Zvika Krieger

Yeah, synagogue adjacent. Yeah.

Well, yes. And like what I, I promised myself when I, when I went to rabbinical school, but even more so when I took on this job, I promised myself that I would not have a rabbi persona, that I would not have like my rabbi persona and my like friend persona or like private persona. I know so many people who are in spiritual leadership who live sort of these double lives.

Well, yes. And like what I, I promised myself when I, when I went to rabbinical school, but even more so when I took on this job, I promised myself that I would not have a rabbi persona, that I would not have like my rabbi persona and my like friend persona or like private persona. I know so many people who are in spiritual leadership who live sort of these double lives.

Well, yes. And like what I, I promised myself when I, when I went to rabbinical school, but even more so when I took on this job, I promised myself that I would not have a rabbi persona, that I would not have like my rabbi persona and my like friend persona or like private persona. I know so many people who are in spiritual leadership who live sort of these double lives.

I was like, I don't want to do that. And I don't have the energy for that. And like, I don't think it's good for people. Like, I don't think it's good for the people in the community and it's not good for me. So I was just like, I'm just going to be myself. Warts and all.

I was like, I don't want to do that. And I don't have the energy for that. And like, I don't think it's good for people. Like, I don't think it's good for the people in the community and it's not good for me. So I was just like, I'm just going to be myself. Warts and all.

I was like, I don't want to do that. And I don't have the energy for that. And like, I don't think it's good for people. Like, I don't think it's good for the people in the community and it's not good for me. So I was just like, I'm just going to be myself. Warts and all.

And like, if anything, like I would like to be a role model for people to be like, hey, look, that guy who's up there on the stage, like giving the sermon, like look how flawed he is. And he's up there on the stage, like being a spiritual leader. That means he's like valuable and worthy as a person. And so if he can be up there doing that, like I can also be lovable.

And like, if anything, like I would like to be a role model for people to be like, hey, look, that guy who's up there on the stage, like giving the sermon, like look how flawed he is. And he's up there on the stage, like being a spiritual leader. That means he's like valuable and worthy as a person. And so if he can be up there doing that, like I can also be lovable.

And like, if anything, like I would like to be a role model for people to be like, hey, look, that guy who's up there on the stage, like giving the sermon, like look how flawed he is. And he's up there on the stage, like being a spiritual leader. That means he's like valuable and worthy as a person. And so if he can be up there doing that, like I can also be lovable.

because of all my flaws and all the ways in which I fall short and I'm still a work in progress and have not figured things out at all.

because of all my flaws and all the ways in which I fall short and I'm still a work in progress and have not figured things out at all.

because of all my flaws and all the ways in which I fall short and I'm still a work in progress and have not figured things out at all.

It's not just that I don't know, it's that it is okay to have those questions. You don't actually need the answer to that question. It is okay to be living in this place of uncertainty and confusion and not knowing, and I want to validate you for that. That is actually, I think, often more powerful than giving people the answers.

It's not just that I don't know, it's that it is okay to have those questions. You don't actually need the answer to that question. It is okay to be living in this place of uncertainty and confusion and not knowing, and I want to validate you for that. That is actually, I think, often more powerful than giving people the answers.

It's not just that I don't know, it's that it is okay to have those questions. You don't actually need the answer to that question. It is okay to be living in this place of uncertainty and confusion and not knowing, and I want to validate you for that. That is actually, I think, often more powerful than giving people the answers.

Yeah. And like not knowing, like, I mean, so much of my personal practice has been releasing the expectation of knowing. And it's just like, oh, like you're confused. That means you're right. Like certainty is actually the wrong place to be. And like, listen, I'm exaggerating a little bit. There is Jewish wisdom out there on a lot of questions.

Yeah. And like not knowing, like, I mean, so much of my personal practice has been releasing the expectation of knowing. And it's just like, oh, like you're confused. That means you're right. Like certainty is actually the wrong place to be. And like, listen, I'm exaggerating a little bit. There is Jewish wisdom out there on a lot of questions.

Yeah. And like not knowing, like, I mean, so much of my personal practice has been releasing the expectation of knowing. And it's just like, oh, like you're confused. That means you're right. Like certainty is actually the wrong place to be. And like, listen, I'm exaggerating a little bit. There is Jewish wisdom out there on a lot of questions.

And I do have access to a lot of that wisdom because of the like decades I spent studying all these ancient texts. And so I do try to sprinkle in things from the texts. But I will say like there is a lot of Jewish wisdom about not knowing and mystery and surrendering control. I was reading your sermons. I was struck by a couple things.