Ohrhav Rha Schools They Cannot Teach Religion
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Sparks for Discussion United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Rabbi Luzzatto argues that the very survival of the Jewish people is tied Rapaport House, 820 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017 to the Hebrew language. Do you agree? Why? Now that almost all the Tel: 212-533-7800 Fax: 212-353-9439 Jewish “classics” – Bible, Talmud, midrash, halachah, and more – are E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.uscj.org readily available in translation, is it sufficient to study Torah in English? Does it make sense to pray in Hebrew when you don’t understand the language? Do you see a connection between Hebrew and Jewish The publication and distribution of Megillah Sparks was made continuity? possible by a grant from Lawrence and Toby Deutsch. Hebrew language charter schools have been established or proposed in some communities. These public schools operate independently from the Megillah Sparks vkhdn ,umumhb local school board and feature a dual language program. They may teach Israeli and Jewish history and culture, but because they are public ohrhav rha schools they cannot teach religion. Children from all religious Song of Songs backgrounds may attend these schools. Some people see these schools as an alternative for families who cannot afford Jewish day schools. Others Rabbi Joyce Newmark see them as a cynical attempt to use tax dollars for what should be Teaneck, New Jersey private education. What do you think? Are Hebrew language charter schools “good for the Jews”? Summary Shir HaShirim is a series of poems expressing the physical and emotional love between a man and a woman. The perspective shifts between the two lovers as they speak of their passion and their beloved’s physical beauty. Shir HaShirim is not an obviously religious book. There is no invocation of God, Torah, or Israel, other than a few references to Solomon and the daughters of Jerusalem. Its place in the Tanach was secured because the rabbis interpreted Shir HaShirim not as an erotic poem but as an allegory describing the love between God and Israel. 1. A Sheiner Yid (A Beautiful Jew) I am dark, but comely, O daughters of Jerusalem – like the tents of Megillah Sparks is a project of United Synagogue’ Program Kedar, like the pavilions of Solomon. Ah, you are fair, my darling, Development Department. For more information, to offer ah, you are fair, with your dove-like eyes! Song of Songs 1:5, 15 comments or for subscription in formations, please call Rabbi Paul Drazen at 646 519 9310 or e-mail him at [email protected]. A. Just as the tents of Kedar, although from the outside they look You can sponsor Torah Sparks, contact Rabbi Drazen. ugly, black, and ragged, yet inside contain precious stones and pearls, so ©Copyright 2011, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism the disciples of the wise, although they look repulsive and swarthy in this world, yet have within them knowledge of the Chumash, the Scriptures, the Mishnah, the midrash, halachot, Talmud, and tosefta and aggadah. 2. Guard Your Tongue Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:5 O my dove, in the cranny of the rocks, hidden by the cliff, let me see B. Ah, you are fair in the performance of mitzvot, ah, you are fair in your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is deeds of kindness. Ah, you are fair in the performance of positive comely. Shir HaShirim 2:14 mitzvot, ah, you are fair in the performance of negative mitzvot. Ah, you are fair in the mitzvot of the home, in the apportionment of terumah and A. The survival of the people depends largely on its language and tithes, ah, you are fair in the duties of the field, gleanings, forgotten its speech. And this is the intention of the verse, “Death and life are in sheaves, the corner, the tithe of the poor, and the Sabbatical year. Ah, the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). All the time that the people you are fair in the recital of the Amidah, ah, you are fair in the recital of does not lose its language, there is hope that it will continue to live. And the Shema. Ah, you are fair with the mezuzah, ah, you are fair with the therefore, “let me hear your voice” means let it be heard that you are still tefillin. Ah, you are fair with the sukkah, ah, you are fair with the lulav using your language, that you still speak your language. Rabbi Moshe and etrog. Ah, you are fair in repentance, ah, you are fair with good Hayyim Luzzatto, 1707-1746, Italy, Netherlands, Israel deeds. Ah, you are fair in this world, ah, you are fair in the world to come. Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:15 B. Rabbi Meir used to say: He who lives in the Land of Israel, recites the Shema morning and evening, and speaks the holy tongue C. Once Rabbi Shimon son of Rabbi Eleazar, coming from Migdal [Hebrew], he is assured of the world to come. Sifre Devarim 333 Eder, from the house of his teacher, was riding leisurely on his donkey along the lakeshore, feeling greatly elated and thoroughly satisfied with C. Israel was redeemed from Egypt because they did not change himself because he had studied much Torah. He chanced upon an their names. Also, because they did not change their language – they exceedingly ugly man, who greeted him, “Peace be upon you, my continued to speak the sacred tongue, for Scripture says, “When Israel master.” Rabbi Shimon did not return the greeting but instead said to went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange him, “You worthless creature! How ugly you are! Are all the people of speech” (Psalms 114:1) and Joseph also said, “It is indeed I who am your city as ugly as you?” The man replied, “I do not know, but go and speaking to you” (Genesis 45:12) – speaking to you in the sacred tongue. say to the Craftsman who made me, “How ugly is the vessel You have Midrash Tehillim 114:4 made!” Talmud Taanit 20a D. Hebrew as the irreplaceable language of Jewish expression is the Sparks for Discussion second core value of Conservative Judaism. Its existence is coterminous with that of the Jewish people and the many layers of the language We are taught we should not judge others based on appearance, but we mirror the cultures in which Jews perpetuated Judaism. It was never live in a society in which such judgments are the rule. For example, there merely a vehicle of communication, but part of the fabric and texture of is ample research that physically attractive people have a distinct Judaism. Words vibrate with religious meaning, moral values, and advantage in hiring and promotion, in political campaigns, and even in literary associations. Torah and Hebrew are inseparable. Rabbi Ismar evaluations by teachers. How frequently do you comment (whether Schorsch, The Sacred Cluster: The Core Values of Conservative positively or negatively) on others’ appearance? How often do you praise Judaism, 1995 or brag about your children’s or grandchildren’s academic or athletic successes? How often do you point out and compliment acts of kindness? If your children or grandchildren were asked what qualities you most admired in other people, what do you think they would say? What makes someone “a beautiful Jew”? .