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 – Thursday, January 30, 2025
Today begins the Hebrew month of Shevat, a month in which we celebrate Tu b’Shevat and the new year of the trees. Entering Shevat this year may feel more challenging than in other years; the landscape and nature that surrounds us has changed significantly in recent weeks. And yet, trees still stand. The amazing thing about trees is their natural adaptations to withstand fire - their thick bark serves as a heat shield, protecting their inner layers, while the moisture inside trees makes them less flammable. There is hope for a tree; If it is cut down it will renew itself; Its shoots will not cease. If its roots are old in the earth, And its stump dies in the ground, At the scent of water it will bud And produce branches like a sapling. - Job 14:7-9 כִּי יֵשׁ לָעֵץ תִּקְוָה אִם־יִכָּרֵת וְעוֹד יַחֲלִיף וְיֹנַקְתּוֹ לֹא תֶחְדָּל׃ אִם־יַזְקִין [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, January 29, 2025
This week, Parashat Bo recounts the last three plagues brought upon Egypt: locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn. Familiar to many from the Passover seder, this moment in our text opens with God saying to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, I have hardened his heart.” I often find myself wondering about Moses in these moments: what is going through his mind? Here he is being told by his God, the God of the Hebrews, to go to his adoptive brother, the most powerful man in Egypt, and make a major demand. If I were in Moses’ position, would I have the courage to go to Pharaoh? Would you?In the first two verses, God speaks only to Moses. However, in the third verse, Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh together. Multiple times in the Exodus narrative, God speaks exclusively to Moses before Moses and Aaron proceed in unison. If one of my siblings came to [...]
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, January 28, 2025
When looking at this week's Parsha, Parshat Bo, it is hard not to see comparisons between what happened in Egypt regarding the ten plagues and what has happened in Israel and Gaza since October 7. The hostages can be compared to the Israelite slaves, and the Palistinians to the Egyptians. In Gaza, like Egypt in the Exodus story, there were innocent civilians who were killed in order to free the hostages. Hamas chose to start a war and to use their civilians as human shields just as Pharaoh allowed his people to suffer through the ten plagues. The big difference, however, is that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that Pharaoh didn’t always have a choice when it came to refusing to free the Israelites. Every year, when we read this portion, and again when we read the story on Passover, I always feel conflicted about the final plague. I have [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, January 27, 2025
For the first two weeks of January, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Thailand and Japan for my long-awaited honeymoon after getting married in August. My trip was supposed to be filled with beautiful beaches, wonderful nature, animals, and nothing but happiness and love. It was filled with all of those things, don’t get me wrong, but it was also filled with anxiety and fear for my family and friends dealing with the unexpected fires which have plagued Los Angeles this past month. While I was having an incredible time with my wife, I was also filled with dread for my beloved city and the people I care about most. This is all happening, of course, against the backdrop of the terrible reality of what is happening in Israel as well as the hope for the return of all the hostages which weighs heavily on my heart. [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, January 24, 2025
There is a concept in psychology known as vicarious trauma. It was first identified in mental health care professionals who were repeatedly exposed to their patients’ traumatic experiences. By witnessing or hearing about the fear, pain, distress, and terror of others, our own well-being can be deeply affected. I suspect many of us can relate to the concept of vicarious trauma. Since October 7, we have, as a community, felt the weight of the horrors of those heinous attacks and their aftermath—including the plight of the hostages and the bloody, devastating war that has followed. Although most of us have not personally endured this violence, repeatedly witnessing the suffering of others over these many months has left us with painful residual consequences. Social media can be especially harmful as all-too-vivid images and videos appear on our feeds again and again. Vicarious trauma can manifest as excessive worry, loss of sleep, [...]