Studies in Spirituality (Covenant & Conversation Book 9)

Sometimes the greatest have the least self-confidence, because they know how immense is the responsibility and how small they feel in relation to it. Courage does not mean having no fear. It means having fear but overcoming it. If that is true of physical courage it is no less true of moral and spiritual courage.

Jacob did what he did as an expression of love. His feeling for Rachel was overwhelming, as it was for Joseph, her elder son. Love is central to Judaism: not just love between husband and wife, parent and child, but also love for God, for neighbour and stranger. But love is not enough. There must also be justice and the impartial application of the

That is one of the striking differences between the synagogues and the cathedrals of the Middle Ages. In a cathedral you sense the vastness of God and the smallness of humankind. But in the Altneushul in Prague or the synagogues of the Ari and Rabbi Joseph Karo in Safed, you sense the closeness of God and the potential greatness of humankind. Many

Enthusiasts were people who, full of religious passion, believed that God was inspiring them to do deeds in defiance of law and convention.

we are to Him, even in the hard times. To be holy means to bear witness to the presence of God in our, and our people’s, lives.

We can make a difference, and it is potentially immense. That should be our mindset, always.

The mental shift this involved came to be known, especially in cognitive behavioural therapy, as reframing. Just as a painting can look different when placed in a different frame, so can a life.

and present danger to the future of liberty.

That is what we as Jews are meant to do: to have the courage to be different, to challenge the idols of the age, to be true to our faith while seeking to be a blessing to others regardless of their faith.