Every weapon has a recoil: when used, it kicks back at the one who used it. Among the reasons that Dr. King was a great man was that he knew how to choose his weapon.

Jerusalem from time immemorial has been the heart of the Jewish people. A request for its rebuilding is included in our prayers three times a day and all Jews, no matter where in the world, face Jerusalem to pray.

While we need to make strong commitments to create meaningful religious identities and vibrant communities, love cannot flourish through the dogmatic imposition of one person's view of truth to the exclusion of other perspectives.

Passover celebrates love. It is not the love of candy and cards, but a love where souls are obligated and ennobled. It is love deep, passionate, purposeful and true.

I'm Jewish. I was raised with the notion that I should someday marry another Jewish person, raise Jewish children and once and for all make my Jewish mother and grandmothers happy. Yet, I know plenty of self-identified Jews who might as well be practicing a religion from Mars.

The coupling of Madonna and Opus Dei is an intriguing one that brings two seemingly irreconcilable public perceptions into stark juxtaposition. But our public perceptions are only part of the story.

The bottom line is that the language of gender is no different than the language of emotions or consciousness. These are descriptions of the human experience of the divine.

One of my favorite Passover rituals is the reading in synagogue of the biblical book the Song of Songs. Its images evoke spring and are perfect for this season of rebirth.