Siddur Pirchei Kodesh
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Mishnah Berurah on the Shulchan Aruch
ספר משנה ברורה על השלחן ערוך אורח חיים Mishnah Berurah on The Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim הִ לִכוֹ תִ]שִ ם[ִסִ ימִןִא א ב א ר ה גוֹ ל ה א ד ין ]ש ם[, וּבוֹ ח' ס ע יפ ים The Shulchan Aruch was written by Rabbi Yosef ben Ephraim Karo (also called א Rabbi Moshe ben Naftoli א Hertz Rivkes, the author of the Baer HaGolah was born the Mechaber) was born in Toledo, Spain in 5248 (1488 CE) and died in Tzfas The Shulchan Aruch is printed with the comments of the Rema, Rabbi Moshe הגה : (in Vilna, Lithuania around in 5335 (1575 CE 5360 (1600 CE) and died in ben Yisroel Isserles. He was born in Krakow in 5280 and died in 5332 (1520 CE to 1572 CE). His comments ב (Holland in 5432 (1672CE meaning note. The Shulchan Aruch had based his rulings on the Rosh, the הגה He managed to escaped from are introduced by the word the Chmelnicki massacres of Rif and the Rambam. Only the Rosh had ever lived in an Ashkenazi community, before moving to Spain. 5048 (1648 CE) and the Therefore,, the Shulchan Aruch primarily reflects the Sephardic customs. The Rema added his annotations subsequent Polish-Russian war whenever the Sephardic customs of the Shulchan Aruch differ from the Ashkenazic customs. He called his that resulted from the Cossak The section of the Shulchan Aruch covered by the ב : (uprising against Polish rule, by commentary the Mapah (tablecloth settling in Amsterdam. commentary of the Mishnah Berurah is Orach Chayim (the way of life). -
Lisa Fredman RASHI's WOMEN: PROTOTYPES in PROVERBS
Lisa Fredman Dr. Lisa Fredman recently published A Critical Edition of Rashi’s Commentary to Proverbs. She was the founding Principal of the YTA Girls’ High School in Jerusalem and is currently a lecturer of Bible at Efrata College. RASHI’S WOMEN: PROTOTYPES IN PROVERBS he book of Proverbs is replete with text on the theme of women. It mentions many different types of women, and even abstract T concepts such as Madame Wisdom and Madame Folly (chap. 8). If we attempt to group these women, we can discern two general catego- ries: evil women and virtuous women.1 How are these two prototypical women, the evil and the virtuous, treated by Rashi in his commentary to Proverbs? Is each one considered individually, or can an overall order or pattern be detected regarding their treatment? Rashi’s commentary to Proverbs is a two-tiered one, similar to his commentary on the other biblical books. In his other scriptural commen- taries, however, Rashi generally uses the term midrasho to put forth the non-literal meaning and the word peshuto to introduce the literal explana- tion; here he presents new exegetical terms to explain the two levels of understanding.2 The word mashal denotes the allegorical meaning, and This article is an expansion of a lecture delivered at the Association for Jewish Studies Conference in San Diego, December 2019. I would like to thank Professor Jordan S. Penkower for reviewing this paper and offering valuable comments and suggestions. 1 In each category they are called by numerous names. For example, the evil woman is titled isha zara (Prov. -
Hirsch on Chanukah*
RABBI SAMSON RAFAEL HIRSCH ON CHANUKAH* Excerpted by Rabbi Moshe ben Asher, Ph.D. Originally vfubj [Chanukah] belonged to a se- the pleasure derived from the awareness of a nobler ries of festive days listed in Megillath Taanith. existence. These days conveyed recollections of blissful Hellenistic culture is a protector of rights and events that proclaimed the invisible yet open inter- freedom. These concepts, however, are applied vention of God’s almighty rule for the preservation only to those who are educated; they are subject to of the people and the Law. an arrogance that claims that the rights of human The silent beam of friendly lights relates the beings begin only after they have attained a certain victory of light over darkness and tells of the level of culture. Therefore, sensitivity and concern “pure” Menorah’s rescue from the clutches of regarding one’s own self, and those close to one- Greek corruption. Chanukah recounts the rededica- self, are paired with an enormous callousness, with tion of the Sanctuary, which had been despoiled by an utmost cruelty, which assumes that the inferior the Greeks. The celebration of the eight-day Feast “uneducated masses” lack genuine feelings of of Light recalls the victorious survival of the Sanc- honor or a sensitivity for freedom or human rights. tuary, not the courage of the Maccabees. It does not Attica, so vainglorious about its rights and liberties, commemorate the liberation of the Jewish home- saw no contradiction in the fact that three-quarters land from the grip of enemy hands; it hails the of its inhabitants lived in servitude and slavery. -
B”H Introduction in Our First Article on the AOJS, We Explored Interactions
