Fine Judaica, to Be Held November 21St, 2006
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
The Debate Over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue
Jack Wertheimer (ed.) The American Synagogue: A Sanctuary Transformed. New York: Cambridge 13 University Press, 1987 The Debate over Mixed Seating in the American Synagogue JONATHAN D. SARNA "Pues have never yet found an historian," John M. Neale com plained, when he undertook to survey the subject of church seating for the Cambridge Camden Society in 1842. 1 To a large extent, the same situation prevails today in connection with "pues" in the American syn agogue. Although it is common knowledge that American synagogue seating patterns have changed greatly over time - sometimes following acrimonious, even violent disputes - the subject as a whole remains unstudied, seemingly too arcane for historians to bother with. 2 Seating patterns, however, actually reflect down-to-earth social realities, and are richly deserving of study. Behind wearisome debates over how sanctuary seats should be arranged and allocated lie fundamental disagreements over the kinds of social and religious values that the synagogue should project and the relationship between the synagogue and the larger society that surrounds it. As we shall see, where people sit reveals much about what they believe. The necessarily limited study of seating patterns that follows focuses only on the most important and controversial seating innovation in the American synagogue: mixed (family) seating. Other innovations - seats that no longer face east, 3 pulpits moved from center to front, 4 free (un assigned) seating, closed-off pew ends, and the like - require separate treatment. As we shall see, mixed seating is a ramified and multifaceted issue that clearly reflects the impact of American values on synagogue life, for it pits family unity, sexual equality, and modernity against the accepted Jewish legal (halachic) practice of sexual separatiop in prayer. -
Jewish Historical Clock
Reigns of Rulers of the Kingdom of Bohemia Louxenburg Kings Elected Czech King Jagelonians Austro Hungary Habsburgs Czechoslovakia Communist Czechoslovakia Czech Republic Wenceslav IV Sigismund George of Podiebrad Vladislav Ludwig Ferdinand I Maximilian II Rudolph II Mathias Ferdinand II Ferdinand III Leopold I Joseph I Karl VI Maria Theresia Joseph II Leopold II Franz II Ferdinand I of Austro Hungary Franz Joseph Masaryk/Benes Havel 1378/1419 1419/1437 1458/1471 1471/1516 1516/1526 1526/1564 1564/1576 1576/1612 1612/1619 1619/1637 1637/1657 1658/1705 1705/1711 1711/1740 1740/1780 1780/1790 1790/1792 1792/1835 1835/1848 1848/1916 1918/1939 1948/1990 1990 to date Husite Rebelion Jan Hus Burned 1415 Jan Ziska d. 1439 Lev of Rozhmithall d. 1480 Jewish Historical Clock - Branches From The Start Of The Horowitz Family Name In Prague Up To The Horowitz Dynasty In Dzikow/Tarnobrzeg Poland Giving Estimates Of Birth Years For Each Generation 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1382/1406 1406/1430 1430/1454 1454/1478 1478/1502 1502/1526 1526/1550 1550/1574 1574/1598 1598/1622 1622/1646 1646/1670 1670/1694 1694/1718 1718/1742 1742/1766 1766/1790 1790/1814 1814/1838 1838/1862 1862/1886 1886/1910 1910/1934 1934/1958 1958/1982 1982/2006 S R. Yosef Yoske R. Asher Zeligman R. Meir ben Asher Jan(Yona) Halevy Ish R. Yosef of Vilna R. Yehoshua Heshel R. Chaim Cheika R. -
Daat Torah (PDF)
Daat Torah Rabbi Alfred Cohen Daat Torah is a concept of supreme importance whose specific parameters remain elusive. Loosely explained, it refers to an ideology which teaches that the advice given by great Torah scholars must be followed by Jews committed to Torah observance, inasmuch as these opinions are imbued with Torah insights.1 Although the term Daat Torah is frequently invoked to buttress a given opinion or position, it is difficult to find agreement on what is actually included in the phrase. And although quite a few articles have been written about it, both pro and con, many appear to be remarkably lacking in objectivity and lax in their approach to the truth. Often they are based on