Wise Words
Writings of reflection by the Stephen Wise Temple clergy.
Each Monday morning, members of our mailing list receive the weekly email “This Week at Wise,” and on Fridays, a “Shabbat Shalom” email from Rabbi Yoshi which include messages of thought, inspiration, and contemplation from our clergy, along with a schedule of events. Sign up and don’t miss out!
Daily Kavanah – Friday, June 27 2025
Shabbat Shalom, Last night I had a beautiful—and disturbing—dream, one I don’t think I would have had a few years ago. In the dream, I was moving from one dorm room to another on a university campus. As I carried my things down the hall, a student I didn’t know emerged from a nearby room. He greeted me, and by his accent, I could tell he was Israeli. I spoke to him in Hebrew. His face lit up. I made sure he saw the necklace I wear for the hostages. The piece of tape I keep over my heart, counting the days they’ve been held in captivity. My Israeli flag shoes. He smiled—broadly—and then threw his arms around me in a warm embrace. Earlier in the evening, in real life, Jacqueline and I met our cousin for dinner in Calabasas. At the ice cream shop afterward, a middle-school aged boy came up to me [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, June 23 2025
In this week’s parashah, we read about Korach’s rebellion—a tale of rebellion often reduced to the arrogance of a single man. But we find that when God learns of Korach’s challenge to Moses’ and Aaron’s authority, Divine wrath is not reserved for Korach alone, but for the entire Israelite community. “Stand back from this community, that I may annihilate them in an instant” (Numbers 16:21). Though Moses and Aaron quickly excuse the people to deal with Korach, God’s threat to annihilate Israel reminds us of the importance of demonstrating our fidelity to our faith and its precepts. Because the Israelites remained silent in the face of rebellion, they nearly perished. By failing to publicly stand by Moses and Aaron as Korach threatened their leadership, they provided Korach with the opening he needed to stage his insurgence. Judaism is a faith not only of belief, but of visible, public responsibility. [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, June 20 2025
Shabbat Shalom, There is something undeniably peculiar about this week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach L’cha. Why would the Torah include a story in which God instructs Moses to send scouts to spy out the land of Canaan? Why not simply provide the Israelites with a divine report—complete with all the relevant details about what to expect? After all, this is the same God who brought plagues upon Egypt, split the Sea of Reeds, and sustained the people with manna from heaven. Surely God could simply tell the people what to expect upon entering the land of Canaan. “No need for reconnaissance. I’ll tell you exactly how this is going to play out. You can trust Me.” Instead, God instructs: “Send men to scout the land of Canaan…” (Numbers 13:2). The responsibility for gathering information about the Promised Land is delegated to the people. One representative from each of the twelve tribes is selected for the [...]
Daily Kavanah – Monday, June 16 2025
As many of you may already know, I am coming to the end of my time at Stephen Wise Temple. My last official day will be June 30th. As I prepare for this transition, I find myself reflecting on the profound journey we've shared over these past three and a half years.My path began simply as a song leader for our preschool and religious school before evolving into my role as Cantorial Intern for the last three years. This sacred responsibility has allowed me to help lead our community through High Holiday services, Shabbat gatherings, B'nei Mitzvah celebrations, holiday observances, and day school services. I've had the privilege of tutoring B'nei Mitzvah students, teaching Hebrew school classes, helping to officiate weddings, and singing at memorial services. Words cannot fully express what it has meant to be entrusted with guiding this community through our most joyous celebrations and our most tender [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, June 13 2025
Shabbat Shalom, This week's Torah portion, Beha’alotcha, opens with a commandment regarding the lighting of the menorah—the seven-branched lampstand whose purpose was to bring light into the sacred space of the Tabernacle. God instructs Moses: “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you cause the light to go up…’” (Numbers 8:2). Not simply “light the lamps.” But “cause the light to go up”— בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ אֶת־הַנֵּרֹת. As always, our tradition finds deep meaning in the nuance. Aaron was not merely to ignite a flame, but to do so with care and intention—so that the light would rise on its own, enduring and strong. It’s a lesson in how we bring heat and fire into the world: not recklessly, but with patience, with purpose, and in service of something higher. Right now, there is a lot of heat in our city. Anger. Frustration. Fear. We are witnessing protests and disruptions throughout Los Angeles. Trust in public institutions is fraying. [...]