Author Archives: Rabbi Evan
I show the way Jewish wisdom make our lives richer and happier. In particular, I help Jews appreciate their heritage and Christians uncover the Jewish roots of their faith. Get my FREE Jewish holidays cheat sheet by clicking here.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignited some criticism with his remark that he is speaking on behalf of the Jewish people. While he leads the Jewish state, he does not, as he would surely admit in private, speak for all of Judaism. No one does.
The reason lies in a peculiar Yiddish word: Chutzpah.
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]Chutzpah has no exact English translation. The closest equivalent would be “audacity” or “boldness.”
But chutzpah also contains an element of passion, social concern and self-confidence. Someone with chutzpah knows what she believes, and knows that she is right.
Chutzpah Makes a Pope Impossible Continue reading
I have been reading the Harry Potter books alongside my seven-year-old daughter. By far the most intriguing character is Voldemort, otherwise known as “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]When I first hear that description, I thought of the ways Jews reference God. When referring to God outside of prayer, many traditional Jews say “Hashem” which means “the name.” It is a way of calling upon God without saying God’s name.
God’s name is too mysterious and powerful for human beings to say. In other words, God is the one who must not be named.
Yet, following the tragedies unfolding in Europe and refusal of many in our political leadership and culture to confront it, I think a new understanding is necessary. The threat of Islamic fundamentalism–more specifically, the hatred of Jews and others driven by radical terrorists claiming the banner of Islam–has become the global force so many refuse to name. Continue reading
Yesterday temperatures in Chicago reached -30. Today is not much better.
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]I try to look on the bright side of things, even in this frigid world. I came across the quote from Rabbi Harold Kusher, who wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People
When I have to walk or drive in a snowstorm or a driving rain, I hate it. I find it uncomfortable, even dangerous. but when I am safe and warm inside my home, looking out at the thunderstorm or the falling snow, I respond very differently. I suspect we all do.
For reasons my rational mind can’t fully comprehend, it feels good to feel small and overwhelmed, but at the same time to be safe and protected, during the storm. It is a welcome comfort to know that there is a Power in the world which far exceeds my own.
From Who Needs God
Six months ago rioters trapped and threatened hundreds of Jews in a two Paris synagogues. At the time I wrote “the rioters in France today and their supporters threaten not only Jews. They threaten anyone who cares about tolerance, decency and democracy.”
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]
Yesterday that prediction proved true. A group of fanatical Muslim gunmen murdered 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper.
Aside from wringing our heads in wonder and disgust, how should we understand such acts? What causes them? Can anything stop them? Continue reading
While itching under my arm, I felt a lump. I thought it was my imagination at first. It turned out to be my worst night.
Tests soon revealed I had breast cancer. Continue reading
Happy New Year! In the excitement of thinking about goals for the coming year, I decided to take a look at what I had written and resolved at this time last year. My excitement quickly waned.
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]A year ago, following Michael Hyatt’s fantastic program, I had written 10 goals for 2014. I achieved only two of them. Is this a failure? Perhaps. Yet, it puts me in good company. And it also reminds us of the real reasons we set goals. Continue reading
Dave always had a smile on his face. He would crack jokes to me throughout the service. He seemed like the happiest man in the world.
As I got to know him more, however, I saw the weariness behind the smile. He had not had an easy life. His wife died at a young age. He had struggled in business. His kids lived far away.
Still, he radiated happiness. As David Brooks wrote recently, age and happiness go hand and hand. Perhaps our expectations change. Perhaps what we value shifts. Whatever the case, studies suggest a strong correlation.
Weak Bodies, Strong Souls
Indeed, we not only grow happier. We also grow wiser. Now, neither is a guarantee. As my grandfather often said, the only sure things in life are death and taxes.
Yet, age and experience give us more opportunities to grow in wisdom. As the body grows weaker, our soul can grow stronger.
The Chanukah Lights
We embody throughout Chanukah. The oil we use to light the candles represents our bodies. It is physical matter.
The flame, on the other hand, represents our wisdom. It creates light. It brings intangible warmth.
On the first enough we have a lot of oil—enough for eight nights—but only one flame of light. We are strong in body and short in wisdom.
As the holiday progresses, however, the oil diminishes but the flames grow brighter. We grow in wisdom, even as our bodies deteriorate.
The wisest person I knew was my 95 year old grandfather, who taught me profound as he lay on a hospital bed. I think of him as the eight lights of Hanukkah burn brightly.
President Obama had a busy Tuesday. First he upended a 50-year US-Cuban Cold War. Then he celebrated Chanukah with 400 Jews from across the United States. He probably got a national security briefing somewhere in-between.
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]Doing my best to wish the President a Happy Chanukah. [/featured-image]
As I watched the president speak and light the Chanukah candles last Tuesday, I felt immense gratitude.
Gratitude for having been born in the United States; Gratitude for the community in Highland Park, Illinois that I serve and represented at the White House; and Gratitude for seeing the lesson of Chanukah realized that very day, as American Alan Gross returned home from a Cuban prison.
In fact, the President delivered extraordinary remarks, drawing from the Chanukah story to describe the day’s events. Chanukah, he reminded us, is not only a story about an ancient Jewish community. It is about the struggle of many around the world today. Continue reading
As the year turns, we dream. We dream of what we might have done this past year. More importantly, we dream of the future. We plan and set goals.
[featured-image single_newwindow=”false”]
My friend Michael Hyatt teaches an amazing process for this, and one of his key insights is “Dream big, even delusional, then dial it back a bit.”
But I have a counter-intuitive suggestion. The best way to achieve our dreams is to help others achieve their own.
This idea did not originate with me. It’s right out of the Bible. In particular, we see it in the life of Joseph, the youngest son of the Israelite patriarch Jacob and Prime Minister of Egypt. Continue reading