B”H Introduction In our first article on the AOJS, we explored interactions between Rebbe and Dr. Offenbacher — its founder. In this article, we will make note of additional interactions the Rebbe had with the AOJS. While the full story of the relationship between the Rebbe and AOJS is worthy of a more detailed study, we will focus here on a few specific interactions. Dr. Cyril Domb Professor Dr. Cyril (Yechiel) Domb (5681-5772) was born in North London, England, into a Chasidic Jewish family. He was deeply affected and inspired by his grandparents who were deeply religious Jews. He, in turn, retained this deep religious feeling, was meticulous in his observance of the Mitzvos — which always took precedence over activities for professional advancement1— and spent much of his free time devoted to Talmudic studies (including attending a daily Daf Yomi Shiur). Dr. Domb led a long and fruitful career in the study of Theoretical physics and statistical mechanics, lecturing at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, King’s College, London University, Bar-Ilan University, University of Maryland, Yeshiva University, Hebrew University, Jerusalem College of Technology and the Weizmann Institute. Shortly before making aliyah to Israel, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. After encountering AOJS members in 5718, during a sabbatical year at the University of Maryland2, he helped found and lead a sister organization of the AOJS in London, in 57223. In 1971, Domb became the general editor of a book series which was sponsored by the AOJS, the purpose of which was to systematically present material which could be used for Jewish education. -
Chief Rabbi Joseph Herman Hertz
A Bridge across the Tigris: Chief Rabbi Joseph Herman Hertz Our Rabbis tell us that on the death of Abaye the bridge across the Tigris collapsed. A bridge serves to unite opposite shores; and so Abaye had united the opposing groups and conflicting parties of his time. Likewise Dr. Hertz’s personality was the bridge which served to unite different communities and bodies in this country and the Dominions into one common Jewish loyalty. —Dayan Yechezkel Abramsky: Eulogy for Chief Rabbi Hertz.[1] I At his death in 1946, Joseph Herman Hertz was the most celebrated rabbi in the world. He had been Chief Rabbi of the British Empire for 33 years, author or editor of several successful books, and champion of Jewish causes national and international. Even today, his edition of the Pentateuch, known as the Hertz Chumash, can be found in most centrist Orthodox synagogues, though it is often now outnumbered by other editions. His remarkable career grew out of three factors: a unique personality and capabilities; a particular background and education; and extraordinary times. Hertz was no superman; he had plenty of flaws and failings, but he made a massive contribution to Judaism and the Jewish People. Above all, Dayan Abramsky was right. Hertz was a bridge, who showed that a combination of old and new, tradition and modernity, Torah and worldly wisdom could generate a vibrant, authentic and enduring Judaism. Hertz was born in Rubrin, in what is now Slovakia on September 25, 1872.[2] His father, Simon, had studied with Rabbi Esriel Hisldesheimer at his seminary at Eisenstadt and was a teacher and grammarian as well as a plum farmer. -
Barbara Weiser a CANADIAN DESIGNER CREATES MANTLES
Barbara Weiser A CANADIAN DESIGNER CREATES MANTLES FOR THE PROPHET SCROLLS AT HOLY BLOSSOM TEMPLE In 1990 Rabbi Gunther Plaut of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto1 commissioned nine mantles for scrolls which had been donated to the synagogue in honour of Abbey Muter, Maurice Young, and Rita Eisendrath. Rabbi Plaut had a particular interest in collecting Judaica for the congregation.2 The nine scrolls, written by a scribe in New York in the early nineteenth century, were in need of new mantles. Estelle Latchman of Toronto, the Chair of the Arts and Acquisitions Committee at the Temple at the time, which curates the synagogue’s art collection, selected Sue Krivel, a Canadian textile artist, for the commission. Krivel set about creating mantles which would present a Jewish historical memory within the context of modernity. This article will highlight how this particular collection of mantle coverings marks a turning point in the historical development of Jewish ceremonial textile art in Canada, most notably in the areas of iconography, fabri- cation, choice of colour, the size, and overall coordination of the visual presentation. Prior to examining the creative expression of Krivel’s collection, it is worth noting that mantles for scrolls date back to the first century of the Christian era (Gutman 1970, 87). Jews in premodern times bestowed care on their scrolls by keeping them in cases (a Sephardic tradition) and/or in cloth coverings. The practical use of mantles is a protective one, but there were 207 208 Barbara Weiser also decorative purposes, of which allusion is made in the Talmudic admonition, “have a beautiful scroll of the Law prepared, copied by an able scribe with fine ink, and wrap it in beautiful silk” (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 133b; Gutman 1970, 91). -
