Daily Kavanot
Writings of reflection by the Stephen Wise Temple clergy.
Each weekday morning, members of our mailing list receive the “Daily Kavanah,” which includes messages of thought, inspiration, and contemplation from our clergy, along with a schedule of events. Every Thursday, the “Daily Kavanah” turns into “Eyes on Wise,” our weekly newsletter featuring the latest news, photos, videos, stories, and tikkun olam opportunities from our community. Sign up and don’t miss out!
Daily Kavanah – Monday, May 9, 2022
כַּבֵּ֤ד אֶת־אָבִ֙יךָ֙ וְאֶת־אִמֶּ֔ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן ׀ יַאֲרִיכֻ֣ן יָמֶ֗יךָ וּלְמַ֙עַן֙ יִ֣יטַב לָ֔ךְ עַ֚ל .הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ "Honor your father and mother, as your God commanded you, that you may long endure and be well in the land that God gives to you." —Deuteronomy 5:16 We are reminded many times throughout our Torah and sacred texts to honor our parents, a commandment that is traditionally viewed as being on par even with having reverence for God. Through our prayers, our rituals, and our sacred commitments, we acknowledge the many gifts God has bestowed upon us; so, too, do we acknowledge the blessings of life and learning that are given to us by our parents. The Hebrew word for parents, horim, comes from the same root as morim (teachers). We parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers are obligated to teach our children wholeheartedly and to walk alongside them (or just behind them) [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, May 6, 2022
The photo below is precious to me and quite timely for a few reasons. If you couldn’t tell, it’s of me and my mom Hermene (of blessed memory). With Mother’s Day this weekend, I’m thinking of her especially and reflecting on the painful truth that this will be the 22nd such celebration since her untimely death. The photograph is precious to me as well because it was taken on my very first visit to Israel in 1978. Yesterday, we celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. For me, this is all connected. My mother’s parents, Julia and Jake, were devoted Zionists who transmitted their love of the Jewish State to my mom and her sister, and then to their grandchildren. They were the ones who took us on that first visit as a family. (And, not surprisingly, their own love of Israel developed in no small part because of the Zionist [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, May 5, 2022
Yom Ha'atzmaut—Israeli Independence Day At 8 a.m. on May 14, 1948, the British Union Jack was lowered in Jerusalem. The British would no longer rule over Palestine. Eight hours later, David Ben-Gurion read the Proclamation of Independence over the radio. It began, "The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people … Here they wrote and gave the Bible to the world." Later Ben-Gurion said, "The State of Israel will be open to the immigration of Jews from all the countries of their dispersion." With these words, Ben-Gurion underscored the ideals and ethical aspirations of the state in noting that its values "will be based on the precepts of liberty, justice and peace taught by the Hebrew prophets." Today is Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, and we celebrate that moment in 1948. At the same time, we can celebrate with great pride what Israel, this tiny, extraordinary nation has become. May [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Today is Israel’s Memorial Day. Tomorrow Israel will celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. What is not well known is that originally the two were observed on the same day. Fallen Israeli soldiers were recognized on Independence Day but emotionally, there were mixed signals. How does one mourn the loss of a loved one while celebrating the State of Israel? In 1951, Israel instituted a separate Memorial Day. In addition to military personnel, the holiday has evolved to include those in the Mossad, police officers, and victims of terrorism. Most high schools in Israel have a memorial corner, with photos of graduates who died in battle or in military duty. Virtually every Israeli family has been touched with loss. And every Jew is indebted to them. In Israel a siren is sounded throughout the country at 8 p.m.and at 11 a.m. the next day. Drivers stop their cars and stand [...]
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism who turned Zionism into an international movement and inspired Jews with his words “Im tirtzu, an zo agadah—if you will it, it is no legend,” wrote in Der Judenstaat ("The State of the Jews," published in 1896) Jews should leave Europe and move to Palestine. He believed if Jews left other countries antisemitism would end. He wrote, “Therefore, I believe that a wondrous generation of Jews will spring into existence. We shall live at last as free men on our own soil, and die peacefully in our home.” Herzl proved to be partially correct. While “a wondrous generation” of Jews did “spring into existence,” we are still looking forward to the day when antisemitism will cease. Herzl saw Israel as a nation that would share its progress with the world. He concludes Der Judenstadt with the following words: “The world will be freed by our liberty, enriched [...]