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Our 2026 Pesach Seder Supplement
Our Pesach Seder Supplement is a collection of reflections, poetry, and short readings designed to weave into your Seder. Featuring voices from our learning community, it invites you to explore themes of memory, liberation, and social justice—and to bring those themes alive at your table. Read more
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What is Judaism?
For me, learning has always been the way that Judaism comes alive. When I open a page of Talmud or read a midrash on the weekly Torah portion, I feel myself part of something that transcends me. I feel like I’m learning from my ancestors, arguing with the ancient sages, and thinking through life’s questions… Read more
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Reclaiming Shabbat
Shabbat belongs to non-Orthodox Jews too. By Rabbi Micah Streiffer Did you know that the Jews invented the weekend? Imagine living in a world without the Sabbath. Where every day was a workday. Where the markets were always open. Where some people (i.e. the rich and powerful) had lots of leisure time; and others (slaves,… Read more
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Heretic Torah
By Rabbi Micah Streiffer Did you hear the one about the heretic who rode his horse on Shabbat? The Talmud (Chagigah 15a) tells a story in which a rabbi-turned-heretic named Elisha ben Abuya was riding his horse on Shabbat, in violation of traditional Jewish law. Meanwhile, his former student Rabbi Meir walked beside him to… Read more
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“A Spectrum of Meaningful Human Difference” (Korach/Pride Shabbat)
Thoughts for Pride Shabbat.By Rabbi Micah Streiffer, Founder of LAASOK.Cross-posted with micahstreiffer.com. Judaism is full of blessings. There’s a blessing for bread, a blessing for wine. A blessing for fruits and vegetables and other various foodstuffs. There are blessings for seeing and enjoying a beautiful natural scene – a rainbow, a sunset. There are blessings… Read more
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B’ha-alot’cha: Transitional Moments
Each week we invite a different rabbi or Jewish thought leader to write a “Taste of Torah” on the weekly portion – always from a progressive, inclusive perspective. To receive LAASOK’s Taste of Torah by email each week, subscribe to our newsletter. This week’s author is Rabbi Sarah Smiley. Rabbi Sarah Smiley is the rabbi… Read more
