Jewish Sensibilities

Jewish Sensibilities are approaches to living and learning that permeate Jewish culture.  The ideas, values, emotions and behaviors they express, emanating from Jewish history, stories and sources, provide inspiration and guidance that help us respond creatively and thoughtfully to life’s challenges and opportunities. The terms was first introduced by Vanessa Ochs in her 2003 Sh’ma Journal article Ten Jewish Sensibilities.  Please click a Sensibility below to see more about it.

Simcha
joy
Find Pleasure in Life
The Jewish approach encourages us to balance our earnest efforts to repair the world with finding contentment and joy in our lives.

Elu v’Elu
[both] these and those
Wield a “Both/And” Perspective
The Jewish approach includes recognizing that there are multiple sides of an issue, being open to hearing views that are not your own, and grappling with the complexities of life.

b’Tzelem Elohim
[all people are made] in the divine image
Value the Humanity in Each Person
The Jewish approach requires us to protect the life of every person, and ensure dignity and justice for all people.

Israel
wrestling-with-G!d
Question Everything, Including Authority
The Jewish approach includes asking questions — of ourselves and of others, about why and how things are the way they are. Even in the face of great power the approach is not to bow down but to engage, and struggle for deeper understanding.

Na’aseh v’Nishmah
we will do and we will “hear” (“understand”)
Try it – Learn by Doing
The Jewish approach includes learning by doing — taking an action without necessarily knowing why it’s important or how it will work out, recognizing we will gain insight along the way.

Shevirah
brokenness
Embrace Imperfection
The Jewish approach makes room for both the joys and sorrows of life, and acknowledges that we are shaped by our struggles and losses as much as by our victories. In order to be whole, one must also experience brokenness.

Shabbat
day of rest
Make Time for Rest and Renewal
The Jewish approach demands we carve out time for rest and reflection, truly separating ourselves from the never-ending drumbeat of life.

Lech Lecha
take yourself and go
Take the Next Step
The Jewish approach promotes living life as a journey, not a destination. Take action and move forward – toward a place you don’t yet know, but will discover.

Teshuvah
return
Take Responsibility for Your Actions
The Jewish approach recognizes that humans often fail to live up to our best selves, and demands and honors learning from our mistakes. Change is always possible.

Brit
partnership
Nurture Community
The Jewish approach includes forging relationships and communities – meaningfully connecting ourselves to others by agreeing to shared commitments.