This week we’ll expand from our regular learning of the Parshah to think about Judaism more broadly. Why: Judging on the side of merit - l'chaf zechut! While all want Jewish unity, it’s much easier to talk about than to actually achieve. This Shabbat, let us take one step towards that by developing our empathic imagination and exploring how the practices of other Jews (and Jews throughout history) might not be as strange or bewildering as they seem at first but instead wise and meaningful for them and in their context. In doing so, who knows what lessons we might learn that are meaningful and inspiring to ourselves?! What: Bring your best and hardest questions about why we (or other Jews) do the funny, strange, and beautiful things that we do. Bring an openness to reconsidering your long-held views. What Jewish practices do you want to have more empathy and appreciation for, and to learn from? Note: I'm specifically and only interested in these kinds of questions, not general Jewish trivia. Rabbi Google is always happy to answer the latter.