The Yeshiva University OBSERVER VOLUME LXIII ISSUE I September 2017/ ELUL 5777
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CHELM in JERUSALEM by R. Seliger
CHELM IN JERUSALEM By R. Seliger It’s Sukkot, the holiday that requires observant Jews to feel the fragility of our existence by eating in the sukkah – the fragile temporary outdoor booth, exposed to the elements of early fall. I wrote this film review two years ago. If you have the opportunity, you should consider the delights of this unusual film. “Ushpizin” resembles an Isaac Bashevis Singer tale in its rendering of totally sincere (or naive) characters immersed in religious observances, a belief in miracles, and a personal relationship with the Almighty. The world of Jerusalem’s Hasidim is largely a ghetto in its isolation from the rest of modern Israel, but not quite. Two convicts, evading the law, show up at the doorstep of our hero, Moshe Bellanga, and his good wife Malli, on erev Sukkot. It turns out that one criminal was a friend from Moshe’s wayward days in Eilat before he became a Baal Tshuva [a newly observant Jew] as a Breslover Hasid. The Bellangas are overjoyed that the two can be their ushpizin – Aramaic for “holy guests” – for the holiday, as traditional lore enjoins. But there is nothing holy in how their low-life guests behave. That the virtually destitute Bellangas have a sukkah and the money to celebrate the festival at all are “miracles.” Actually, they are the result of perfectly explainable events, but the pious couple understands their dramatic change of fortune as divine intervention, as an answer to their devotion and a part of their ongoing dialogue with Hashem. Similarly, when bad fortune strikes, they are rendered bereft not only by the event itself, but also by the notion that they have done something displeasing in the eyes of God or, even more painfully, that their suffering has meaning they cannot fathom in the sacred scheme of things. -
March Chronicle.Indd
CONGREGATION NEVEH SHALOM March 2008/ADAR I/Adadr II 5768 CHRONICLE No. 6 This newsletter is supportedpp by y the Sala Kryszek y Memorial Publication Fund From the Pulpit Esther: The Paradigm of the Diaspora Jewish Existence If we accept the Exodus epic as our Jewish master story, then the drama contained in the scroll of Esther constitutes the paradigmatic story of Jewish existence in the Diaspora. A master story of an ethnic, religious or national entity is the central historical event or series of events that informs that society about its guiding values and principles. Clearly the Exodus from Egyptian bondage followed by the receipt of God’s revelation and wandering 40 years in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land serves that primary purpose for Jews. God heard the cry of the oppressed and chose Moses as God’s instrument in challenging Pharaoh to liberate God’s own people. Once free, the Children of Israel came to Mt. Sinai where God gave them laws to live by in order to establish a moral society. Together they persevered until they were worthy of inheriting the land that God promised them as an everlasting inheritance. However instructive our master story is in defi ning our most highly treasured values, nearly 2000 years of our history were spent far from our ancestral home in lands of the Jewish Diaspora. We lived in foreign lands as a subject minority population. We did our best to simultaneously be loyal residents (because not until the French Revolution and the American experience were we considered full citizens) and maintain our distinct identity as Jews. -
Honor Your Parents: the Fulcrum of the Ten Commandments
