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 – Wednesday, February 16, 2022
This week’s Kavanot focus on some of the core concepts of the Jewish Mussar practice, called middot. To learn more visit the website. Equanimity: מנוחת הנפש – Menuchat Ha’Nefesh Honor: כבוד – Kavod כַּבֵּד אֶת-אָבִיךָ, וְאֶת-אִמֶּךָ "Honor your father and your mother." —Exodus 20:12 The word כבוד (honor) describes an orientation towards one’s parents which—on the surface—seems quite basic. However, the same word is used in the Torah to describe an appearance of God. It was said that כבוד (kavod) of God occupied the interior section of the ancient tabernacle (mishkan) to the extent that Moses couldn’t enter (Exodus 40:34). In Hebrew, the same word is used to speak about something having physical weight (see this essay about kavod by a certain Rabbi “Josh” Zweiback). Ultimately, we might say that the word means that something is weighty, or of value. So, when we use the word כבוד to speak about something—whether it be parents or God or another person—we are [...]
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, February 15, 2022
This week’s Kavanot focus on some of the core concepts of the Jewish Mussar practice, called middot. To learn more, visit the website. Humility: ענוה – Anavah Patience: סבלנות – Savlanut Gratitude: הכרת הטוב – Hakarat Ha’Tov Compassion: רחמים – Rachamim On Thursdays, when Cantor Emma and I lead our schoolchildren in prayer, we begin our services by singing the prayer, "Elohai neshama, she natatah bi, t’horah he" – "God, the soul you have given me is pure." Your soul, I explain to them, is what makes you you. There has never been and there never will be another person like you on this planet. There’s often a slight gasp of amazement the first time they hear that insight. Taking that a step further, there will never be a person who encounters the world as each of us do in our uniqueness. No one will love like each of us, or for that matter experience love between each other the way [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, February 14, 2022
Though I wouldn’t call myself a practitioner, I am intrigued by the ancient Jewish path to self-improvement called Mussar. Mussar is defined as: …a treasury of teachings and practices that help individuals understand their true natures as holy souls, then to break through the barriers that surround and obstruct the flow of inner holiness or light. The goal of Mussar is to release the light of holiness that lives within each soul. (Find out more here) Mussar has been popularized in the non-Orthodox Jewish world by Alan Morinis. His teachings and books have brought Mussar teachings to light for many, and serve as the basis of the class being taught at Wise’s own Melton adult study school. Among the core concepts of Mussar are middot – ethical principles or qualities that one can spend a lifetime cultivating, strengthening, and – most importantly – expressing in one’s actions. Morinis has identified 18 key middot. They are: Humility: ענוה – Anavah Patience: סבלנות – Savlanut Gratitude: [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, February 11, 2022
This week’s Torah portion describes the special garments the priests were to wear when offering sacrifices on behalf of the children of Israel. We read that Aaron, the first High Priest, is to don a headband with the words “Kodesh L'Adonai" — "Holy to the Eternal” — engraved upon it. There is—as you’d imagine—much debate amongst the sages as to the purpose of the headband and the meaning of the phrase, “Holy to the Eternal.” Why does Aaron wear it? Is it a reminder to him about the purpose of his work? Is it a badge of honor, designed to impress those who came into his presence? Is the implication of the phrase that Aaron himself is holy, or is it instead a reminder that his service is holy. Or—in good Jewish fashion—is it both? A focus on the Hebrew word kodesh can teach us not only something important about Aaron, but about ourselves as [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, February 10, 2022
In 2009, the Jewish Special Education International Consortium established February as Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion month. Over the past 13 years, JDAIM has become a unified national initiative, during the month of February, to raise disability awareness and support efforts to foster inclusion in Jewish communities worldwide. I am—quite proudly—a product of the “Sesame Street” generation. Long before Elmo and Abby Cadabby made the scene, the twin cultural landmarks of “Sesame Street” and “Free to Be You and Me” underscored my parents’ message to me: All children want the same things—to feel safe, happy, and loved. In 2017—two years after first appearing in digital form and more than seven years after research and preparation began—the character Julia first appeared on “Sesame Street.” Part of an initiative to “See Amazing in All Children,” Julia is a character with autism. She was brought on to reflect the reality that “Sesame Street” [...]