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I’m Rabbi Ken Brodkin—welcome to Torah Journey. Explore this website for insights into the Torah, the Weekly Parsha, Jewish Holidays & Seasons and more!

Each insight here is designed with YOU in mind. While the wisdom of the Bible and Judaism are amazing, it’s not always easy to understand the Torah, much less apply it to our modern lives.

My goal is to help you access, appreciate and apply the timeless wisdom of Judaism to your life. The posts here are meant to make you think—but they are also written to be understood. So please explore and enjoy these pieces, and remember, “life’s a journey, Torah’s a guide”.

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Table of Brotherhood

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | June 5, 2020 | Holiday, Parsha | 0 Comments

In 1820, when Missouri applied to join the union as a slave state,Thomas Jefferson described the ensuing dispute like a fire bell in thenight. It was a situation that aroused a vexing tension, just waiting toexplode. Jefferson sensed that he was living on the cusp of...

The Journey of the Convert

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | May 24, 2020 | Holiday, Shavuot | 0 Comments

Sitting across my desk, the husband looked at me as his wife gazed down. “Rabbi, he said, “we want to thank you for everything you’ve done for us. But we’ve decided not to continue with the conversion.” I wasn’t shocked at their decision, but it did feel like a loss....

Three Steps to Navigate a Faith Crisis

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | May 4, 2020 | Kedoshim, Parsha | 0 Comments

Recently, I reconnected with an old friend on Facebook after a 20-year hiatus. With our renewed “friendship”, I realized that his wife, whom I had known as a devout young lady, left Jewish observance along the way. These life changes happen over time. Seeing it...

You Are Not Alone

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | April 8, 2020 | Holiday, Pesach | 1 Comment

Haggadah & Jewish Survival Since the dawn of Jewish time, the Pesach Seder has been a communal affair. Families and groups of friends have gathered every year for thousands of years for this most widely celebrated Jewish holiday. This year, our Pesach tables will...

The Scent of Sacrifice

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | March 31, 2020 | Holiday, Parsha | 2 Comments

Restoring a fractured world A question has been circulating on social media about the Coronavirus quarantine: What’s the first thing you’ll do when it’s all over? It’s tempting to think about! But here’s alternative question to ponder: Where we will be when the...

How to Scale a Mountain

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | March 23, 2020 | Posts | 9 Comments

COVID-19 Base Camp As you read these words, you are living in a history book that has yet to be written. We are hastily trying to turn the pages, but the plot eludes us. We are disoriented. Our situation is a little bit like waking up in the wilderness. There’s...

Rebound

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | March 17, 2020 | Month, Parsha | 1 Comment

On Thursday night I got a frantic call from my wife. “I’m at Winco – get over here! I need you.” It’s not my wife’s usual response to shopping at Winco. I drove over as fast as I could. As I entered the store, all the panic I felt emanating from my cell...

A Time to Heal

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | March 9, 2020 | Holiday, Purim | 2 Comments

COVID-19 ~ A Megillah Remedy Last month, 109 people attended a sales conference held by a UK company at a Singapore hotel. Such an event would seem to be of minor significance. What impact could 100 people in a Singapore hotel have on our life? Turns out, quite...

Letters from Prison

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | March 2, 2020 | Holiday | 1 Comment

Doug Hodge, former CEO of Pacific Investment Management Company, was recently convicted and sentenced to prison for his role in the Varsity Blues Scandal. Following his conviction, Hodge wrote that he always prided himself on having a strong moral compass. How then...

Are You Happy Yet?

by Rabbi Ken Brodkin | February 24, 2020 | Holiday | 0 Comments

Today, Adar begins. Our rabbis teach: when Adar enters, joy increases. Does it really? Is there something tangible we can do that will make us happier during these days? Our world is changing quickly. Studies show that social media diminishes happiness in new ways....