secondary source and feature inflamma- tory language or an unflatttering tone; they are polemics rather than scholarship, with faulty conclusions arising from failure to check into what really was said or written by the great sages of earlier generations.2 1. Among those who have tackled the topic, see Lawrence Kaplan ("Daas Torah: A Modern Conception of Rabbinic Authority", pp. 1-60), in Rabbinic Authority and Personal Autonomy, published by Jason Aronson, Inc., as part of the Orthodox Forum series which also cites numerous other sources in its footnotes; Rabbi Berel Wein, writing in the Jewish Observer, October 1994; Rabbi Avi Shafran, writing in the Jewish Observer, Dec. 1986, p.12; Jewish Observer, December 1977; Techumin VIII and XI. 2. As an example of the opinion that there either is no such thing now as Daat Torah which Jews committed to Torah are obliged to heed or, even if there is, that it has a very limited authority, see the long essay by Lawrence Kaplan in Rabbinic Authority and Personal Autonomy, cited in the previous footnote. -
A Tribu1e 10 Eslller, Mv Panner in Torah
gudath Israel of America's voice in kind of informed discussion and debate the halls of courts and the corri that leads to concrete action. dors of Congress - indeed every A But the convention is also a major where it exercises its shtadlonus on yardstick by which Agudath Israel's behalf of the Kial - is heard more loudly strength as a movement is measured. and clearly when there is widespread recognition of the vast numbers of peo So make this the year you ple who support the organization and attend an Agm:fah conventicm. share its ideals. Resente today An Agudah convention provides a forum Because your presence sends a for benefiting from the insights and powerfo! - and ultimately for choice aa:ommodotions hadracha of our leaders and fosters the empowering - message. call 111-m-nao is pleased to announce the release of the newest volume of the TlHllE RJENNlERT JED>JITJION ~7~r> lEN<ClY<ClUO>lPElOl l[}\ ~ ·.:~.~HDS. 1CA\J~YA<Gr M(][1CZ\V<Q . .:. : ;······~.·····················.-~:·:····.)·\.~~····· ~s of thousands we~ed.(>lig~!~d~ith the best-selling mi:i:m niw:.r c .THE :r~~··q<:>Jy(MANDMENTS, the inaugural volume of theEntzfl(lj)('dia (Mitzvoth 25-38). Now join us aswestartfromthebeginning. The En~yclop~dia provides yau with • , • A panciramicviewofthe entire Torah .Laws, cust9ms and details about each Mitzvah The pririlafy reasons and insights for each Mitzvah. tteas.. ury.· of Mid. ra. shim and stories from Cha. zal... and m.uc.h.. n\ ''"'''''' The Encyclopedia of the Taryag Mitzvoth The Taryag Legacy Foundation is a family treasure that is guaranteed to wishes to thank enrich, inspire, and elevate every Jewish home. -
A Fresh Perspective on the History of Hasidic Judaism
eSharp Issue 20: New Horizons A Fresh Perspective on the History of Hasidic Judaism Eva van Loenen (University of Southampton) Introduction In this article, I shall examine the history of Hasidic Judaism, a mystical,1 ultra-orthodox2 branch of Judaism, which values joyfully worshipping God’s presence in nature as highly as the strict observance of the laws of Torah3 and Talmud.4 In spite of being understudied, the history of Hasidic Judaism has divided historians until today. Indeed, Hasidic Jewish history is not one monolithic, clear-cut, straightforward chronicle. Rather, each scholar has created his own narrative and each one is as different as its author. While a brief introduction such as this cannot enter into all the myriad divergences and similarities between these stories, what I will attempt to do here is to incorporate and compare an array of different views in order to summarise the history of Hasidism and provide a more objective analysis, which has not yet been undertaken. Furthermore, my historical introduction in Hasidic Judaism will exemplify how mystical branches of mainstream religions might develop and shed light on an under-researched division of Judaism. The main focus of 1 Mystical movements strive for a personal experience of God or of his presence and values intuitive, spiritual insight or revelationary knowledge. The knowledge gained is generally ‘esoteric’ (‘within’ or hidden), leading to the term ‘esotericism’ as opposed to exoteric, based on the external reality which can be attested by anyone. 2 Ultra-orthodox Jews adhere most strictly to Jewish law as the holy word of God, delivered perfectly and completely to Moses on Mount Sinai. -
