. In fact, it seems that for now the only definitive statement one can make about Major League Baseball’s 2020 experiment is that the games are shorter. Less is more,…
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23-24 ESV) We all want to be understood on some level. But sometimes we’re afraid of being truly known. What if we’re vulnerable and people still reject us? So, we choose isolation and anonymity…