THE GREATEST FAMILY REUNION IN HISTORY
Abraham’s divided branches and the deeper possibility behind the Abraham Accords The Bible is, among other things, a long family story—a story of lineage, inheritance, promises, and disputes. And as everyone knows, families are complicated. Some excellent family and estate lawyers are Jewish. Perhaps we have had a particularly long apprenticeship. God did tell us […]
A CURIOUS THOUGHT
On these “days of assembly” I had a curious thought: might a sign of Yeshua be hidden in the totals of the animal sacrifices listed in chapter 29 of Bamidbar—the Book of Numbers? It led to an equally curious finding. Numbers 29 details the blood sacrifices appointed for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and the […]
OUR FATHER HEARS, OUR KING RULES
Two Sons, Different Destinies The Scripture readings assigned to this day were established centuries before September 11 carried its terrible meaning. They were not chosen in response to modern events. Yet as Rosh Hashanah begins on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I find their connections to one another—and to our own time—profoundly relevant. These are […]
A SILENT CALL TO REMEMBER
The Shofar Rests Silent on 9/11 Tonight, at sundown, the Sabbath and Rosh Hashanah begin together. Rosh Hashanah means “Head of the Year.” The Hebrew calendar advances from 5786 to 5787, and the date becomes 1 Tishrei. The holiday is biblically called Yom Teruah—the Day of Blasting. This year, it begins on the evening of […]
ELIJAH, HAVDALAH AND THE COMING MESSIAH
A Conversation, a Gate and an Unexpected Question When a still, small voice is affirmed three times, I pay closer attention. This time, fittingly, it led me to Elijah. Early this morning, on my way to the airport, I was telling a good friend about something I had written only a few days earlier. It […]
BOASTING AGAINST THE BRANCHES
RESPONSE TO AN ATTACK Last night, during a Bible study, one man launched into an attack on Jews that brought a hateful spirit into a room where people had gathered to hear Scripture. I tried to redirect attention to the pastor leading the study, but the attack continued—and I am certain he wanted me, a […]
WHAT NUMBER DOES “GRACE” REMIND YOU OF?
What Grace Teaches Us A Study in Two Stories, One Book, One God Preface An old high school friend invited me to dinner. He is a faithful Christian, so I was certain that we would begin the meal by saying grace. It also happens that his favorite number is seven. Those two details caused me […]
FROM THE HOUSE OF SLAVES TO THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD
The Long Biblical Arc from Exodus 20:2 to Salvation Preface I believe the Bible is one Book containing two stories about one God—the God of Israel. As a Jew, I dared to open the whole Book and read it. All the while, I asked God for Chokhmah and Binah—the wisdom to see and the understanding […]
STONES & SKULLS
Before Calvary Was Calvary Two Stories, One Book, One God Preface: An Invitation to Look Again This article does not ask anyone to believe what I believe. It is an invitation to empathy and understanding. Christians should try to understand why many Jews instinctively turn away from Calvary and the cross. Jews should try to […]
ENVY CROUCHES AT THE DOOR
The Spirit of Cain and How It Threatens the American Dream Preface We have shut the Bible out of much of public life—and with it, more wisdom than most people realize. Open its door, and it takes us directly to the Ten Commandments. The final commandment warns us not merely against stealing what belongs […]