An Autobiographical Sketch
An Autobiographical Sketch My own personal concern for the relationship between human rights and religion stems from my upbringing and background. I was brought up in the Jewish tradition in Germany and became a refugee child in England at the age of three. My status as a refugee taught me that you can adapt to wherever you live, and in so doing experi- ence a breadth of human society which enriches you. is was made possible for me through the concerns and caring attitude of others. We kept the major Jewish holidays and went to synagogue, and although we were more liberal than orthodox, my father kept traditional values. Our family on my fa- ther’s side were partly of Sephardi origin. Sefarad is the old rabbinic word for Spain and Portugal, thus ‘Sephardi’ denotes those Jews whose ancestors hailed from Spain or Portugal and who were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in (Spain) and (Portugal) respectively. Many of the merchant families found refuge in North- Western European cities such as Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Hamburg. In Hamburg, the Sephardi Jewish community was the first Jewish group to be allowed to settle within that city, partly because they successfully pretended to be Portuguese Catholic merchants. Yet the community was quickly allowed to practise Judaism and, unusually, given permission to establish a synagogue, a privilege that local German Jews would not be accorded until the second half of the seventeenth century. e two communities were separate from very early on. Some of my family were thus part of a long Sephardi history in the midst of the northern ‘Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg’ which itself had a longstanding tradi- tion of trade and exchange all over the world, although my forefathers came from Copenhagen and Rendsburg, which was originally Danish before it became part of Prussia. -
Michael Tilson Thomas: the Maestro Inspired by Yiddishkeit the Acclaimed Conductor Reveals How the Adventure and Activism of Yiddish Theatre Influences His Work
Michael Tilson Thomas: The maestro inspired by Yiddishkeit The acclaimed conductor reveals how the adventure and activism of Yiddish theatre influences his work. By Jessica Duchen, January 19, 2012 If you ever imagined that the conductor Michael Tilson Thomas might be Welsh, think again. "Thomas" was originally "Thomashefsky": the name signals an extraordinary heritage that underpins this much-loved maestro's instinct for performance and showbusiness. He is currently in the UK to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in a series of concerts focusing on the music of Claude Debussy, the 150th anniversary of whose birth falls this year. And though the Barbican concert hall may seem a long way from New York's Lower East Side and its Yiddish-speaking immigrants of the 1880s, perhaps Tilson Thomas brings something of their spirit with him. His grandparents, Bessie and Boris Thomashefsky, were prominent stars in the development of American Yiddish theatre in Manhattan. They went on to own theatres in the area, to publish a magazine, to encourage generations of young actors, to raise funds for many social causes and to be at the cutting edge of thespian life in general. After Boris died in 1939, it was reported that a crowd 30,000 strong lined the street on the day of his funeral. "When I was growing up I was surrounded by people who had a connection with the Yiddish theatre, which had an attitude of great adventure and of social activism," says Tilson Thomas, who is 67. "Much of its repertoire concerned issues of the time: women's rights, labour rights and concerns regarding assimilation, language and more. -
Chabad Chodesh Nisan 5775
