DOCSLIB.ORG

The Gift of Renewal: Making the Most of a New Beginning

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Gift of Renewal: Making the Most of a New Beginning In this issue August/September 2013 Av 5773–Tishrei 5774 The Gift of Renewal: Making the Most of a New Beginning The summer is ending so we prepare to usher in a new season. This, of course, means that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is For more information, Calendar approaching and we are once more asked to contemplate what it means 577 4 of Events, Rabbis' sermons, and to begin anew. Fortunately we find in Parshat Shoftim a wonderful verse for Emergency School Closings be that has the potential to give us great insight into what the process sure to check our website at www. of renewal entails: “Shoftim...titen lekha b'kol sha'arekha – Judges you nssbethel.org or call 847-432-8900. shall place in all your gates”. On the surface this verse simply means that the Israelites were commanded to set up a judicial system in each Learn of our communities. However, the Iturey Torah, a popular Chasidic Our Schools pg.15-16 commentary, reads into this a deeper spiritual meaning as this verse New Year of Learning Center Pullout is always read as the month of Elul is ushered in – the month we are supposed to begin the period of introspection and contemplation that will prepare us for the High Holidays. According to this commentary Pray From the Desk the “gates” referred to here are not physical gates at all but the seven High Holidays Schedule pg.11 “gates of the soul”. Thus, according to this commentary, spiritually Sukkot Service Schedule pg.13 of Rabbi Schwab this verse acts as an imperative for engaging in the process of deep Kabbalat Shabbat on the Lake pg.32 introspection, “judging” ourselves truthfully on the ultimate level of the soul. Therefore, this command to place “judges at the gates” represents our task at this time of the year to become especially mindful Community of who we are, of what our shortcomings might be, of how we can Honey Bear Kosher Gift Box pg.8 improve and remake ourselves to better serve our loved ones, the wider Social Action in Action pg.12 community and God. Schach & Lulav pg.19 This process is critical to our understanding of renewal because it is Sukkah Walk pg.32 part and parcel of what we mean by preparing to do Teshuvah, the act of repentance that defines the High Holidays and which is represented by the shofar. The phrase “Rosh Hashanah”, the head of the year, never actually appears in the Torah. The Biblical holiday we celebrate on the first day of Tishrei was originally called “Yom Hazicaron Truah” – the day of blowing the shofar. Therefore, it is the symbol of the shofar that gives Rosh Hashanah it’s meaning. The rabbis tell us that the purpose of Mission Statement the shofar’s blast is to bring us to a state of alert mindfulness in order to help us prepare for the atonement we hope to achieve on Yom Kippur. We are a congregation of families and individuals Therefore, the tekiah serves as a sharp reminder to shift our gaze from who come together to pray, to study, and to create the material world around us and what it can do for us, to our own a warm and welcoming community. We seek to individual souls, all seven gates, and to contemplate how we can do a preserve and enhance our People's traditions better job of serving others. within the context of Conservative Judaism. We This process of teshuvah, though difficult to undergo, should be aspire to strengthen our Jewish identity to meet seen as a great gift. We are so fortunate that each year Judaism allows the challenges of a changing environment. We us an opportunity to pull ourselves out of any of the negative patterns endeavor to provide resources to help us relate we have fallen into during the course of our lives. Theologically, we to God, understand the ways of God and enrich proclaim during the High Holidays our belief that God understands the Jewish content of our lives. We encourage that we have faults and that God not only welcomes our attempt at our members to serve worthwhile causes within atonement and improvement, but believes in our ability to accomplish our Congregation and the wider Jewish and world both. Yom Kippur, with its message of renewal, expresses supreme communities. We are committed to support Israel. We educate our children so they commit to the optimism – optimism that we can improve our relationships with cultural, spiritual, and ethical values of our People. (continued on page 2) August-September 2013/ Av 5773-Tishrei 5774 1 From the Desk of Rabbi Schwab The Gift of Renewal: Making the Most of a New Beginning (continued from page 1) others, optimism that we can overcome obstacles, optimism that My prayer, therefore, is that we all have the foresight and ability to we can participate more fully in our Jewish tradition and optimism embrace this season of teshuvah (repentance) with the deep level of that we can do a better job at caring for others. It is no wonder that introspection it demands and, moreover, to see the High Holidays Yom Kippur was described by our ancient Sages in the Mishnah as as the true gift they are, moments in time that bequeath to us much a holiday of celebration. For at the conclusion of Yom Kippur each needed optimism and hope in ourselves and in our world. person had the opportunity to claim the gift of hope that Yom Shanah Tovah! Kippur bestows upon us each year. For at that moment each of us has the chance to see the world through new eyes, to see a world forgiven and renewed with new potential and better outcomes. Shabbat Schedule See calendar for times. Monday through Friday Shabbat, August 3 Shabbat, September 7 Mornings, 7:15am Birkat Ha'Hodesh Shabbat Shuvah Parashat Re'eh Parashat Ha'azinu Sunday through Thursday Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 –16:17 Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1–32:52 Evenings, 7:30pm Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11–55:5 Haftarah: Hosea 14:2–10; Joel 2:15– 27; Micah 7:18–20 Sunday and Legal Holiday Shabbat, August 10 Mornings, 8:45am Parashat Shoftim Shabbat, September 14 Rosh Hodesh Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9 Yom Kippur/Yizkor Mornings, 7:00am Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 –52:12 Shabbat, September 21 Services are conducted by: Shabbat, August 17 Hol Hamoed Sukkot Rabbi Vernon H. Kurtz, Rosh Hodesh Elul Torah: Exodus 33:12–34:26 Rabbi Michael Schwab, Parashat Ki Titze Haftorah: Ezekiel 38:18–39:16 Hazzan Larry B. Goller Torah: Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1–10 Shabbat, September 28 Birkat Ha'Hodesh Shabbat, August 24 Parashat Bereshit Parashat Ki Tavo Torah: Genesis 1:1–6:8 Torah: Deuteronomy 