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, November 4, 2020
We awaken unsure of what yesterday’s election means for us and for America. Much will be revealed in the days to come. This much is abundantly clear: we are a deeply divided nation. Here is a meditation, a kavanah, a prayer for this moment: God, grant me the strength to live with uncertainty, to accept the truth that much of what happens is outside of my control. Open my heart to those around me, especially those with whom I might disagree, so that I might better fulfill Your teaching to love my neighbor—and the stranger—as myself. Help me to remember that we are all created in Your image, we are all Your children and, thus, we are all sisters and brothers. Unite our hearts to serve You in justice, in compassion, in goodness, and in love. Allow me to find time throughout each day to focus on my breath in silence [...]
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, November 3, 2020
“Pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear it inspires, we would swallow one another alive!” (Pirkei Avot 3:2) Since medieval times, a prayer for the welfare of the government has been included in our liturgy. In every country in which we have dwelled, we have asked for God’s blessings on our leaders that they might rule with justice, wisdom, and compassion. Most of us have probably already voted in this most consequential election. (If you haven’t, it’s not too late yet—polls are open today until 8 p.m.) Whatever the results (and whenever we might know them), let us resolve first and foremost not to “swallow one another alive.” This seems like a rather low bar but given how contentious this year’s contest has been, perhaps not. It is certain that each of us will be disappointed with at least some of the outcomes [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, November 2, 2020
וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ אֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם הָעִ֗יר אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִגְלֵ֤יתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ שָׁ֔מָּה וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ בַעֲדָ֖הּ אֶל־יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֣י בִשְׁלוֹמָ֔הּ יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם שָׁלֽוֹם׃ And seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to the ETERNAL on its behalf; for in the peace thereof shall you have peace. (Jeremiah 29:7) No matter where we live, whether we see ourselves fully at home or perhaps a little bit in “exile,” our tradition wants us to want the very best for that place and that community. The logic in this 2,500 year old verse from the Prophet Jeremiah is clear: if things are “whole,” filled with shalom, in the place in which we live, we will experience shalom as well. This verse reminds us as well that it’s not enough to pray for the peace of our city, nation, and world—we must actively seek its well-being. Participating fully in civic society (which of course includes exercising our right and [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, October 30, 2020
A Prayer for America by Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver Rabbi Silver was the influential rabbi of “The Temple” in Cleveland, Ohio. He emigrated from Poland at the age of nine and received his ordination from Hebrew Union College in 1915. He served the Cleveland Jewish community from 1917 and served until his death in 1963. He was a Zionist, an advocate for immigration, fair wages, workers’ rights, and civil liberties. Deeply engaged in politics, he appeared before the United Nations and met with President Truman several times to advocate for Jewish statehood. He was a Republican, and not only addressed the party at the 1948 convention, but also convinced them to include a pro-Israel plank on its platform. Read More. In addition to praising his adopted country, this poem is a clarion call for immigration as a means of bolstering America’s vision. (This poem uses gendered language for God—something we [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, October 29, 2020
Betty Friedan changed history. Her criticism of the predominant culture that presumed a particular role for women led to the women's movement and the changes that have become normative in our society today. She wrote The Feminine Mystique in 1963. Here is an oft-cited excerpt: The problem lay buried, unspoken, for many years in the minds of American women. It was a strange stirring, a sense of dissatisfaction, a yearning that women suffered in the middle of the twentieth century in the United States. Each suburban wife struggled with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries, matched slipcover material, ate peanut butter sandwiches with her children, chauffeured Cub Scouts and Brownies, lay beside her husband at night—she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question—"Is this all?" For over fifteen years there was no word of this yearning in the millions of words written about women, for [...]