בס“ד Nisan 5772/2015 SPECIAL DAYS IN NISAN Volume 26, Issue 1 Nisan 1/March 21/Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Nisan Parshas HaChodesh In Nisan the Avos were born and died. [Rosh HaShanah, 11a] In Nisan our fathers were redeemed and in Nisan we will be redeemed. [Rosh HaShanah, 11a] The dedication of the Mishkan began on Nisan 1, 2449 (1312 BCE) and Moshe Rabeinu completed the consecration of Aharon and his sons. Aharon brought the first sacrifices. The Nesiim, heads of the tribes, brought sacrifices from the first until the twelfth of Nisan, to of Yehudah, who was also the first to dedicate the Mishkan. jump into the Yam Suf. "...We don't fast in Nisan, nor decree a fast on the community, a custom Yecheskel Hanavi prophesied on the based on the words of the Chachamim fall of Egypt in the time of [Maseches Soferim]: The Nesiim began Nebuchadnetzer, the king of Bavel to bring their sacrifices in Nisan, [Yecheskal 29:17]. We read it for the through the twelfth. Each day was the Haftorah of Parshas Vaera. Nasi's own Yom Tov. The fourteenth is Erev Pesach, followed by eight days of Ezra Left Bavel with many Jews on Pesach; since most of the month went Rosh Chodesh Nisan and they reached by in holiness, we make it all holy as a Yeru-shalayim on Rosh Chodesh Av. Yom Tov..." [Alter Rebbe's Shulchan TZCHOK CHABAD OF HANCOCK PARK Aruch, 429:9] (And thus, we don't say Tachnun, "Av HaRachamim" or "Tzidkascha" in Nisan) Inside this issue: From Rosh Chodesh Nisan until Nisan Special Days 1 12, we say the daily Parshah of the sacrifice of each Nasi, after Shacharis, Laws & Customs of Pesach 7 followed by "Yehi Ratzon". -
Cincinnati Torah הרות
בס"ד • A PROJECT OF THE CINCINNATI COMMUNITY KOLLEL • CINCYKOLLEL.ORG תורה מסינסי Cincinnati Torah Vol. VI, No. XXXVIII Eikev A LESSON FROM A TIMELY HALACHA THE PARASHA RABBI YITZCHOK PREIS RABBI CHAIM HEINEMANN OUR PARASHA INCLUDES THE BIBLICAL MITZVAH human nature and how each of these mitzvahs A common question that comes up during to thank Hashem after eating a satisfying is designed to protect us from a potential hu- bein hazmanim and summer break is meal—the blessings we typically refer to as man failing. whether it is appropriate to remove one’s bentching or Birkat Hamazon. A spiritual hazard looms immediately fol- tallis katan (or tzitzis) while playing sports or The Talmud suggests that, logically, if we lowing a satisfying meal. Prior to eating, while engaging in strenuous activities that make are obligated to bless Hashem after eating, hungry, it easy to sense our dependency on one hot and sweaty. kal vachomer (all the more so), we should be our Provider. But once satisfying that hunger, While it is true that neither Biblical nor expected to recite a bracha before eating. After our attitude can shift. We run the risk of Rabbinic law obligates one to wear a all, someone who is famished is more acutely becoming self-assured, confident in our own tallis katan at all times, it has become the aware of the need for food and more appre- sustenance, and potentially dismissive of the accepted custom that every male wears a ciative that Hashem has made it available to True Source of satiation. Bentching protects tallis katan all day long. -
Tanya Sources.Pdf
The Way to the Tree of Life Jewish practice entails fulfilling many laws. Our diet is limited, our days to work are defined, and every aspect of life has governing directives. Is observance of all the laws easy? Is a perfectly righteous life close to our heart and near to our limbs? A righteous life seems to be an impossible goal! However, in the Torah, our great teacher Moshe, Moses, declared that perfect fulfillment of all religious law is very near and easy for each of us. Every word of the Torah rings true in every generation. Lesson one explores how the Tanya resolved these questions. It will shine a light on the infinite strength that is latent in each Jewish soul. When that unending holy desire emerges, observance becomes easy. Lesson One: The Infinite Strength of the Jewish Soul The title page of the Tanya states: A Collection of Teachings ספר PART ONE לקוטי אמרים חלק ראשון Titled הנקרא בשם The Book of the Beinonim ספר