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, August 2, 2023
Wednesday, August 2 is Tu B'Av—the 15th day of the month of Av. Originally an obscure date mentioned in the Mishnah and the Babylonian Talmud, it has found a renaissance as a Day of Love in modern Israel. The first appearance of Tu B'Av in our tradition is also the best known. As early as 200 C.E., none other than Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, the Exilarch of the Jewish People, pronounced that: There were no days as happy for the Jewish people as the 15th of Av and as Yom Kippur. (Mishnah Ta'anit 4:8) In a recent conversation with a bar mitzvah student, we were discussing what seems to be a paradox between Yom Kippur—the day of affliction—and Sukkot—a festival of joy. This smart student asked: "Well, is Yom Kippur only sad?" When preparing for the High Holy Days, I think often of the energy of Ne'ilah, the final service of [...]
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Wednesday, August 2 is Tu B'Av—the 15th day of the month of Av. Originally an obscure date mentioned in the Mishnah and the Babylonian Talmud, it has found a renaissance as a Day of Love in modern Israel. Driving home recently, my children noticed a beautiful sliver of moon and asked about it. As I have noted before, I did not expect my rabbinical training to come with a side of astronomy, but a quick calculation of Rosh Chodesh Av—the beginning of a new month—easily answered their question, and to their surprise, I could even tell them when we could expect a full moon (tonight, btw). Because, of course, we are at heart a lunar people: Our months and festivals marked by the moon's waxing and waning. And while tonight's holiday is not a major one, it—like Passover and Sukkot—always falls on the full moon. If we do read [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, July 31, 2023
Wednesday, August 2 is Tu B'Av—the 15th day of the month of Av. Originally an obscure date mentioned in the Mishnah and the Babylonian Talmud, it has found a renaissance as a Day of Love in modern Israel. If you have not yet read it, I highly recommend Sally Jenkins' beautifully written article about the unlikely—but deep and enduring—friendship between tennis rivals Martina Navartilova and Chris Evert, published this summer in The Washington Post. A powerful reflection also on sport and feminism, I was struck by this quote, to which I returned this week, thinking about our tradition's teaching(s) on love: Friendship is arguably the most wholly voluntary relationship. It reflects a mutual decision to keep pasting something back together, no matter how far it gets pulled apart, even when there is no obligatory reason, no justice-of-the-peace vow or chromosomal tie. Tu B'Av has, over time, come to be associated with romantic love and partnership—with [...]
Daily Kavanah – Shabbat Message From Rabbi Yoshi – Friday, July 28, 2023
What a challenging week for Israel and the Jewish people. On Monday, the Israeli government passed a controversial bill that many critics consider one step in a broader strategy aimed at undermining Israeli democracy. Even those who believe that reform of the Israeli court system is necessary would agree that the government has badly botched its efforts in terms of process. Evidence of broad dissatisfaction with the current government can be seen in the images of the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have taken to the streets over the past five months. Immediately after the passage of the bill, protests erupted all over the country, demonstrations that included religious and secular Israelis from across the entire political spectrum. As if by design, yesterday marked the darkest day on the Jewish calendar: Tisha B'Av. It is the day on which, according to tradition, a long litany of tragedies has befallen [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, July 27, 2023
This Wednesday evening and all day today, Jews throughout the world will observe Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, which the sages set aside as a day of mourning several calamities suffered by the Jews of antiquity, including the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem. This week’s daily kavanot will trace the history and observance of Tisha B'Av from its establishment to the present day. Although Tisha B'Av faced challenges to its existence both during its formative period and afterwards, the Jewish day of mourning endures as a testament to the resilience of rabbinic innovation. Jews who continue to observe Tisha B'Av often find comfort in its connection to Jewish history, as well as its increasingly relevant lessons regarding the consequences of sinat chinam—senseless hatred. However, perhaps its most significant contribution to Jewish tradition is the creation of ritual space for communal grief. American society, with its [...]