CCAR Journal the Reform Jewish Quarterly
CCAR Journal The Reform Jewish Quarterly Halachah and Reform Judaism Contents FROM THE EDITOR At the Gates — ohrgJc: The Redemption of Halachah . 1 A. Brian Stoller, Guest Editor ARTICLES HALACHIC THEORY What Do We Mean When We Say, “We Are Not Halachic”? . 9 Leon A. Morris Halachah in Reform Theology from Leo Baeck to Eugene B . Borowitz: Authority, Autonomy, and Covenantal Commandments . 17 Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi The CCAR Responsa Committee: A History . 40 Joan S. Friedman Reform Halachah and the Claim of Authority: From Theory to Practice and Back Again . 54 Mark Washofsky Is a Reform Shulchan Aruch Possible? . 74 Alona Lisitsa An Evolving Israeli Reform Judaism: The Roles of Halachah and Civil Religion as Seen in the Writings of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism . 92 David Ellenson and Michael Rosen Aggadic Judaism . 113 Edwin Goldberg Spring 2020 i CONTENTS Talmudic Aggadah: Illustrations, Warnings, and Counterarguments to Halachah . 120 Amy Scheinerman Halachah for Hedgehogs: Legal Interpretivism and Reform Philosophy of Halachah . 140 Benjamin C. M. Gurin The Halachic Canon as Literature: Reading for Jewish Ideas and Values . 155 Alyssa M. Gray APPLIED HALACHAH Communal Halachic Decision-Making . 174 Erica Asch Growing More Than Vegetables: A Case Study in the Use of CCAR Responsa in Planting the Tri-Faith Community Garden . 186 Deana Sussman Berezin Yoga as a Jewish Worship Practice: Chukat Hagoyim or Spiritual Innovation? . 200 Liz P. G. Hirsch and Yael Rapport Nursing in Shul: A Halachically Informed Perspective . 208 Michal Loving Can We Say Mourner’s Kaddish in Cases of Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Nefel? . 215 Jeremy R. -
The Letters of Rabbi Samuel S. Cohon
Baruch J. Cohon, ed.. Faithfully Yours: Selected Rabbinical Correspondence of Rabbi Samuel S. Cohon during the Years 1917-1957. Jersey City: KTAV Publishing House, 2008. xvii + 407 pp. $29.50, cloth, ISBN 978-1-60280-019-9. Reviewed by Dana Evan Kaplan Published on H-Judaic (June, 2009) Commissioned by Jason Kalman (Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion) Samuel S. Cohon is a largely forgotten fgure. became popular, was deeply interested in Jewish The results of googling his name are quite limited. mysticism. Cohon helped guide the Reform move‐ Michael A. Meyer discusses him in his Response to ment through difficult terrain at a critical time in Modernity and a select number of other writers American Jewish history. Cohon is best known for have analyzed specific aspects of his intellectual his drafting of “The Columbus Platform: The Guid‐ contribution to American Reform Judaism, but ing Principles for Reform Judaism,” which is seen there has been relatively little written about Co‐ as having reversed the anti-Zionism of the “Pitts‐ hon.[1] The American Jewish Archives in Cincin‐ burgh Platform” of 1885. He is also of historical nati, Ohio, has an extensive collection of his pa‐ importance because of the role that he played in pers, and booksellers still stock a number of his critiquing the Union Prayer Book (UPB), which books, but most American Jews have no idea who was the prayer book in virtually every Reform he was. Even those with a serious interest in temple from the end of the nineteenth century American Jewish history or Reform Judaism are until the publication of The Gates of Prayer: The unlikely to know very much about him. -
The Religious Implications of an Historical Approach to Jewish Studies
DOCUMENT RESUME ED 482 214 SO 035 468 AUTHOR Furst, Rachel TITLE The Religious Implications of an Historical Approach to Jewish Studies. PUB DATE 2001-00-00 NOTE 59p.; Prepared by the Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions (Jerusalem, Israel). AVAILABLE FROM Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions,9 HaNassi Street, Jerusalem 92188, Israel. Tel: 972-2-567-1719; Fax: 972-2-567-1723; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.atid.org/ . PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE EDRS Price MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Curriculum Development; Discourse Communities; *Jews; *Judaism; *Religion Studies; *Religious Factors; Research Methodology; Scholarship IDENTIFIERS Historical Methods; *Jewish Studies; *Torah ABSTRACT This project examines the religious implications of an approach to "limmudei kodesh" (primarily the study of Talmud) and "halakhah" (an integration of academic scholarship with traditional Torah study and the evaluation of the educational pros and cons of a curriculum built on such a synthesis) .In the concerted effort over the past century to develop a program of "Torah U-Madda" that synthesizes Torah and worldly pursuits, Torah scholars have endorsed the value of secular knowledge as a complimentary accoutrement to the "Talmud Torah" endeavor, but few have validated the application of secular academic tools and methodologies to Torah study or developed a model for such integrated Torah learning. The Torah scholar committed to synthesis seeks to employ historical knowledge and methodological tools in the decoding of halakhic texts as a means of contributing to the halakhic discourse. Traditional "Talmud Torah" does not address the realm of pesak halakhah, but it is nonetheless considered the highest form of religious expression. -
