This weekend my dear friend, colleague, author, composer and pioneer in Jewish spirituality Rabbi Shefa Gold will be leading a workshop under the auspices of the Lev Shalem Institute of the WJC entitled “Exploring the Landscape of Love Through the Song of Songs.” Registration for the weekend is now closed, but I wanted to make […]
Archive | Teachings
In Praise of “The New Haggadah”
V’chol ha’marbeh l’saper b’yetziat Mitzrayim harei zeh meshubach. And whoever expands upon the story of the Exodus from Egypt is worthy of praise (from the Passover Haggadah) As is my custom, as Passover approaches, I took down some various editions of the haggadah from my fairly extensive collection on my bookshelf so that I could […]
Shabbat Zachor: The Origins of Amalek
By Rabbi Jonathan on March 18, 2016 in Beshallach, Exodus/Shemot, Leviticus, Shabbat Zachor, Teachings
Zachor et asher asah lecha Amalek ba’derech b’tzeitchem miMitzrayim, asher korcha ba’derech va’yezanev b’cha kol ha’necheshalim acharecha, v’atah ayef v’yageia v’lo yarei Elohim. Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt: how, undeterred by reverence for God, they surprised you on the way when you were famished and weary, and […]
Pekudei: A Happy Ending
Va’y’chal Moshe et ham’lach, va’y’chas he’anan et ohel mo’ed uch’vod YHVH malei et hamishkan… ki anan YHVH al hamishkan yomam v’esh tih’yeh laila bo l’einei chol beit Yisrael b’chol mas’eihem. When Moses had finished the work, the Cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of YHVH filled the Mishkan… Over the Mishkan YHVH’s […]
Vayakhel: When Enough Is Enough
V’ham’lacha hai’ta day’am l’chol ham’lacha la’asot otah v’hoter And their efforts had been more than enough for all the tasks to be done. (Exodus 36:7) Moses has descended once again from the mountain, face aglow, carrying the tablets with the restored covenant in his arms. God has forgiven the Children of Israel for their transgressions […]
Tetzaveh: Brothers’ Keepers
V’asita vigday kodesh l’Aharon achicha l’chavod u’l’tifaret. You shall make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him honor and splendor. (Exodus 28:2) Curiously, this week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, never mentions Moses by name. This is the only Torah portion from Moses’ birth at the beginning of the Book of Exodus until the Children […]
Mishpatim: YHVH, Protector of the Powerless
Kol almanah v’yatom lo t’anun. Im aneh ta’aneh oto ki im tza’ok yitz’ak eilai shamo’a esh’ma tza’akato. You are not to mistreat any widow or orphan. Oh, if you mistreat, mistreat them, and they cry, cry out to Me, I will hearken, yes, hearken to their outcry. (Exodus 22:21-22) In Biblical Hebrew, when an emphatic […]
Yitro: Learning How To Lead
Vayishma Yitro, cohen Midian, choten Moshe, et kol asher asah Elohim l’Moshe ul’Yisrael amo, ki hotzi YHVH et Yisrael miMitzrayim. Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and Israel, how YHVH had brought Israel out from Egypt. (Exodus 18:1) In this week’s Torah portion, the Children of Israel […]
B’Shallach: Wade in the Water
Vayomer YHVH el Moshe: “Ma titz’ak ei’lai? Da’ber el B’nai Yisrael v’yisa’u!” Then YHVH said to Moses: “Why are you crying out to me? Speak to the Children of Israel, and tell them to get moving!” (Exodus 13:15) The Children of Israel stand at the edge of the Sea. There is no way out. Pharaoh […]
Bo: Martin Luther King Is My Rabbi
Va’yavo Moshe v’Aharon el Par’oh va’yomru eilav, “Ko amar YHVH, Elohei ha’Ivrim: ad matai may’anta lay’anot mipanai? shalach ami vaya’avduni!” So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Source of Life, the God of the Hebrews: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people […]