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 6, 2024
This week’s Shabbat, the first in the month of Av, is known as Shabbat Chazon, a sabbath of vision, containing the third of three Haftarot – selections from the prophets – that rebuke Israel for its intransigence. Taken from Isaiah, the selection condemns Israel for privileging ritual over morality: “Why [bring] your sacrifices to me?” asks Adonai, “I am stuffed with the offerings of rams, the suet of fatlings, the blood of bulls. I take no delight in lambs and goats. Who asked that you come to look upon Me? Trample my courts no more. Bringing oblations is futile. Incense is abominable to Me. Do not proclaim your sabbaths or new moons and gather in iniquity. Your months and seasons fill Me with loathing. They have become a burden to Me. I cannot endure them (Isaiah 1:11-14).”Rather, the prophet urges, Israel must:“Learn to do good. Devote yourselves to justice. Aid the [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, August 5, 2024
Today is Rosh Chodesh Av, the beginning of the Hebrew month of Av.Originally derived from the Assyro-Babylonian month, abu, which referred to the reeds and bulrushes cut in the late summer to support ancient urban construction, Av is never named in the Hebrew Bible. Rather, it is the sages who introduce us to this late summer month in somber fashion, suggesting that, “When we enter Av, our joy is diminished (BT Taanit 29A),” due to the observance of Tisha B’Av – the ninth Day of Av – which commemorates the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem.Traditional Jews began observing mourning practices on the 17th of Tammuz (11 days ago) to honor the destruction of Jerusalem’s defensive fortifications by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. These practices include refraining from wedding parties, music, and haircuts. Today, Jews traditionally add the additional mourning proscriptions of avoiding new construction or home [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, August 2, 2024
In these last two parshiot of the Book of Numbers, the Israelites continue to prepare for life in the Promised Land. And, in their planning, two of the tribes of Israel make a seemingly problematic request of Moses. Realizing that the land on the other side of the Jordan river was good for grazing, the leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad suggest the following: “The land that the ETERNAL has conquered for the community of Israel [in Jazer and Gilead] is cattle country, and your servants have cattle. It would be a favor to us if this land were given to your servants as a holding; do not move us across the Jordan.” Only, this was not in the plan—and seems unfair. Moses replies: “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here? Why will you turn the minds of the Israelites from crossing into the land that [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, August 1, 2024
On Friday nights, the full 11 verses of Lecha Dodi include the words: קֽוּמִי צְאִי מִתּוֹךְ הַהֲפֵכָה. Arise and get out from the turmoil…. In keeping with the themes of Shabbat, it is meant as a call to awakening, setting a hopeful tone for the day. It gives us the vision – and the possibility – of rising out of the turmoil, of shaking off our sackcloth and ashes, of rejoicing as we do with bride and groom. It is a text for “the day after.” Dr. Melila Hellner-Eshed taught Words from the Midst of Turmoil: Responding to the Devastation. And one of her framing questions, having cited these words that we sing each week, was: “What do we need to speak about hope truthfully?” She answered by saying what any of us who have suffered loss knows. She said: “You first have to speak in and from the turmoil; before the [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Earlier this month, I had the honor of spending ten days learning at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. As we move through the three weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av, this week will feature reflections on some of what I studied there through the lens of Tisha B’Av and October 7. Perhaps the most powerful of the classes I took and the lectures I heard over my ten days in Jerusalem was my elective course (3 days), Poetry in the Wake of October 7 with the incredible teacher, Dr. Rachel Korazim. As I have shared, I am in love with the Hebrew language and I am deeply in love with Hebrew poetry, in both written and song form. And in my many years of studying Hebrew poetry, I have never encountered anything like the pieces which Dr. Korazim shared with us; they are stunning in every sense of the [...]