Posted on 15 November 2009 by 1rabbi
Posted on 8 September 2009 by 1rabbi
Today I finished reading the third in Maggie Anton’s series Rashi’s Daughters. The series of three historical fiction weave the lives of our ancestors in 11th century France with the study of Talmud and the incredible lives of Rashi, his three daughters, his sons-in-law, grandchildren and community. The popular volumes read accurately to me considering that outside of Rashi’s writings and responsa of the time we have little documentation of life in Troyes, France at that time.
If you haven’t read them, I encourage you to visit your local library or bookstore, open one of the volumes and start reading. I imagine that you will end up taking the book with you.
Maggie Anton is not the only contemporary author writing about Rashi. Elie Wiesel recently wrote a mini-bibliography about Rashi which has gotten good reviews. You can read Maggie Anton’s review on the Mixed Multitudes blog (from My Jewish Learning).
Have you read the books by Anton or Wiesel? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Read and enjoy!
Filed under: Jewish Texts - English, Judaism, Text Study | Tagged: books, Elie Wiesel, Maggie Anton, Rashi, Rashis Daughters, reading | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 6 July 2009 by 1rabbi
How well do you know the maps of the Middle East, North Africa, and the “Stans?” Try your hand at this online map quiz called Rethinking Schools.
Filed under: Judaism | Tagged: Geography, maps, Middle East, North Africa | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 6 July 2009 by 1rabbi
Growing up in the United States, summertime equalled freedom. We were free from school, free to play, ride bikes, sit by the lake, free to spend much of our time in our imaginations. Celebration of America’s Independence Day on the 4th of July amplified the focus on freedom.
This year, more than the previous 2 years, my thoughts turned to Gilad Shalit as we celebrated American Independence Day. Gilad Shalit has not known freedom for 3 years. He sits in captivity, captured in a cross-boarder raid by Hamas. None of his family, friends or colleagues have heard from him in years. Hamas, the terrorist government of the Gazan Palestinian Authority does not allow even the Red Crescent, the Muslim version of the Red Cross to see him. This is in violation of international law and practice. (By the way, I wrote Gazan Palestinian Authority because the PA in Gaza does not get along with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank led by Fatah.) While he is not free, none of us are free.
Freedom is precious and cannot be taken for granted. I pray that Gilad will know freedom some day soon.
If you would like to learn more about Gilad Shalit, visit the website HaBanim.
Filed under: American Politics, Israel | Tagged: 4th of July, freedom, Gaza, Gilad Shalit, Hamas, Israel, Palestinian Authority | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 13 May 2009 by 1rabbi
(Quick follow-up to my last post on the Pope’s visit:)
Here is the text of the beautiful prayer he placed in the Western Wall (courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs). View the prayer as well as a photograph of its placement in the wall.
Written prayer by Pope Benedict XVI
God of all the ages,
on my visit to Jerusalem, the “City of Peace”,
spiritual home to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike,
I bring before you the joys, the hopes and the aspirations,
the trials, the suffering and the pain of all your people throughout the world.
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
hear the cry of the afflicted, the fearful, the bereft;
send your peace upon this Holy Land, upon the Middle East,
upon the entire human family;
stir the hearts of all who call upon your name,
to walk humbly in the path of justice and compassion.
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him!” (Lam 3:25)
Filed under: Israel | Tagged: Interfaith, Israel, Pope | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 11 May 2009 by 1rabbi
Pope Benedict XVI’s pilgrimage visit to Israel is creating quite a bit of press coverage. Unlike Pope John Paul II visit a few years ago, Benedict XVI seems to be on a personal/church/religious mission rather than on a mission of interfaith understanding, bridge building and politics.
Many interesting stories accompany his visit:
Trembling Before the Pope (the story of the Latin Patriarch, Fouad Twal, and his view of Catholics in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip)
A Muslim cleric and head of the Palestinian Sharia court, Sheikh Taysir al-Tamimi, gave an unscheduled speech today at an interfaith gathering attended by the Pope. Once the Pope heard a translation of the Sheikh’s remarks he walked out, perhaps fulfilling one of Patriarch Twal’s concerns. Read another take on this story on CNN.
The Pope’s comments after visiting Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust musuem, instigated many comments. Read a few in Ha’aretz, al-Jezeera, BBC, the Forward and YNet.
I hope that the Pope’s visit leads to greater respect, understanding and peace between peoples and a willingness of all to turn away from hate and intollerance.
UPDATE: A Holocaust Survivor says that the criticism of the Pope is exagerated (YNet).
Filed under: Israel, Palestinians | Tagged: Holocaust, Interfaith, Israel, Pope, Sheikh, Yad Vashem | 1 Comment »
Posted on 31 March 2009 by 1rabbi
Posted on 31 March 2009 by 1rabbi
I love Passover. I enjoy the story, the symbols, the rituals of the seder, the joy of celebrating with friends and family and the food. Keeping Passover all week tethers me to our tradition and to the millions of Jews throughout the ages who have observed the restrictions of Passover.
One of the fun things is to find new recipes to try. Our friend google just sent me to the following sites. I look forward to searching them for vegetarian recipes to try myself. I hope the links add to the joy of your Passover.
Jewish Recipes
Jewish Veg (a site with recipes and many resources about Judaism and vegetarianism)
Jewish Recipes on Recipe Link
Kosher Cooking Passover recipes
All Recipes - Passover Recipes
Recipe Zaar Passover Recipes
Jewish Food Recipe Archives
Have a zissen Pesach!
