Posts by Peter Shir

In Isaiah Chapter 50, the prophet describes God’s relationship with Israel in a very pictorial and poetic language, typical of the prophets. The words that spoke loudly to me as I was studying the chapter began in verse 23. They describe how God aims to restore the dignity of his people who were oppressed and…

Many of us look forward to this celebration as the culmination of counting the days of the Omer – Shavuot (in 2026 it falls on Thursday evening, May 21). On Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), we commemorate the events of Sinai when all Israel witnessed God’s presence and heard his mighty voice. And much of this…

In Isaiah 60, Hashem speaks uplifting words to Israel through the prophet. He says Kumi ori ki ba orech “Rise and shine, give light, because your light has come.” Uchvod ADONAI alayich zara – “the glory of the LORD has risen upon you, like a dawn.” Israel, you have received light from God, and you…

Would it be helpful if we knew exactly what God wants from us? In Balak Haftatrah, in Chapter 6, Prophet Mikhah asks a question… How should one come before Hashem? Should one come with an olah, a burnt offering, yearling calves? Does God want thousands of rams? Ten thousand rivers of oil? Do I offer…

For some people, communal prayer means coming together as a group, with someone standing up front to pray out loud, representing everyone else’s prayers. For others, communal prayer means taking turns praying with others in the room, with the majority listening and agreeing. And for some, it’s more about everyone being in the same physical…

In Vayishalch (Genesis 32:4-36:43), Jacob reunites with his brother Esau. Dina is violated, and her brothers avenge her dishonor. These are stories of seeking peace and finding war and violence, contention, and the resolution of conflict. For this reason, the passage from the prophets that is read alongside these is a prophecy against Edom. It’s…

Holidays can be special occasions that are meaningful in many ways. Sukkot is one of my top favorites. It forces us out of our ordinary patterns into the Sukkah. It helps us to understand our relationship with God in very physical and earthy terms: through branches, through the walls of a shelter, and through a…

Earlier in the year, anticipating the Tammuz fast, I felt that I needed to teach about the spirituality of the holy Temple, the abode of divine glory in Jewish worship. I get many questions about the Temple and sacrifices. There are numerous misconceptions and unusual ideas related to the temple that I hear in Torah…

Hashem made us humans flexible and adaptable. And this can be seen as our strength and our weakness at the same time. On the one hand, we adapt to a changing world around us, but on the other hand, each time we do, we can change to something that is not good for us. We…

Connection with a greater community is essential in Judaism. Some religious activities can be solitary yet other worshippers have always played a crucial role in Jewish spirituality. An overwhelming number of commandments in Torah instruct us about our relationships with others. And there is a reason why many Jewish prayers are usually written in plural.…