Make Yourself a Trumpet, Toot Your Own Horn

Rabbi Bradley Artson
by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson
posted on June 4, 2004
Torah Reading
Haftarah Reading
This is the age of vicarious virtue: all of us prefer to continue living our lives in much the same way we always have, and all of us want our leaders to adhere to the standard of our words.  In that way, we get to enjoy our own laxity while still claiming credit for the morality of our ideals. Our mouths toot one thing and our deeds blare a different, more gaudy, tune. Read more...

The Menorah Shines For Who?

Rabbi Bradley Artson
by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson
posted on June 21, 2003
Torah Reading
Haftarah Reading
Welcome to the world of medieval Jewish debate.  The subject: the purpose of the 'mitzvot,' the commanded deeds of holiness that constitute Judaism.  At the core of the discussion, to whom is religion  directed?  Should Judaism exist to meet the needs of human beings, or should it exist to meet the needs of God?   Read more...

Trying to Remember the Reason I Forget

Rabbi Bradley Artson
by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson
posted on June 1, 2002
The human mind presents us with both a marvel and a mystery. Capable of mastering a remarkable range of complex tasks, of remembering obscure experiences or facts, that same organ will also forget an important appointment, an acquaintance's name, or the contents of this morning's breakfast. Simultaneously able to outperform a computer in our supple manipulation of data into concepts, each of us also faces the unpleasant reality that we continually forget information we desperately desire or need. Read more...

Trying To Remember The Reason I Forgot

Rabbi Bradley Artson
by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson
posted on June 5, 1999
 The human mind presents us with both a marvel and a mystery.  Capable of mastering a remarkable range of complex tasks, of remembering obscure experiences or facts, that same organ will also forget an important appointment, an acquaintance's name, or the contents of this morning's breakfast.  Simultaneously able to outperform a computer in our supple manipulation of data into concepts, each of us also faces the unpleasant reality that we continually forget information we desperately desire or need. Anyone who has reviewed notes taken in college or remarks scri Read more...