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Responding to the unthinkable

An op-ed in today’s Boston Globe led me to the book Responsa to the Holocaust. This book is going on my summer reading list. The level of commitment to God in the face of such horror amazes me. Dealing with crisis as a religious person is difficult enough; as a community I cannot comprehend it.

The Princess and the Commoner « alBostoni

The Princess and the Commoner « alBostoni. An Andalusian Princess in her Cordovan castle was told that a commoner was at the gates. “The same one your majesty, whom you never let in.” A mistress feeling pity for him pleaded that he be granted entrance, to which the princess replied: “There are people who come to be in my presence. There are those who come seeking sustenance. And there are those whom I must admit entrance, lest they feel abandoned and revolt against life and my family. But then there is this commoner who is perplexing.  He comes neither for…

Last Night I Cried

Last night was Laylat ul-Qadr, the night of power, the night Qur’anic revelation began. “Read in the name of your Lord Who created you from a clot of blood God the most bountiful who taught you by the pen taught what you did not know.” Read is the first command. During a dhikr tasbih last night, I was terribly moved. Group prayer is such a wonderful experience and the loud recitation, late at night, is a good way to feel the presence of the Divine. It was a lovely and indescribable. Just wanted to share. Back to the first command.…