UPDATE: Quinoa is kosher for Passover!! Read about quinoa’s kosher status here.
Filed under: Judaism | 1 Comment »
Posted on 31 March 2009 by 1rabbi
Posted on 31 March 2009 by 1rabbi
Posted on 17 March 2009 by 1rabbi
Israel21c has been publishing news about Israel that often goes ignored for years. They do amazing work. Recently, two pieces by an Israel21c reporter were on CNN. One is about some inspiring coexistence work in Lod, a city with many struggles. Watch the report here. The other is about how two scientists in Israel are making all of the world’s flowers more fragrant.
Watch and enjoy.
Filed under: Israel, Israeli/Palestinian Peace Blogs, Social Justice/Tezedek | Tagged: CNN, Flowers, Israel, Israel21c, Lod, Scent | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 15 March 2009 by 1rabbi
What is the place for politics in shul? Where should the line be drawn for rabbis, cantors and educators?
IRS regulations specify that a clergyperson may not preach a sermon supporting (or demonizing) a particular candidate if the house of worship wishes to have tax exempt status. This rule draws a clear line, but what about other communication? What about conversations at kiddush, oneg or in the parking lot? Is it okay for the rabbi to send emails to congregants about partisan political issues?
I ask this question at this time because of the presence of politics in Shul JewCrew where I attend. A rabbi of Shul JewCrew refrained from formal political pulpit sermons during last fall’s election season. The rabbi sends congregants negative, partisan emails, invitations to political events on Facebook (JewCrew city’s “tea party”), discussions at oneg, and during private conversations.
For months now, I have felt that my views are unwelcome. I worry that I have to either defend my views or plan to extricate myself from a conversation or not go to shul. Why should an uncomfortable political conversation from the rabbi keep me from feeling comfortable at shul? The thought that I am refraining from going to my current spiritual “home” because of the rabbi’s politics makes me mad. US politics is not the rabbi’s role (IMHO). This rabbi does not work for a political organization, does not see his/her job as primarily educating representatives….
When I feel denigrated by the rabbi for my political view, how can I feel comfortable going to the rabbi for much more difficult or sensitive issues in my personal life?
A rabbi in another city preached from the pulpit many times during last election season and made the congregants who did not agree with him/her so uncomfortable that they stopped going to shul – and they themselves are a rabbinic family!
Please know that while I personally have a political opinion, I have a problem with rabbis pushing their views on either side (in American politics) in their congregations. The examples above are of each – a partisan republican rabbi and a partisan democratic rabbi.
What do you think? Is this happening elsewhere or only in the two examples above?
Filed under: American Politics, Judaism | Tagged: Democrats, Judaism, Politics, Rabbis, Republicans | 1 Comment »
Posted on 9 March 2009 by 1rabbi
Happy Purim. The traditions of Purim encourage us to celebrate, to feel joy, and to make fun of ourselves. During these diffcult days, days when rockets fall ok schools, homes, cars, and workplaces on Sderot #Israel – days filled with economic stress & uncertainty – it is especially important to find joy.
Filed under: Judaism | Tagged: holiday, Judaism | 1 Comment »
Posted on 1 March 2009 by 1rabbi
Posted on 14 December 2008 by 1rabbi
Mem – kaf – bet – yod – - the first letters of the first four words of the prayer mi chamocha. Today our religious school principal helped our students made the connection between the letters and the Macabee family so integral to the Hanukkah story. Miracles in the past – the splitting of the sea, the choice of Jews to stand up for Judaism and the joys that Judaism adds to our lives, the survival of our people despite an Amalek in every generation, and the smaller miracles of the Jewish growth of young people (despite their desire to absent themsevles from religious school emotionally if not physically).
During these darkest days of the year (in the Northern hemisphere) I pray that we find light, hope and the daily miracles around us.
Filed under: Judaism | 2 Comments »
Posted on 30 November 2008 by 1rabbi
Sandra, the nanny of Moshe Holtzberg, shines as a bright spot (thanks to Aussie Dave for the expression) in the horrors of the Mumbai terror attack. Read Aussue Dave’s blog Israellycool for more. Thanks Aussie Dave for sharing the interview with the blog world.
Update:
One of the Jewish women killed in the attack was planning to make aliyah tomorrow. So sad. (Information from JTA.)
Filed under: Judaism | Leave a Comment »
Posted on 30 November 2008 by 1rabbi
Posted on 29 November 2008 by 1rabbi
Posted on 28 November 2008 by 1rabbi
Posted on 10 November 2008 by 1rabbi
It is hard for me to believe that it has been 13 years since Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was brutally assassinated. The irony of the context of the murder hits me every time I go to Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv. [He was killed at the end of an enormous peace rally, during which Rabin z"l sang "Shir L'shalom" a peace song from the 70s.] News of the assassination shocked me as I tried to balance my own coping and serving my community.
Last week Rabin’s assasin (I am consciously choosing not to say his name) was back in the news when he managed to boost his ego by getting news interviews recorded against the rules of the prison. Shameful. It shows me that he didn’t do this for the people or for the rabbis who told him to, but for his own ego. Disgusting.
Tonight I join many in remembering Rabin the warrior, the leader, the hero, the peacemaker. May his courage, hope and strength be an example to all.
Filed under: Israel | Tagged: anniversary, Israel, Kikar Rabin, Rabin | Leave a Comment »