של בינונים Compiled from sacred books and Heavenly מלוקט מפי ספרים ומפי סופרים קדושי עליון נ״ע teachers, whose souls are in paradise; based מיוסד על פסוק כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו upon the verse, “For this matter is very near to לבאר היטב איך הוא קרוב מאד בדרך ארוכה וקצרה ”;you, it is in your mouth and heart to fulfill it בעזה״י and explaining clearly how, in both a long and short way, it is exceedingly near, with the aid of the Holy One, blessed be He. "1 of "393 The Way to the Tree of Life From the outset of his work therefore Rav Shneur Zalman made plain that the Tanya is a guide for those he called “beinonim.” Beinonim, derived from the Hebrew bein, which means “between,” are individuals who are in the middle, neither paragons of virtue, tzadikim, nor sinners, rishoim. -
Thropist, Art Festival
banker, developer ofmica, philanthropist, art Festival. • See: EJ; NAW:modern; DAB, 8; collector, NYC; fdr Jerome TaishoffFound; NYTimes, Aug 5 1966, 31:1. governor LI U; officer Air Force Historical Found.· See: NYTimes, Dec 211964, 29:1. Tamkin, Hayward; b. Koretz, Russia, Sep 121908. T Taishoff, SolJoseph; b. Minsk, Oct 81904; To Boston 1912. • BS, LLB Boston.U. • d. Aug 15 1982. Lawyer, Boston; dir Boston U Legal Aid To Washington DC 1906. • Newspaperman, Bureau; active Center for Adult Education, Tabachinsky, Benjamin; b. Bialystok, Mar Washington DC; co-fdr Broadcasting Magazine; Curry School ofExpression. • See: WWIAJ, 311895; d. Amityville, NY, Aug 6 1967. staff US Daily; bd WashingtonJournalism 1938. To US 1938/1939. • Communal exec; mem Center.· See: WWIAJ, 1938; WWWIA, 8. Bialystok Municipal Council; exec dirJewish Tananbaum, Alfred A; b. NYC, Mar 29 Labor Com; active cbmmunal education, Talalay,Joseph A; b. Russia, ca 1892; d. 1909; d.NYC, May 171971. Polish ORT,Jewish Socialist Bund;contribu New Haven, Oct 1961. Fordham Law. • Textile business exec; exec tor Yiddish press. • See:AJYB, 69:613;JTA To US 1940. • PhD U St Petersburg, Yonkers Raceway; a fdr Albert Einstein CoIl of DNB, Aug 8 1967; NYTimes, Aug 8 1967, 39:2. engineering degree Imperial Inst of Med, Heb Inst (White Plains), Garment Technology (Moscow). • Rubber technologist, Center Cong; ldr Fedn ofJewish Tabachnik, Abraham Ber (Avrohom); b. invented process to make latex foam; Philanthropies. • See:AJYB, 73:636; NYTimes, Nizhne Olitchedayer, Podalia, Aug 22 benefactor Haifa Technion; author in field. • May 181971,42:1. 19011190211903; d. NYC, June 13 1970. See: NYTimes, Oct 17 1961, 39:3. -
Orthodox Jews in America
SH EV AT, 5738 /.JANUARY, 1978 VOLUME XII, NUMBER 10 THE SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Orthodox Jews in America Exotic and Othenvise - Partners in Torah Days of the Founders in Text and Photograph - also - Letters and Responses in this issue ... Orthodoxy- Exotic and Otherwise I Elkanah Schwartz .................. 3 The Many Crises of Yeshiva Day School Education I Zev Schostak .......................................................................... 6 "Churban Europe" Letters to the Editor ................................................................... 8 "Chazara" - Reviewing Rabbi Hutner's Seminar I Yaakov Feitman ................................................................... 11 Comments on "The Destruction of European Jewry"I Joseph Elias .......................................................................... 15 And Now a Word From Our Fathers I Sylvia Fuchs ......................... 16 Song of Faith I Lewis Brenner .............................................................20 The Partnership I Aryeh Kaplan ......................................................... 23 The Picture Album, Passport to Other Worlds THE JEWISH OssERVER is publis.hed (A Review Article) I Nissan Wolpin ........................................... 27 monthly, except July and August, by the Agudath Israel of America, The New Country 5 Beekman St., New York, N.Y Calendar, 77-78 10038. Second class postage paid at New York, N.Y. Subscription: Tradition, Orthodox Jewish Life in America $7.50 per year; Two years, $13.00; Update: The Coalition in Action I Ezriel