Honor Your Parents: The Fulcrum of the Ten Commandments here is little doubt thatkibbud av va-eim is a central mitzvah; it is not merely “another Rabbi Michael Rosensweig Tcommandment,” but an imperative Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel, RIETS vital to the enterprise of Torah and mitzvot. The Rambam Mamrim( Compiled by Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig 6:1) characterizes it as a “mitzvat Bella and Harry Wexner Fellow, RIETS, and Resident aseh gedolah” — a great positive Scholar, Cong. Ahavath Torah, Englewood, NJ commandment; the Yerusalmi (Pe’ah 1:1) declares it “chamurah shebichamuros;” — of the most serious belongs to a select class of mitzvot doubt of its axiological import. mitzvos, and the Tur (Yoreh Deah 240) 2 issued as a prequel to matan Torah. Yet when we assess kibbud av va-eim prefaces his discussion noting that At Marah, Bnei Yisrael were charged in the sugya (Talmudic discussion) of kibbud av va-eim demands a unique with a few essential commandments aseh docheh lo ta’aseh (the ability of a “punctilious observance.” that would both prepare them for and positive commandment to override What is the evidence for this afford them a glimpse of the Torah a negative commandment) — the evaluation? First, kibbud av va-eim they would later receive--sham sam lo sugya prima facie most informative appears in the most critical contexts of chok u-mishpat ve-sham ni’sahu —there of halakhic hierarchies — it emerges the Torah. It is delineated in the Aseret He established law and statute and as decidedly inferior to other Hadibrot (Shemot 20:12) — kabed there He tested it (Shemot 15:25). -
[email protected] (You Know, the Ones That Took the 126 That It Will Never Work
ב''ה 230 hale lane , edgware middx, ha8 9pz Volume 29 • Tishrei 5775 HOLIDAYGUIDEHOLIDAYGUIDE HOWHOW WILLWILL HEHE EARNEARN AA LIVINLIVINGG FFIDDLERIDDLER’S’S QQUEUESTSTIONION Table of Contents 8 24 10 7 featured 7 That’s alright, you can do it . 8 How will he earn a living? 10 Holiday Guide 14 Tishrei Calendar 20 Fiddler’s question 24 Yusta regular From the Editor 4 Message from the Rebbe 5 Lubavitch of Edgware News 16 Candle Lighting Times and Blessings 19 Lubavitch of Radlett News 22 Letters 26 20 3 Editorial Torah PUBLISHER Chadron Ltd on behalf of Lubavitch of Edgware. A division of Chabad Lubavitch UK Registered Charity No. 227638 EDITORIAL Editor: Mrs. Feige Sudak JUST A PINHOLE rom my earliest days i had a knows that to us the whole concept of ADVERTISING fascination for science and Teshuva – return is daunting and leaves To advertise please call technology. i was only eight years us very scared. particularly, as we come 020 8905 4141 F old when i managed to collect enough close to rosh hashanah and then even to SUBSCRIPTIONS ‘cigarette vouchers’ from my father’s Yom Kippur, the notion that we can repair Phone: smoking habit (in those days smoking our past and come to be close with g-d 020 8905 4141 was an acceptable form of behaviour) to is so distant from us that we just do not Email: exchange for a Kodak instamatic Camera believe it. so, we fight it off with excuses [email protected] (you know, the ones that took the 126 that it will never work. -
Sukkos, 5781 Dear Talmidim, the Recent Uptick in Covid-19 Prompts
1 Sukkos, 5781 Dear Talmidim, The recent uptick in Covid-19 prompts this letter. The Torah requires that we avoid dangerous activity. The protection afforded to Mitzvah performance does not apply when danger is prevalent (Pesachim 8b). In all gatherings, masks covering everyone's mouth and nose must be worn. In addition, appropriate social distance between attendees (except for members of the same household) must be maintained. Hands must be washed with soap and water or with proper hand sanitizer. On Shabbos and Yom Tov liquid soap or sanitizer may and must be used. On Simchas Torah, the usual hakafos and dancing are prohibited. At the discretion of every local rav, hakafos may be limited or eliminated. Any dancing must be done while wearing masks and socially distanced. Upon advice from medical experts, we recommend that the sefer Torah not be passed from one person to another. Preferably, one person should circle the bima 7 times. After each hakafa the tzibur should join in an appropriate nigun and "dance" in place. The practice of everyone getting an aliya is a minhag, not a din, and may be adjusted or eliminated at the discretion of the local rav (see links here and here for similar horaos}. Similarly, at weddings the usual dancing is prohibited. Any dancing must be done while wearing masks and socially distanced. Chasanim and their families are urged to limit the size of weddings and to insist upon and enforce masking and appropriate distancing by all their guests. Adherence to all the above is required by the halacha which demands great caution to protect life and good health. -
