Tag: blind
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The Value of Human Dignity
This talk was originally given on September 16, 2024 and hosted by Laasok.
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Disability as Beloved by G-d
This article was published in Lilith Magazine on August 16, 2024. You can read the full article here. Being a spiritual seeker is part of the human experience. Often, we reach out for connection and to know ourselves better through joining a synagogue or other Jewish institution, or by finding…
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Starting From the Same Beginner’s Mind
This teaching appeared as part of Hot Off The Shtender, a series of teachings from SVARA fellows. Starting From The Same Beginner’s Mind
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Kedoshim 5781
Our double parsha this week, Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, as with so much of Torah, covers a lot of ground and is multi-faceted and multi-layered. These parshiyot contain verses that have provided considerable strength and inspiration to us throughout the centuries, as well as verses that have caused tremendous pain. I am…
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On COVID-19 and New Accessible Opportunities For Us All
New Accessible Jewish Paradigm shifts in the Wake of COVID-19 March 20, 2020 This week has been a challenging and uncertain one for our world. We know we’re in this for the long haul, that things are going to get worse before they get better. Many of us feel…
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Kedoshim 5779
It has become something of a cliché in the circles I run in these days that when a teacher of Torah or a clergyperson from any religious tradition, for that matter, sits down to write a sermon, the sermon they often write is that which they most need to hear.…
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Jewish Disability Advocacy Day 2019 Dvar Torah
I was privileged to deliver the following dvar Torah at Jewish Disability Advocacy Day 2019, February 26, 2019 in Washington, D.C. Shalom friends! It is an honor and privilege to be with you all this morning as we gather for Jewish Disability Advocacy Day, a time for us as Jews…
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Tetzaveh 5779
This dvar Torah was delivered at Anshe Emet in Chicago. Parashat Tetzaveh, 11 Adar Rishon, 5779 Shabbat shalom! It is an honor and privilege to be with you this Shabbat. I wish to extend a sincere thanks to the Kehilah Kedoshah committee, as well as to the Anshe Emet clergy…
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Emor 5776
This commentary was written in May 2016, in the Jewish year 5776. Parashat Emor opens with a description of right priestly conduct. In Leviticus 21:17-23, we find a lengthy list of those Kohenim who have a mum—often translated as blemish which disqualifies them from sacrificial service. This list includes blind…
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Reasonable Accommodations Are A Torah Value
The Book of Exodus introduces us to Moshe, our tradition’s greatest prophet and teacher, who many understand to be a person who lived with a speech disability. In Exodus 4:10-16, G-d informs Moshe that he will lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt—from slavery to freedom. Moshe balks at…