Chapter 7:8-11 Your stature seemed tall as a palm tree, And your breasts, the clusters of its fruit. I said, “Let me climb into that palm tree, And take hold of its branches.” May your breasts be like clusters Of grapes on a vine, The fragrance of your breath Like apples, And your mouth, like … Continue reading Shir HaShirim (Re’eh) →

Choose Life! I have set before you Life and Death, blessing and curse. Choose Life! (Deuteronomy 30:19) Not just once a year, once a week or even each day, but every single moment we can choose Life. This means choosing to let go of a negative thought or judgment; it means choosing to live with … Continue reading Yom Kippur 5776 (2015) →

Rabbi Shefa has presented these High Holy Day teachings as sermons to various congregations. Rosh Hashanah Being a Mystic in the Midst of the World Plank An Exploration of Joy Fundamental Well-Being Inner Sovereignty Establishing Pathways of T’shuvah Attention, Awareness and Devotion Dealing with Adversity A Meditation on Creation The Cheerios Miracle Paying Homage The … Continue reading High Holy Days →

Deuteronomy29:9-30:20 (Standing) The Israelites stand before God and receive the covenant. They are encouraged to step up to the blessings and challenges of Torah. Click to see Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20 in Hebrew with the English JPS (1985) translation. THE BLESSING NITZAVIM TELLS US that we stand before God in our wholeness. This completeness infuses us with … Continue reading Nitzavim →