CBY Weekly Shabbat Announcements 23 Iyar-1 Sivan 5777 May 19-26, 2017 Parshiyot Behar-Bechukotai/ Mevarchim Hachodesh
CBY Weekly Shabbat Announcements 23 Iyar-1 Sivan 5777 May 19-26, 2017 Parshiyot Behar-Bechukotai/ Mevarchim HaChodesh SHABBAT SCHEDULE MAY 19-20 SPECIAL EVENTS Candles ....................................................7:05, 7:35 & 7:50 pm Bar Mitzvah of Eytan Jacoby 9 AM Mincha only ................................................................. 5:15 pm Seudah Shlisheet after 7:35pm mincha. Plag .............................................................................. 6:39 pm Mincha .....................................................6:45, 7:15 & 8:00 pm NEXT SHABBAT -BAMIDBAR Carlebach minyan (led by Michael Reinhart) .............. 7:00 pm Candles ................................................... 7:05, 7:35 & 7:57 pm Moroccan Shir HaShirim/mincha ................................ 7:55 pm Mincha only ................................................................. 5:15 pm Minyanim Plag .............................................................................. 6:44 pm Hashkama ................................................................. 7:00 am Mincha .................................................... 6:45, 7:15 & 8:05 pm Sefard ....................................................................... 8:30 am Ashkenaz (Social Hall) ............................................. 8:30 am Carlebach minyan ....................................................... 7:00 pm Moroccan ................................................................. 9:00 am Moroccan Shir HaShirim/mincha ................................ 8:05 -
Orthodox-Israel-Coalition.Pdf
VOTE ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION IN THE WORLD ZIONIST ELECTION YOUR VOTE DIRECTLY INFLUENCES HOW $5 BILLION IN FUNDING WILL BE ALLOCATED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS HELP SECURE FUNDING FOR RELIGIOUS ZIONIST INSTITUTIONS AND INITIATIVES JANUARY 21 – MARCH 11, 2020 THE WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS ELECTION The World Zionist Congress convenes every five years. Delegates to the Congress are members of slates that represent various factions and ideologies across the spectrum of Judaism. Slates are awarded delegates based on the number of votes they receive in the World Zionist Congress Election. The more votes we receive, the stronger our voice will be at the Congress. These delegates determine leadership positions and will influence policies that shape the future of Israel and impact Zionist programming and organizations in the United States. RABBINICAL COUNCIL OF AMERICA הסתדרות הרבנים דאמריקה THE OIC The Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC) is a broad-based coalition of the major Religious Zionist and Orthodox organizations that has advocated for Orthodox ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION Jewry as part of the World Mizrachi delegation in in the World Zionist Congress MIZRACHI: VOTE TORAH for over 100 years. VOTE SLATE #4 • WWW.VOTEOIC.ORG VOTE WITH US! OIC AMBASSADORS RABBINIC LEADERS Rabbi Yosef Rabbi Yosef Blau Rabbi Marvin Rabbi Haskel Rabbi Marc Rabbi Michael Rabbi Hershel Rabbi Dr. JJ Adler Hier Lookstein Penner Rosensweig Schachter Schacter Rabbi Shalom Rabbi Hershel Rabbi Efrem Rabbi Kenneth Rabbi Raymond Rabbi Dr. Rabbi Elazar Rabbi Chaim Baum Billet Goldberg -
© Cambridge University Press Cambridge
