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, July 18, 2023
Shabbat Chazon חֲזוֹן֙ One of the most difficult jobs in the ancient near east was that of a Biblical prophet. Called upon to rebuke the people with a litany of their sins, announce their impending punishments, and then follow all that with promises of hope, the prophets were often ridiculed and persecuted. Kings imprisoned them, commoners pelted them with stones, and all the while, they wrestled with their own doubts about the veracity of their warnings and promises. Despite the great personal risks, they spoke their truth. Most importantly, their words—as controversial as they might have been at the time—were preserved for thousands of years so that we might read them. Though intended for their own generation and only offering predictions within their temporal horizon, subsequent generations continued to value the prophets’ timeless morality and revered their visions as predictive for all time. Thus, Christianity seized on Isaiah 53 and [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, July 17, 2023
Beyn Ha'Metzarim I first encountered Tisha B’Av (observed next week) when I was a camper at URJ Camp Eisner in Great Barrington, Mass. I attempted the customary fast, only to surrender to the heat and hunger by midday. Judaism is presented experientially at the Reform Movement camps, so our observance of the holidays involved traversing the grounds and stopping at dramatic reenactments of the tragic events that befell the Jewish people on that day over the centuries. As a 12-year-old, this encounter with Jewish history left an indelible memory. We are in the period of time called Beyn Ha’Metzarim—between the narrow places—which marks the three weeks before Tisha B’Av. During this time, the tradition goes deep into the sorrows of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temples, the expulsion of Jews from Spain, the burning of Torah scrolls, and other times of pain and terror. Different mourning rituals are observed during [...]
Daily Kavanah – Shabbat Message From Rabbi Yoshi – Friday, July 14, 2023
On this day, 113 years ago, my grandfather Joe Zweiback was born. I remember as a child gathering with my family to celebrate the special occasion and he would invariably say, "All of France is celebrating my birthday today!" Every summer I worked in my grandfather's Vitamin Store helping to stock the shelves, dust the bottles of vitamins, empty several days' worth of condensation from the trays of water under the refrigerator, and—best of all—ring up orders on his manual cash register. The best part was pulling down the lever that opened the cash drawer and simultaneously rang a little bell. Over the years working with him, he taught me many valuable lessons, one that has particular resonance for me this week. "Sonny," he once said to me, "in business, Grandpa's word is his bond." You didn’t need a signed contract from Joe Zweiback. A verbal agreement sealed with a handshake was all [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, July 13, 2023
The Jewish calendar offers a rich tapestry of days, and there is literally never a week without something to celebrate or commemorate. This Shabbat is a special celebration called Shabbat Mevarchim Chodesh Av, meaning the Shabbat on which we communally bless the forthcoming month of Av. Shabbat Mevarchim always falls on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, the sabbath preceding the celebration of a new month. Since the month of Av begins next Wednesday evening, July 19, we have an opportunity this Shabbat to dedicate ourselves, in the month ahead, to being thoughtful about what blessings we might be open to receiving during the 11th month of our Hebrew calendar year before all the spiritual work of Elul begins. Traditionally, Av is considered to be a month of tragedy and consolation. We are taught that it was during this month that both ancient Temples were destroyed, as well as many [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, July 12, 2023
I don't have a favorite season of the year, but I really love the leisure of summer. The long days are perfect for enjoying extra time outdoors (although now that I am a mom, I spend a good amount of that time applying sunscreen to my exceptionally pale children). Perhaps what I love most about summer is the slowed pace; the calendar isn’t so full and it's just a bit easier to be in the moment. And for me, as I imagine for many of you, the long and sweet summer days bring extra time for reading. Every summer, I look forward to enjoying a number of different books: at least one piece of fiction I've been waiting to open, something spiritual or philosophical as I prepare for the High Holy Day season, and often a favorite book from another life chapter. Re-reading a favorite book can be such a [...]