In this episode of the Voices of Emanu El podcast, guest Rabbi Seth Stander retells the giving of the Ten Commandments as God’s “rock words,” adapted from Rabbi Mark Gelman’s beloved story. With humor and heart, he explores what it means to worship more than “stuff,” to use God’s name for gratitude not curses, and to see Shabbat as a weekly reminder that work is what we do — not who we are.
Rabbi Stander also reflects on honoring parents across generations, the many forms of stealing and truth-telling, and the pull to covet what belongs to someone else instead of becoming the best version of ourselves. As we revisit Parashat Yitro, we are invited to keep studying, questioning, and living these commandments so we can meet — or even exceed — our Creator’s aspirations for us.