Cambridge University Press 0521826926 - A Dictionary of Jewish-Christian Relations Edited by Edward Kessler and Neil Wenborn Excerpt More information AAAA Aaron Aaron, as a point of contact between Jews and Aaron is a figure represented in both Testaments Christians, was acknowledged in the Letter to and referred to typologically in both. His priestly the Hebrews as the founder of the Jewish priest- role is the dominant feature shared by Judaism and hood, who offered acceptable sacrifice to God. Christianity, but in the latter this role is appropri- The anonymous author appropriated the still- ated in order to highlight the superiority of the developing Jewish tradition and contrasts the once- priesthood of Jesus. Thereafter, because the Jewish and-for-all priesthood of Jesus (which was claimed tradition continued to stress his priestly status, he to derive from the priesthood of Melchizedek) with faded out of the Christian tradition. the inferior yet legitimate priesthood of Aaron. In the book of Exodus Aaron appears as the There is no polemic intent against Aaron in brother of Moses and Miriam, playing a subordi- Hebrews. Two texts, Ps. 2.7 and 110.4, are used to nate but important role as spokesperson for Moses show that God designated Jesus as the unique Son before the Pharaoh, although in the earliest literary and High Priest. His self-sacrifice, analogous to the strata of the Torah there is no evidence that he is sacrifice of the High Priest on the Day of Atone- a priest. His priestly role becomes clear only in the ment,isdepictedasacovenant-inauguratingevent, later so-called Priestly Document, in the descrip- fulfilling the expectations of the new covenant in tion of the construction of the Tabernacle and the Jeremiah. -
Miri Talmon-Bohm Schusterman Visiting Israel Studies Professor Department of Hebrew & Semitic Studies George L
FROM THE LAND OF OUR FOREFATHERS TO OUR MOTHER, THE HOME-LAND: NEGOTIATIONS OF CULTURAL IDENTITY IN ISRAELI CINEMA Miri Talmon-Bohm Schusterman Visiting Israel Studies Professor Department of Hebrew & Semitic Studies George L. Mosse/ Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies University of Wisconsin-Madison ABSTRACT Israeli-Hebrew culture was constructed in a conscious effort to create an authentic new culture in the land of Israel, which will articulate the national revival of the Jewish people in its ancient homeland, contain the different cultural heritages in-gathering to the new country from the diverse diasporas and create an indigenous authentic culture in its new geographical and cultural context. With time, these initial aspirations have adapted to the constraints and processes in Israeli and global history. Israeli Cinema, as an integral part of the construction of modern Jewish identity in its Hebrew-Zionist version, reflects the fluid and volatile nature of Jewish identity, as well as transformations in the unique negotiations of “Jewishness” within Israeli culture today. 1. Prologue: Here in the Beloved Land of Our Forefathers In 1912, on a field trip of the Tel-Aviv Hebrew school “Gymnasia Hertzliya”, the music teacher Hanina Kracevsky taught the students a new song, whose lyrics were composed by another teacher at school, Israel Dushman. Dushman composed new lyrics to a Yiddish song, whose lyrics were originally composed by Maurice Rosenfeld and published in a Yiddish magazine under the title: “Exile March”. Rosenfeld’s Yiddish poem describes the endless journey of the wandering Jew, which is so vividly visualized in the painter Shmuel Hircshenberg’s paintings, and in particular the one titled “Galut” (meaning in Hebrew: Exile). -
Dear Members, We Are Excited to Embark on the Final and Most Critical
Dear Members, We are excited to embark on the final and most critical phase in choosing our next Mara D’atra. Last week, the search committee recommended, and the board approved, two candidates, Rabbis Daniel Fridman (Teaneck Jewish Center) and Chaim Strauchler (Shaarei Shomayim, Toronto), to be introduced to the membership next month. Each of these wonderful candidates will visit our community for a long weekend proba, giving members an opportunity to interact with him in various formal and informal settings. Most of the programming will take place in a heated tent that will be erected in the shul parking lot in early February. A detailed schedule of the proba shabbatot, which will take place on February 20–22 (R. Strauchler) and February 27–March 1 (R. Fridman), will be available shortly. We anticipate holding a membership-wide vote following Rabbi Fridman’s proba. Rabbi Daniel Fridman Rabbi Daniel Fridman has served as Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Center of Teaneck