In this episode, we explore the concept of yirah in Judaism, which encompasses both fear and awe, through the story of Moses at the burning bush. We discuss how this duality can guide our responses to challenges in the modern political landscape. Instead of allowing fear to drive division and exclusion, we can choose awe—embracing humility, reverence, and a sense of interconnectedness. By choosing awe over fear, we align our actions with Jewish values, leading to more just and compassionate decisions in both personal and political spheres

Judaism has a rich tradition of valuing community and justice. Judaism teaches us that being part of a community means contributing to its well-being. The Talmud emphasizes the importance of communal responsibility, stating that all of us are responsible for one another.

Hey Family,

In this podcast episode, I discuss the harmful effects of comparing the struggles of different marginalized groups, particularly antisemitism and anti-Black racism. While we can acknowledge the pain of antisemitism, we must emphasize that these comparisons minimize the unique suffering of Black individuals and communities, oversimplify complex issues, and create unnecessary competition. I advocate for empathy, solidarity, and open dialogue between communities as a better way forward to fight against all forms of hate and discrimination.

I also wrote about this in more detail in a May edition of my newsletter; the link is below.

https://open.substack.com/pub/rabbisandra/p/unity-not-competition-dismantling-394