Category: Steve Cohen

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a brain disease that is passed down in families from generation to generation. It is caused by a mistake in the DNA instructions that build our bodies and keep them running. DNA is made up of thousands of genes, and people with HD have a small error in one gene, called huntingtin. Over time this error causes damage to the brain and leads to HD symptoms…

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September 15, 2023. Two new years on one day? Yes! First, on September 15 I celebrated my 74th birthday. Second, the evening of September 15th (or 1 Tishre on the Jewish calendar) marked the beginning of the Jewish new year 5784…

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I know that there are many things that can start a conversation. Sometimes it is a message on a shirt, a logo on a jacket, or even world events that swirl around us. This summer when we were in Milwaukee for the LCMS national convention to set up our display, Jordan Peiser brought along a hat with two words on it in Hebrew…

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How hot is it? The temperatures in Georgetown Texas have been over a sizzling 100 degrees for the past umpteen days. This has meant we have to be creative to get out of the house with our pets so that they do not become stir crazy.

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Jewish Law makes it our duty to pray three times daily: in the morning, in the afternoon and at nightfall. These prayers are called morning prayer (shacharit), afternoon prayer (minchah) and evening prayer (arvith or maariv)…

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In Judaism, prayer is largely a group activity rather than an individual activity. Although it is permissible to pray alone and it fulfills the obligation to pray, you should generally make every effort to pray with a group, short of violating a commandment to do so…

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The Hebrew word mezuzah means “doorpost.” According to tradition, the mezuzah is to be affixed to the doorpost at the entrance to a Jewish home as well as at the entrance to each of the interior rooms except for bathrooms. The mezuzah itself consists of a small scroll of parchment (k’laf ) on which are written two biblical passages. The passage first is Deuteronomy 6:4–9…

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When was the last time you were surprised by joy during worship? Do you find your time in corporate gatherings more an act of routine than one of zeal before the Lord? Look at the faces of those around you. Do they reflect happiness and joy or a stoic resolve to get by another Sunday service?

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The day of Pentecost is marked on May 28th this year. This is one of three “let’s go up to Jerusalem” festivals the Lord gave to Israel in Leviticus 23. This initial purpose was to bring up the portion of the wheat harvest to replenish the storehouses for the Priests who ministered on behalf of the rest of Israel. Initially, it was an agricultural festival. Over time, Pentecost (Shavuot – which means weeks) became associated with the giving of the law to Moses on Mt. Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. The day is traditionally celebrated by studying Torah all night (or late into the night), eating dairy products, attending synagogue, reading the Book of Ruth, and abstaining from work.

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In the context of Hebrew prayer, the term “kavannah” (also spelled “kavanah”) refers to the intention, focus, or mindfulness that an individual brings to their prayer experience. It is the inner devotion, concentration, and sincerity that one seeks to cultivate during prayer.

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