self care — Rabbi Adam Lavitt

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

Two-Line Torah: Emor 5777--Choosing time

This week’s parasha enumerates the dates and observances of the main Jewish festivals and Shabbat. Reading these instructions, the rabbis notice something peculiar: while the Torah refers to Shabbat as mo’adai, “my chosen times”, it refers to the rest of the festivals as mo’adam, “their chosen time” (Lev 23:2, 4). The rabbis conclude this is because our ancestors needed to choose when to observe the holidays based on their own calculations. By contrast, God sanctified Shabbat at the beginning of time for all time.

Adam LavittMay 7, 2017Emor, time, self care, Shabbat, college

Compassion is a Skill

The other day, friends of mine shared how they crack each other up by furrowing their brows and casting worried looks at each other. This physical comedy routine was inspired by people’s looks of concern and pity in response to the loss of a close friend of theirs. Fortunately my friends were able to make a joke out of that intense look of worry that crossed people’s faces and which betrayed their friends’ needs, rather than allowing them to attend to the needs of my grieving friends.

Adam LavittApril 20, 2016compassion, self care, pity

Taking the Time to Cultivate Your Inner Garden

Over the next few weeks, I will see several friends receive the title “Rabbi." I remember how touching my ordination ceremony was for me, but also how much was unknown outside the walls of the sanctuary where my ceremony took place: What kind of work did I want to do in the long run? How would I continue to thrive outside the community of learning that had formed me as a rabbi? How would I make new friends as an adult? What would “success” look like to me in my rabbinic work?

Adam LavittJune 10, 2015career, vocation, self care, graduation

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