Which comes first, task or relationship?
By Debbi K. Levy In a moment when I’m feeling on top of the world, a community member compliments me about my ability to “do it all.” “How do you…
Can needlework be Jewish?
By Debbi K. Levy Exodus 28:33-34 describes the priestly garment for Aaron this way: “On its hem make pomegranates of blue, purple and crimson yarns, all around the hem, with…
‘The First Mrs. Rothschild’: a book review
By Debbi K. Levy Very few things fill me with contentedness the way writing does. The private journaling for myself to process my thoughts, or even the public writing practice…
Busy with Torah? How much is too much?
By Debbi K. Levy The Talmud strongly asserts, “Remember that the day of death approaches.” Don’t waste even one day. The well-known and often quoted words of Rabbi Tarfon from…
My dream apprenticing with Bezalel
By Debbi K. Levy Exodus 35:30-31: “And Moses said to the Israelites: See, Hashem has singled out by name Bezalel, son of Uri son of Hur, of the tribe of…
Reluctantly taking leave
By Debbi K. Levy “Once or twice in a lifetime, a man or woman may choose a radical leaving, having heard Lech I’cha — Go forth. God disturbs us toward…
What Zipporah might have been thinking
By Debbi K. Levy Here I go again. At the time of writing, I was supposed to be reading and making notes on the week’s Torah portion, Yitro, but I…
How can our homes inspire awe?
By Debbi K. Levy It’s 6:15 p.m., and I just came home from a long but good day of work and pickleball practice with my team. The only thing on…
Another telling of David and Goliath
The overthrow of Goliath the Philistine by our celebrated hero, King David, is not only found in our sacred texts, but told l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. As a…
An open letter to Matriarch Rachel
By Debbi K. Levy Dear Rachel, May I call you that? I realize I am introducing myself across time and space and I would only want to address you in…