since 2016. Before that, he served for many years on the rabbinic staff at The Jewish Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, including as Resident Scholar from 2009-2016. Rabbi Fridman has served as S’gan Rosh Yeshiva at Torah Academy Bergen County (TABC) since 2016 after joining the faculty there in 2015. Rabbi Fridman has also been on the faculty of Lamdeinu, an adult education center in Teaneck, since 2015, where he has given, among other things, a women’s Talmud shiur and classes on Parashah and Haftarah. Rabbi Fridman is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Rabbinical Council of America. -
CFP: Thou Shalt Make Cinematic Images! Jewish Faith and Doubt on Screen (6/1/16; 10/26-30/16)
H-Film CFP: Thou Shalt Make Cinematic Images! Jewish Faith and Doubt on Screen (6/1/16; 10/26-30/16) Discussion published by Cynthia Miller on Friday, March 18, 2016 CALL FOR PAPERS CFP: Thou Shalt Make Cinematic Images! Jewish Faith and Doubt on Screen An area of multiple panels for the 2016 Film & History Conference: Gods and Heretics: Figures of Power and Subversion in Film and Television October 26-October 30, 2016 The Milwaukee Hilton Milwaukee, WI (USA) DEADLINE for abstracts: June 1, 2016 AREA: Thou Shalt Make Cinematic Images! Jewish Faith and Doubt on Screen Despite Judaism’s commandment against making graven images of God, films representing Jewish faith in God—or doubt in the face of collective and personal catastrophes and competing worldviews—have abounded from the advent of the movie industry. Since God cannot be visualized, movies must rely on depictions of an omnipotent historical and moral force, or a source of belief compelling Jews to endure martyrdom, persecution, and segregation, and to observe Jewish law and rituals. Motion pictures about how God informs modern Jewish lives have become more varied with the emergence of Jewish denominationalism and secular ideologies, like socialism or Zionism, often pitting factions within the Jewish community against each other. This area welcomes papers and panels that explore how Jewish belief and disbelief in God are constructed by filmmakers in documentaries and feature movies. The following themes are suggestions and should not be construed as the only topics that would fit in this area: The portrayal of Judaism in documentaries: Heritage: Civilization and the Jews (1984), A Life Apart (1997), and The Story of the Jews (2013). -
TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld April 2015 • Pesach-Yom Haatzmaut 5775
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld April 2015 • Pesach-Yom Haatzmaut 5775 Dedicated in memory of Cantor Jerome L. Simons Featuring Divrei Torah from Rabbi Kenneth Brander • Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh Rabbi Josh Blass • Rabbi Reuven Brand Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff • Rona Novick, PhD Rabbi Uri Orlian • Rabbi Ari Sytner Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner • Rabbi Ari Zahtz Insights on Yom Haatzmaut from Rabbi Naphtali Lavenda Rebbetzin Meira Davis Rabbi Kenny Schiowitz 1 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Pesach 5775 We thank the following synagogues who have pledged to be Pillars of the Torah To-Go® project Congregation Kehillat Shaarei United Orthodox Beth Shalom Yonah Menachem Synagogues Rochester, NY Modiin, Israel Houston, TX Congregation The Jewish Center Young Israel of Shaarei Tefillah New York, NY New Hyde Park Newton Centre, MA New Hyde Park, NY For nearly a decade, the Benajmin and Rose Berger Torah To-Go® series has provided communities throughout North America and Israel with the highest quality Torah articles on topics relevant to Jewish holidays throughout the year. We are pleased to present a dramatic change in both layout and content that will further widen the appeal of the publication. You will notice that we have moved to a more magazine-like format that is both easier to read and more graphically engaging. In addition, you will discover that the articles project a greater range in both scholarly and popular interest, providing the highest level of Torah content, with inspiration and eloquence.