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 – Tuesday, August 13, 2024
הֲשִׁיבֵ֨נוּ יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ (ונשוב) [וְֽנָשׁ֔וּבָה] חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם׃Return us, God, to You, and let us come back. Renew our days of old (Lamentations 5:21).Hashiveinu, Adonai, v’nashuva–these words that are so familiar to us during the month of Selichot and through the High Holy Days actually come from our Book of Lamentations, which we read today on Tisha B’Av. We cry out to God in one voice, asking to return–both physically and spiritually–to God, to our Holy Land. We are forlorn, but we are not bitter. We grieve, but we are hopeful. We yearn for the past, for the good days of old, and we trust that God is still with us every moment both now and going forward.So many of us have enjoyed meaningful prayer experiences at the Western Wall; the beautiful portion of the retaining wall from the ancient Jerusalem Temples. To see it standing fills my heart with great blessing [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, August 12, 2024
נַחֲמ֥וּ נַחֲמ֖וּ עַמִּ֑י Comfort, oh comfort My people (Isaiah 40:1). Tonight at sundown marks the beginning of Tisha b’Av, the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, a somber day of collective Jewish bereavement. Traditionally remembered as the day that the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed; Tisha b’Av has evolved into a broader day of mourning for a number of disasters experienced by the Jewish people, a day fated to hold our communal pain. Tisha b’Av is marked by fasting, chanting the Book of Lamentations and the Book of Job, and gathering together as a community to seek solace and comfort. As Jews, we remember times our ancestors suffered, and perhaps there will be more suffering ahead of us (God forbid), but we know we will never experience our woes alone. This year especially, we bear witness to the suffering of our loved ones in Israel; our [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, August 9, 2024
A friend reached out to me last Tuesday evening with a rabbinic question soon after the news broke that Ismail Haniyeh had been killed in an explosion in Tehran: “Is it OK to be happy that he’s dead? Not just relieved but happy?”And it’s not just the death of the Hamas leader that sparks this question. In the span of just a few days, three terrorists with the blood of tens of thousands of innocents on their hands were killed. In bus bombings, in cafes, and at U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, these men were responsible for unspeakable violence; including the murder, rape, torture, and kidnappings of October 7.The classic text on the matter is found in Proverbs 24:17: “Rejoice not when your enemy falls and let your heart not be glad when he stumbles.”The answer seems clear: Al tismach, rejoice not!But this teaching seems to be at odds with a [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, August 8, 2024
This Shabbat, as we read from the Book of Deuteronomy, we hear Moses’ retelling of the Israelites’ exploits in the wilderness, including the tale of the spies. Moses recalls how the Israelites, fearful of Canaan’s inhabitants, rebel against Moses and threaten to return to Egypt. In exchange, God decrees that an entire Israelite generation must perish in the wilderness. Why does Moses return to this harrowing tale so quickly? The story serves to justify Moses’ sermons on the banks of the Jordan that comprise the book of Deuteronomy. This generation of Israelites experienced neither redemption nor revelation, so Moses’ words are invaluable to them. In addition, the tale reinforces an essential lesson that the Israelites must bear in mind as they endeavor to conquer the land, the need to overcome their fears. Though our fears serve the fundamental purpose of helping us identify and avoid dangers, fear also restricts [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, August 7, 2024
This Shabbat, we begin to read from the book of D’varim, Deuteronomy, which, according to the text, contains teachings delivered by Moses to Israel before they enter the Promised Land. Knowing that they must go forward without him, he dedicates his final moments to reviewing their journeys, the lessons they learned, and the laws and precepts that will guide them as they enter Israel.“On the other side of the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to clarify this teaching (this Torah), stating… (Deuteronomy 1:5)”Moses’ choice to take this final opportunity to reinforce his Torah, his teachings, reminds me of that last message parents sneak in before dropping their children off at school for the day or those last instructions parents give before sending their students off to college. Even as educators, workplace leaders, or community leaders, we often do the same. “Make good choices!” are always the last [...]