As part of my master's in rabbinic studies, I wrote a thesis titled "Internal Growth, Human Relationships, and Reaching Towards God: The Concurrent Development of Ethics and Mysticism in Early Modern Jewish Texts." I analyzed Tomer Devorah, Mesillat Yesharim, and Nefesh HaChayim. Here is a video of my thesis presentation, which basically covers the introduction to my thesis.

My rabbinate is the fulfillment of my thesis. There are three pillars upon which I view rabbinic Judaism: ethics, mysticism / spirituality, and Halakha. For me, it is possible to fully immerse in Judaism and live an authentically Jewish life while recognizing that human beings created all three of these pillars. Whether you choose to live within the expectations of Halakha, or you view those rules as guideposts not demands, we are all Jewish. I am a rabbi and my life is not defined by Halakha. My life is defined by immersing in Jewish wisdom, engaging in Jewish community, and living into my deepest self.

Most importantly, ethical mysticism is my phrase for living completely into the intertwined expectations of Jewish Ethics & Jewish Mysticism. Our thoughts are real. Where we choose to focus our minds matter. What we say matters. And what we do matters. These are not marketing slogans for me — these are expressions of the deepest truth. Our words create worlds. Our individual souls have a purpose for living these embodied lives. Together, we can remind one another of these truths and hold one another accountable for living into our best selves.

When we live an ethical life, we connect with the Soul of the Universe. We make space for the Makom, the Ever-Present God. The Shekhinah, the InDwelling of God, finds us when we surrender to our own humanity. Material existence is only one plane of consciousness. Our lives are more than what can be measured. The realm of the spirit cannot be contained by religious dogma, nor can it be dismissed by simplistic atheism. When we allow ourselves to reach beyond cynicism, we begin to live.