Sh'ma Now

Moving Beyond Hate

Dina BrawerJanuary 30, 2019

Hate permeates political discourse and many aspects of our daily experiences. We encounter overt or nuanced forms of hate in the street, in the workplace, and in politics. That hate is even extended to complete strangers, those we fear will impede our agendas or whose opinions we abhor. Although it may feel as though hate-filled speech and experiences are reaching new peaks in intensity, this condition is not new.

The Case for Incivility

Shaul MagidJanuary 30, 2019

When asked what he thought of “Western Civilization,” Mahatma Gandhi ostensibly responded, “I think it would be a good idea!” The notion of what it means to be “civil” and thus “civilized” has a long history that goes back to the ancient world. The word comes from the Latin civitas , to be a citizen, which in Roman law meant to be a free male of a particular stature. In the era of colonialism, and even before, it meant to be Christian. Those who did not know the truth of Christ were “uncivilized” and in need of moral education. Jews were often considered “uncivilized” because of their non-Christian mores and behaviors.

Elevating Strange Thoughts

Ariel Evan MayseJanuary 30, 2019

Cultivating a disposition of joy is among the core teachings of Hasidism. This optimistic posture is described by the Hasidic masters as a matter of choice rather than circumstance. Joy, or simkhah , represents a conviction that the cosmos shimmers with God’s vitality and that this sacred life-force is present in all things — including obstacles. Sadness cuts our ties to the people around us, becoming a heavy stone upon our religious life. Joy, on the other hand, fosters connectivity and enables meaningful encounters with others.

We’re All in the Same Boat Now

Mik MooreJanuary 30, 2019

Trump is president. Hate crimes are up. People are tense. And American Jews are worried. Jews are often worried. But what’s interesting now is which Jews are worried and why.