From Light to Light: A Chanukah Drash
Torah, Philosophy & Theory Liana Wertman Torah, Philosophy & Theory Liana Wertman

From Light to Light: A Chanukah Drash

The fire of Torah rages when we try to control it through fear. Its words, supposed lessons, and immutability hurt us as we try to confine it for our own perceived sense of safety. And it burns us when we try to become it, be consumed by it. But that same fire is creative when we work alongside it, actually trying to understand it. When we treat Torah with the deep reverence of our attention and our care, the fire burns bright creating light for us and through us.

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A Glue-Covered Omer
Torah, Philosophy & Theory, Fine Art Risa Friedman Torah, Philosophy & Theory, Fine Art Risa Friedman

A Glue-Covered Omer

The counting custom includes reflecting on one of seven sefirot, the qualities or attributes of G-dliness, each week. In chassidic thought, the spectrum of human experience is composed of these seven fundamental emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot, the period known as the Omer, are specifically set aside for introspection and improvement of each emotion.

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I Can No Longer Come and Go: Parshat Va’Yelech & The Death of Socrates
Torah, Philosophy & Theory, Art History Rabbi Daniel Gutenmacher Torah, Philosophy & Theory, Art History Rabbi Daniel Gutenmacher

I Can No Longer Come and Go: Parshat Va’Yelech & The Death of Socrates

In The Death of Socrates, the chalice of poison is about to be handed to Socrates by one of his disciples. In the background at the staircase walks his wife; her hand raised gesturing farewell, echoing her husband’s hand raised in the philosopher’s resolute idealism.

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