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MARCH/APRIL 2013 a Tree of Life for Those Who Grasp It: Torah Study for Its Own Sake an Adult Education Course Between Pesah and Shavuot by Marc Ashley

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MARCH/APRIL 2013 a Tree of Life for Those Who Grasp It: Torah Study for Its Own Sake an Adult Education Course Between Pesah and Shavuot by Marc Ashley A Traditional, Egalitarian, and Participatory Conservative Synagogue ADAR/NISAN/IYAR 5773 NEWSLETTER/VOLUME 25:4 MARCH/APRIL 2013 A Tree of Life for Those Who Grasp It: Torah Study for Its Own Sake An adult education course between Pesah and Shavuot by Marc Ashley he study of Torah has been at the meritorious? Definitions of the ultimate Join our discussion of this pivotal heart of Jewish life for millennia, goals of Torah study have varied, from the concept in an adult education course, led embraced as the preeminent observance of commandments to love of by Congregant Marc Ashley, between activity and vehicle of religious God, from intellectual refinement to cultural Pesah and Shavuot. In “‘A Tree of Life for Tdedication. We study Torah in attachment. Those Who Grasp It:’ Torah Study for Its myriad settings, in schools and synagogues, Own Sake,” we will examine Jewish at meals and social events. Torah learning uch issues have been a peren- sources and perspectives on a pursuit is elevated above all else in Jewish thought nial source of Jewish debate, that is so central to Jewish life but the and practice, and scholarship in Jewish and were prominently featured goals and purpose of which are often left learning is deemed self-evidently worthwhile in clashing views of Hasidim unexamined. We will meet in the library on and admirable. But why is Torah study such Sand Mitnagdim in the early mod- four Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m., on an important Jewish value? ern period. They have surfaced most recently April 7, 14, 21, and 28. No prior knowledge The primacy of Torah study is indis- in arguments surrounding the inaugural of any kind is required. Please participate putable. A well-known rabbinic maxim speech of a new Knesset member, a secu- in our ongoing give-and-take about the states that Torah study has value equal to lar Talmud scholar, about the importance study of Torah, for the sake of strengthen- all of God’s other commandments. We of Torah study in modern Israeli culture. ing the place of Torah in our community. pledge in our prayers to “meditate on JA [words of Torah] day and night.” The Talmud COB BERGMAN, describes brilliant scholars as mighty warriors engaged in battles of the Torah, and as pearl divers capable of reaching FIFTH GRADE STUDENT great depths in pursuit of divine treasure. Such a virtue is Torah study that even God is described by the rabbis as engaging in daily study of Bible and Mishnah. A student’s motivations behind Torah study are, however, considered relevant to its value. The traditional ideal is study of Torah lishmah , learning for its own sake, presumably free of ulterior motive or con- sideration of reward. Yet the concept of “Torah lishmah” is not transparent. Torah study may, in fact, be a means to a higher end. As a threshold matter, whether study or deeds should be accorded greater value is a vexing issue. Can studying about God’s commandments be valued more highly than their actual performance? Is Torah study disconnected Kindergarten and first grade students from Or Zarua’s Hebrew School interviewed from practice of Jewish law considered Rabbi Bolton in his office (see page 7). 1 CONGREGATION OR ZARUA MARCH/APRIL 2013 President’s Message by Diane Okrent n Judaism, there whom they are close or from whom they has always been a may be estranged, let them come and A CONSERVATIVE SYNAGOGUE tension between the feast at our table. Let them find the physi- FOUNDED 1989 use of Hebrew, (the cal and spiritual nurturing they crave. 127 East 82nd Street Iholy language) and I take this direction very personally New York, NY 10028 the vernacular—be it and very seriously. Often, I have had to phone: 212-452-2310 fax: 212-452-2103 Aramaic, Yiddish, Ladino add another chair (or two or three) to my www.orzarua.org or, in our case, English. already long collection of tables to accom- Which prayers should be said in Hebrew modate those who need a place. I can’t SCOTT N. BOLTON, Rabbi and which should be said in the local stand knowing that someone has no place DR. HARLAN J. WECHSLER, Rabbi Emeritus language? to go for seder. And, if asked, I can’t turn DIANE OKRENT, President In recent years, I have been inter- someone away. HENRY GLANTERNIK, Treasurer ested in those prayers and traditional And so it is with Congregation Or HARVEY M. BRENNER, FTA, Executive Director documents that have remained in Zarua. We, as a community are committed Aramaic, the day-to-day language of the to opening our communal home to all who ILANA BURGESS, Youth Education Director Second Temple period (539 BCE-70 