Welcome to my Blog and Podcast site. I am glad you are here, and hope that you will return frequently.

I would like to open my Blog with the question of whether blogging is something a rabbi, or any Jew, should do. Why would it not be? Much of Jewish wisdom literature advocates a demeanor that seems inconsistent with blogging. For example, the Jewish sage Shammai taught in the Mishnah, "…say little, but do much." (Pirkei Avot 1:15) Shammai might have said that blogging is a way of doing the opposite, not doing much but saying a lot. The same tractate of the Mishnah also emphasizes that one should be a humble person. The Talmud too puts great emphasis on humility, and humility is considered to be one of the great virtues of Moses.

But there is something about the modern rabbinate that calls for some moderation in humility. Congregational rabbis deliver sermons, give Divrei Torah (talks about things in the Torah), and write. All of these activities require the rabbi to believe that s/he has something worth saying, writing, hearing, or reading. Too much of even a good thing becomes a bad thing. Like all rabbis, I must strike a balance between my tradition's emphasis on humility, and the demands of the rabbinic role as teacher and leader of a congregation.

As you see, I have decided that I do have some thoughts worth sharing. I hope that after reading some blog entries, and listening to or viewing some podcasts, you will find what I have to say worthwhile. That does not mean you will always agree with me, but hearing points of view that differ from your own is more important that hearing someone else articulate what you already think yourself. So I will blog and podcast, and I hope you will read and listen regularly. As you may know, you can subscribe to podcasts so they come to you automatically.

As for the issue of my own humility, worry not. The words of the great Golda Meir will prevent me from becoming too full of myself. What did she say that will do that for me? She said, "Don't be so humble. You're not that great."

Until next time, Shalom.