Ou Vebbe Rebbe Rav Daniel Mann
FROM THE VIRTUAL DESK OF THE OU VEBBE REBBE RAV DANIEL MANN forbids speaking words of Torah there even Learning in a if not from a sefer, and there is a question whether holding a sefer Torah without read- Cemetery ing from it is forbidden (Pitchei Teshuva ad loc. 2). The Beit Yosef (Orach Chayim 23) Question: I work in a cemetery on upkeep infers from the gemara’s language of tefil- in the area of the graves. May I listen to lin on the head that tefillin shel yad are not Torah shiurim with earphones on site? a problem because they are not visible. He rules, therefore, that covering tefillin shel Answer: The gemara (Berachot 18a) for- rosh (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 45:1) bids “holding a sefer Torah and reading and tzitzit (ibid. 23:1) is sufficient. it, wearing tefillin on his head,” wearing tzitzit in an obvious manner, davening, How should we view listening to recorded and reciting Kri’at Shema in a cemetery/ Torah with earphones? In certain contexts, close to the deceased, due to the concept limud Torah refers to that which is spo- of lo’eg larash (literally, mocking the pau- ken. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 47:4) rules per). Chazal applied “One who mocks the that one does not need a birkat haTorah pauper blasphemes his Maker” (Mishlei before learning Torah in his head, and this 17:5) to one who performs actions (espe- apparently includes reading with his eyes cially mitzvot) in front of the deceased in a only from a sefer (Taz ad loc. -
INTRODUCING SIDDUR LEV CHADASH Charles H Middleburgh on Behalf of John D Rayner
33¢, INTRODUCING SIDDUR LEV CHADASH Charles H Middleburgh on behalf of John D Rayner On this momentous day in our movement’s history I stand here to perform a function that all of us would have liked John Rayner to have been able to carry out. John is recovering well from his heart surgery and we send him our sincere good wishes for a refitah sh ’lemah, a speedy return to full health and vigour. In his unavoidable absence, and based almost totally on the text he would have delivered to you all, it therefore gives me great pleasure(although the phrase has rarely seemed less adequate) to present to this conference, and to the Union of Liberal and Progressive Synagogues, the long-awaited Siddur Lev Chadash. I do so on behalf of the Editorial Committee and all who have been involved in the compilation and production of the book. It has been said that objectivity is a fine quality that each of us should develop, and I dare say that there are many who would approach the presentation of Siddur Lev Chadash with far greater objectivity than do I; my excuse then for being here, in spite of my irrcdeemably subjective approach to my present task is that I do, at least, have the advantage of - knowing the new book rather well just as a parent knows its child; r‘ if. except, of course, that this particular child is biologically unusual in that its gestation has taken several years, and that it has a plurality of COLLEG mothers and fathers, otherwise known as the Editorial Committee. -
Research Guide to Holocaust-Related Holdings at Library and Archives Canada
Research guide to Holocaust-related holdings at Library and Archives Canada August 2013 Library and Archives Canada Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 4 LAC’S MANDATE ..................................................................................................... 5 CONDUCTING RESEARCH AT LAC ............................................................................ 5 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ........................................................................................................................................ 5 HOW TO USE LAC’S ONLINE SEARCH TOOLS ......................................................................................................... 5 LANGUAGE OF MATERIAL.......................................................................................................................................... 6 ACCESS CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Government of Canada records ................................................................................................................ 7 Private records ................................................................................................................................................ 7 NAZI PERSECUTION OF THE JEWISH BEFORE THE SECOND WORLD WAR............... 7 GOVERNMENT AND PRIME MINISTERIAL RECORDS................................................................................................