CE) are hungry—for community, for connection, CHARLES SPIELHOLZ, Newsletter Editor and the main language of the Gemara for religious services, for education for and the Zohar. For example, the Kaddish themselves and their children. We try to and Kol Nidre are in Aramaic, presumably “be there” for members of the community OZ Committee Chairs so that everyone could understand them. at all times. Look through this newsletter The traditional Ketubah is also written and read our weekly e-blasts to see the ADMINISTRATION Sara Stone in Aramaic. wide-ranging programs and services we As we approach Passover, I think provide every week of the year. AESTHETICS Aaron Shelden about Ha Lachma Anya, with which we This commitment, however, takes ART GALLERY Bobbi Coller begin the Maggid at the seder, preserved resources—both personal and financial. BOOK DISCUSSION Reed Schneider in the original Aramaic. “This is the bread We are a volunteer organization. We need BUILDING Benjamin Marcus of affliction which our ancestors ate in volunteers to create a minyan, lead the land of Egypt. All who are hungry, let services, read Torah and Haftarah, plan CEMETERY Aliza Kaplan them come and eat. All who are in need, programs, and perform acts of hesed. Mort Schwartz let them come celebrate Pesah. Now we And we need your financial support. DEVELOPMENT Andrew Plevin are here. Next year in the land of Israel. As I mentioned at Kol Nidre, membership HEBREW SCHOOL Betsy Dizengoff Now we are enslaved. Next year we will dues only provide 40 percent of our HESED Richard Stadin be free.” revenues. The rest comes from your We preserve this command in the ver- generous contributions at Kol Nidre and HEVRA KADISHA Vera Silver nacular so that everyone understands that throughout the year. As we approach Gerry Solomon Passover is inclusive—all who are hungry Pesah, count the Omer, remember the ISRAEL Aliza Kaplan are invited to come and eat. As I contem- Shoah, celebrate Israel’s 65th Independ- LIBRARY Barry Feldman plate the menu for my sedarim, I think ence Day, and celebrate Shavuot, I ask MEMBERSHIP Sarah Klagsbrun about the literal meaning of hunger and that you consider additional support for the material meaning of need. But I think the depth and breadth of the activities MINYAN Sheldon Adler about the spiritual meanings as well. All you will find at Or Zarua. PROGRAMMING Karen Kaplan who hunger for community, for connection I wish you and your family a happy, PUBLIC RELATIONS Aaron Shelden with their Jewish roots, and the family with healthy, joyous, and peaceful Pesah! PURIM SPIEL Arthur Rosenbloom Bonnie Maslin Barbara Sassoon KEVA AND KAVANNA: TORAH/HAFTARAH Marc Ashley Jay Palmer Our Fixed Prayers and Windows of Inspiration Thursdays at 8:35 a.m. in the OZ social hall WEBMASTER Jay Palmer This new siddur class, taught by Rabbi Bolton, studies the history, laws, teachings, If you are interested in serving on a synagogue and approaches to Jewish prayer. Prior knowledge is not required. committee, please contact the office for the committee chair’s email address. 2 WWW.ORZARUA.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2013 Shabbaton with Rabbi Eliezer Diamond The Siddur and the Haggadah: Investigations of Text, Song, and Prayer Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 liezer Diamond, articles, including a chapter on the rabbinic Sea as Reenactment and Metaphor.” the Rabbi period in the Schocken Guide to Jewish At Shabbat lunch, Rabbi Diamond will be Judah Nadich Books and articles in the Reader’s Guide to discussing “From Slavery to Freedom: Associate Judaism. His book, Holy Men and Hunger The Haggadah’s Twice-Told Tale.” The final EProfessor of Artists: Fasting and Asceticism in Rabbinic presentation will be during Seudah Shlishit: Talmud and Rabbinics Culture (2003, by Oxford University Press), “Server and Served, Gentile and Jew: at JTS, will be the OZ provides a thorough reassessment of Whose Story are We Telling at the Seder?” Scholar-in-Residence for the role that asceticism plays in rabbinic This Shabbaton, our first with Rabbi Shabbat on March 15 and 16. Many OZ Judaism. Rabbi Diamond is editing a com- Bolton, will be rewarding both intellectually Congregants already know Rabbi Diamond mentary on Yerushalmi Pesahim written by and musically. Please note that the lunch because he has taught the Rabbinical the late Professor Louis Ginzberg as well and dinner require reservations; RSVP as Judaism portion of the Context program as a volume on prayer. soon as possible. Details can be found and, most recently, presented a lecture, The main theme of Rabbi Diamond’s in the box below. There will be separate “From Sacrifice to Seder: Celebrating Shabbaton is “The Siddur and the Hagga- programming for young children. Passover in a Post-Temple World,” for last dah: Investigations of Text, Song, and year’s Pesah Context miniseries in honor Prayer.” He will be teaching four different of Rabbi Wechsler.
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