Monthly Archives: July 2010

Speed Reading?

Posted on July 29, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

My first rabbinic position was as an assistant rabbi. I started during the summer, right around now, during the post Tisha’Bav lull. I was a newly minted rabbi and was joining an established shul, whose rabbi had been in that … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 62 Comments

Shimon

Posted on July 22, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

I have a congregant, let’s call him Shimon. Shimon is a BT (used to be Steve). Shimon is a quality person, has a good job and a nice family. Fairly typical and clichéd, at least in my community. Shimon and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 161 Comments

Magical Thinking

Posted on July 20, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Magical Thinking Loss has a hybrid quality to it. It can be intangible and physical, general and personal. In my last post I discussed a general loss, in that case the loss of the beis ha-mikdash and how we may … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 115 Comments

The Temple

Posted on July 16, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

The Temple The Temple. It was always referred to a beis ha-mikdash. As a Rabbi, I know my role is to mourn, to commemorate and to remind my congregants of what we lost on Tisha B’Av, and all that we … Continue reading →

Posted in Tisha be-Av | 120 Comments

Emancipation and Other Pursuits

Posted on July 13, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Freedom is not a binary thing. It can be defined, but its definition need not be all-encompassing. Freedom can include as severe restrictions and unpleasant experience as there was before, but it is only the perspective that has changed. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 113 Comments

Tipping Point

Posted on July 8, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Tipping Point Memory is a funny thing and it is often not to be trusted. The thick cloud of history obscures the truth hidden behind that impenetrable wall of yesterday, and our thoughts and deeds and motivations become the ether … Continue reading →

Posted in beginnings | 143 Comments

Why do I write?

Posted on July 6, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Why do I write Some people have questioned the existence and propriety of this site. First, no one is forcing anyone to read this. If you don’t like it or you aren’t interested, don’t waste your time here, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in beginnings | 49 Comments

Fear, Not

Posted on July 5, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

Fear, Not Of all the noteworthy things I’ve gleaned from the comments to my actually existing and in laying out where I am coming from and what my perspective is, it was not the vitriol—unfortunately, that is a standard and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 82 Comments

In the beginning

Posted on July 1, 2010 by theorthopraxrabbi

In the Beginning… There is no easy way to explain why or how the light suddenly goes on, how something just clicks, and all the disparate information that you have accumulated but have shuttered away due to a lingering sense … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 146 Comments