Rabbi Weill's Blog

May 9th, 2025

Dear Friends,

Mind your PJQ's. Provocative Jewish Questions, that is. On frequent Friday nights, that's what we are doing. I am presenting a challenging topic and then inviting your responses. The topics range from communal to the theological. One recent topic challenged our community's focus on anti-Semitism; another challenged our understanding of monotheism.

To be honest, raising these questions makes me a little uncomfortable, for they are not merely provocative; they challenge notions we consider ironclad and sacred. Nonetheless, we Jews claim to be comfortable with questions, even radical ones. Our sages, a couple of millennia ago -- boy oh boy, they were surprisingly and refreshingly comfortable entertaining the most challenging ideas.

As we engage in these PJQ discussions, I insist we listen and not judge each other. Many of us within the Jewish community have become atrophied in our thinking. I hope these PJQ's shake us up and open our minds. 

Finally, I do not expect any of us -- in fact, I hope none of us -- offer definitive answers to these PJQ's. I'd prefer that we offer responses and not firm answers. Certainty equals stagnation. 

I plan on leading PJQ discussions frequently at Friday services (7:30 p.m.), but not always. I'll continue to offer Jews Who Do Great Things presentations at Koleinu.

I am not in town this Shabbat, but Cantor Gale will lead a great service. I hope to see you at a Friday night service soon. Let's all mind our PJQ's and learn from each other.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill