poetry — Rabbi Adam Lavitt — Sermons & Writing

Rav Kook, an early 20th century rabbi and philosopher explains in that moment, Adam “did not know how to give a clear answer to the question, ‘Where are you?’, because he did not know himself, because he had lost [touch with his essence].” I’m sure we can all relate to this feeling. Especially at this point in pandemic, we are all just trying to get through the day. As Aline mentioned at Community Meeting, “How are you?” is no longer a good question, because we just don’t know the answer anymore.

sermonAdam LavittOctober 2, 2021relationships, poetry, self care

Living Poetry: Revaluing Religion (Rosh Hashanah Day 5782)

Today, we return to a collection of powerful metaphors: a Book of Life we yearn to be written in for a year of health and happiness; the shofar (the ram’s horn), which evokes the wails of our foremothers as they confronted unspeakable loss and sought consolation; the gates of prayer that stand open before us, assuring us our heart’s longings might be received at this special time of year. These images point toward truths about life we sense but cannot name.

sermonAdam LavittSeptember 7, 2021High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah, metaphor, religion, poetry, theology, image of God

What I Learned about Teshuva from Getting Lost in the Woods (Rosh Hashanah Day Sermon 5780)

I recently spoke with a friend of mine about our college days. I told him I e-mailed someone we were friendly with as undergraduates. I felt like I’d been a bad friend for not staying in touch, but chose to reach out anyway. Even after 15 years, our friend was delighted to hear from me, and told me to call her anytime. My friend Keith, now an Episcopal monk, said our relationship with old friends is like our relationship with God: many of us come to believe God doesn’t want to hear from us, that we’re, say, “bad Jews”. We often wait until we’re in a desperate situation to reach out. But the Psalmist counsels us: "Seek out the Source and you will find It / Call to the Divine Presence, and It will be close." When we decide to return, God, like an old friend, eagerly waits at the door to welcome us back home.

Adam LavittSeptember 30, 2019nature, poetry, purpose, repentance

Writing the World into Being (Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon 5779)

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the birthday of the world, yom harat olam. The moment the universe shimmered with possibility. That is why we say, “On Rosh Hashanah it is written”: the ink is still fresh. We imagine what words might fill the pages of the year ahead. But it’s so hard to stay focused on the white space of this new chapter when our vision is cluttered with headlines.

Adam LavittSeptember 9, 2018hope, poetry, history

Ma'ariv

Balance is not a perfect blend / of extremes. It is something that takes place / inside a larger system. It is a perspective,

an awareness that makes space for us / to fully experience winter and then spring, / light and then darkness. / Darkness and then light.

Adam LavittJuly 2, 2018poetry, chaplaincy, resilience

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