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38 results total, viewing 1 - 10

As it turns out, each of the seven haftarah readings following Tisha B’Av is taken from the writings of a biblical prophet who has no name. Though nobody knows the name of Second Isaiah, much of the world knows the power of his writing. more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 9/4/26

E Pluribus Unum

During the 33 years, 1974-2007, that I was rabbi of Temple Habonim in Barrington, I took it for granted that I was a citizen of one of the most stable democracies in the world. Of course,... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 8/7/26

Eleven years later

Not quite 11 years ago, what was then called The Jewish Voice published my column titled “How to Talk About the Iran Deal.” Before going back to what I wrote in that previous column, let me point out that criticism of J Street, which considers... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 7/1/26

For the sake of heaven?

“Every controversy which is for the sake of heaven is destined to be of lasting significance, but any controversy which is not for the sake of heaven will not be of lasting significance.” (from Pirkey Avot, chapter 5) It is no secret that for... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 6/9/26

Call Me Ishmaelle

Many readers of this column know that I have had a long, complex, and nourishing relationship with Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.” My first serious encounter with this book was back in 1961-1962 during my senior year in high school, when I had the... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 5/5/26

“Other Voices” The Whiteness of the Whale

Those of you who spent the winter here in Rhode Island do not need to be reminded of how cold it was and how the 18 inches or so of snow that fell statewide on Sunday, Jan. 25, blanketed us for many subsequent weeks; and how the record-breaking... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 4/12/26

Are we God’s favorites?

Given all the different kinds of animals that creep, crawl, climb, and stampede upon our Planet Earth – that thrive and survive within our rivers, lakes, and seas – that soar and dance within our spacious skies, has God singled out us human beings... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 3/4/26

'We Gotta Get Out of This Place'

“We gotta get out of this place If it’s the last thing we ever do We gotta get out of this place Girl, there’s a better life for me and you” I don’t know why these words from 60 years ago from a hit song from the British rock group The... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 2/4/26

In search of imperfection

“As a performer, one has a mission, like Coltrane, to take your solo out to talk to God.” This is the opening sentence of an Opinion piece in this past Dec. 2 issue of “The New York Times” entitled “The Quest for Perfection Is Stunting Society;”... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 1/21/26

Trying to read the tide

“The Sea of Faith Was once, too, at the full, and round earth’s shore Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled. But now I only hear Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar…” So begins the third stanza of “Dover Beach,” by Matthew Arnold... more

Rabbi James Rosenberg | 12/4/25