Lack of Relevance

The Elijah Institute recently published a survey that noted that Jews scored lowest in perceiving that their religion has a message relevant to their lives and today’s world.

When learning becomes the acquisition of information; when ritual becomes the ticket for joining a social club – I guess irrelevance is the result.

Parker Palmer writes: “My vocation is the spiritual life, the quest for God, which relies on the eye of the heart. My avocation is education, the quest for knowledge, which relies on the eye of the mind. I have seen life through both these eyes as long as I can remember – but the two images have not always coincided… I have been forced to find ways for my eyes to work together, to find a common focus for my spirit-seeking heart and my knowledge-seeking mind that embraces reality in all its amazing dimensions.”

Perhaps his words (and writings) should become required for rabbinical students. He succeeded in speaking to the condition of the soul. He spoke to mine.

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The Challenge of Being Considerate

"Airplanes are a good place to find and express living in the Image of God. It's tight, crowded, and there is little personal space. People are challenged just to get up to go to the bathroom, or to find places to put their arms.
People are tired. Stressed. Nobody knows if the other person is going to an important business meeting, to visit a sick relative, or if it's just their first time flying.
It's a good opportunity to behave as you think God might. Seeing others being accommodating, even in challenging circumstances, is inspiring. I try to be as giving as possible, as considerate as possible.

Sometimes it IS challenging, but that's the part that makes one notice that it's an effort to behave differently than one might otherwise be naturally inclined."

Lack of Relevance

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