“Don’t just do something! Stand there!” This is sagely advice from my sagely rabbi. Presence often outstrips actions, despite our natural inclination. Let the needing lead.

What’s the point? It’s a question as old as the days of Jeremiah and as contemporary as our own today. Singing, independently of our listeners, is both instinctual and learned behavior.

We all expect water to ebb and flow. Our commitment to a rich and fulfilling life can also be subject to an ebb and flow from the challenges we face. May we all find replenishment from Torah.

The right things will happen at the right time. When we’re ready. When the circumstances are ready. Cyclicality is the reassurance that ripeness will occur in the fullness of time.

The truly great are often also the most truly humble. It is easy - too easy - to get caught up in the exotic and lose sight of innate meaning. The Hooded Warbler reminded me.

Joy can come in many dimensions. Our tradition honestly and fully embraces the beautiful interplay between physical and emotional joy.

Joy can come in many dimensions. Our tradition honestly and fully embraces the beautiful interplay between physical and emotional joy.

None of us is likely to see the perfected world. All of us are obligated to work towards its achievement. Progress - hard and daunting - is our Divine challenge and inspiration.

When we are feeling depleted, when we are less than one, we are unable to be meaningfully paired. Shabbat is our restorative, reestablishing our capacity for a full life.

Family names are so powerful. They can be real or imagined - but always powerful. May we all live so that our names constitute blessings for all who share them after us.

What is Faith? Sometimes the ability to see what isn’t there. Sometimes the courage to enter into peril. And always a way to transcend limitations and reach new places.

This Juvenile Crested Caracara looks a bit… different. As it should. A parent’s role requires clear assessment and unconditional love. A tricky balance informed by our tradition!

Sometimes we need answers. Sometimes we need to struggle with questions. It’s important to recognize and to remember that the struggle has its own inherent value.

I knew all the detailed instructions. Only thing I forgot was… look up. And I missed the most important thing. Pilpul is a reminder to stay focused on what genuinely matters.

What we create - our contributions, our relationships, and our names - are our legacies. We immortalize those whom we care about by keeping their memories alive for a blessing.

Freedom is both a moment and a process. Passover’s miracles denote the moment, and our own remembrance through humble matzah emphasizes the process.

Honoring our teachers, our Great Ones, is fundamental to Jewish life. Teachers are considered surrogate parents and deserve - fully - all the honor we can bestow upon them.

“Service” can take many forms, from degrading toil to elevating contribution. Most importantly, we define for ourselves what our service means independently of others’ perspectives.

Studying ahead allows for anticipation and perspective. Put together, otherwise impossible opportunities - and beauty - become possible. Learn Hillel’s lesson!

Buffeting winds are inevitable and unpredictable. Our response can be either strong or weak - and planned. Tradition gives us guidance to be grounded and fly high.