26:1– 29:8 Haftorah: Isaiah 42:5 – 43:10 11:00am Every Shabbat Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1–22 Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan B'yachad Shabbat, August 31 Services for families with Selichot children 2nd grade and younger Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelekh Junior Congregation Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9–29:30 Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10–63:9 Services for students in 3rd - 5th grade August-September 2013/ Av 5773-Tishrei 5774 2 President's Corner by Lisa Rosenkranz I’ve been addressed as Madame President a lot in the last few committees to identify at least 2 new programs that they would like to months. I have to admit, it feels a bit foreign. I certainly never try in the next year that will enhance our community. expected or planned to become President of NSSBE (but then, One of the most exciting and visible projects going on right who does?), but Beth El has been an important part of my and my now is the renovation of the Blumberg Auditorium. It will truly family’s life for many years and this seemed like the right thing to become a jewel of our campus and enable us to take advantage of do. I spoke to many people before deciding to accept this position. this incredible property on the lake that our founders acquired for Andrew Brown, our immediate past president, made a point that us. It has taken tremendous planning, effort, dedication and time really resonated with me. He commented that a synagogue has a to bring this to fruition. I thank Karen Kesner, Seth Pines and the very direct impact on people’s lives. This is the place where the most other members of the House Committee - Stuart Cohen, Richard meaningful and emotional life events occur. Many of our strongest Becker, & Michael Carney - who have devoted innumerable hours to memories are associated with Synagogue life and Jewish ritual. And the planning and management of this project to ensure that it has a I realized I want to have an opportunity to positively impact your very successful completion. And, of course, nothing happens in this experience with Beth El. building without the extraordinary efforts of our Executive Director, I hope to get to know many of you over my two year term. To Chuck Kahalnik. start that process, let me tell you a little about me. My husband I want to thank our very generous and gracious donors who Jeff and I have been members here for over 20 years. Neither of us made this all possible. I also want to thank Sisterhood who donated are from the Chicago area, but we both grew up in conservative $100,000 towards the completion of the new staging area that is synagogues. We have two wonderful sons, Ben who is 18 and being created next to the kitchen where the stage used to be.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Joshua 7.Pdf
    Joshua 7 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. 7 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. 13 Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. I. Hidden Things Make Easy Things Difficult (1-5) 7 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. 2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth- aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not make all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” I. Hidden Things Make Easy Things Difficult (1-5) 4 So about 3,000 men went up there from the people.
    [Show full text]
  • Rahab the Prostitute: a History of Interpretation from Antiquity to the Medieval Period
    Rahab the Prostitute: A History of Interpretation from Antiquity to the Medieval Period Irving M. Binik Department of Jewish Studies McGill University, Montreal April, 2018 A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts © Irving Binik 2018 Abstract Rahab the Canaanite prostitute saves the two spies who were sent by Joshua to reconnoiter Jericho in preparation for the impending Israelite invasion. In recompense for her actions, Rahab and her family are saved from the destruction of Jericho and are allowed to live among the Israelites. This thesis investigates the history of interpretation of the Rahab story from antiquity to medieval times focusing on textual, narrative and moral issues. It is argued that an important theme in the history of interpretation of the Rahab story is its message of inclusiveness. Le résumé Rahab, la prostituée Cananéenne, sauve la vie des deux espions qui avaient été envoyés par Joshua en reconnaissance en vue de l’invasion Israélite imminente de la ville de Jéricho. En guise de récompense pour son aide, Rahab et sa famille sont épargnées et autorisées à vivre parmi les Israélites après la destruction de Jericho. Ce mémoire retrace l’historique de l’interprétation de l’histoire de Rahab de l’Antiquité au Moyen-Age, et ce en se penchant sur les problématiques textuelles, narratives et morales qui sont en jeu. L'importance de la thématique de l’inclusion dans l’interprétation de l’histoire de Rahab est tout particulièrement mise de l'avant. ii Table of Contents Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………1 Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………............................2 Chapter 2: Inner-biblical Interpretation Plot……………………………………………………………………...................
    [Show full text]
  • Joshua: Consequences of Achan's
    JOSHUA: CONSEQUENCES OF ACHAN’S SIN Joshua 7 - 8 STRUCTURE Key-persons: Joshua and Achan Key-locations: Jericho and Ai Key-repetitions: • Forbidden plunder: Achan took things that should have been offered to the Lord (Jos 7:1); the Lord told Joshua that Israel took forbidden plunder (Jos 7:11); the Lord revealed to Joshua that Achan had taken forbidden plunder (Jos 7:16-18); Achan confessed that he took forbidden plunder (Jos 7:20-21). • Israel’s despair after defeat by Ai: the people’s hearts melted (Jos 7:5); Joshua ripped his clothes and fell face down to the ground (Jos 7:6); Israel’s leaders threw dirt on their heads (Jos 7:6); Joshua prayed a prayer of despair (Jos 7:7-9). Key-attitudes: • Achan’s greed. • Israel’s self-confidence over conquering Ai. • Israel’s despair after Ai defeated the Israelites’ army. • God’s condemnation of disobedience. Initial-situation: The Israelites were camped along the east bank of the Jordan River. On the other side of the river was the Promised Land of Canaan. Joshua chose two men and sent them to spy out the city of Jericho. A prostitute named Rahab hid the two spies. The Lord stopped the flow of the flooding Jordan River and the Israelites walked across the Jordan River into Canaan. The Israelites followed God’s instruction to march around the city of Jericho. The city walls of Jericho collapsed and the Israelites destroyed every living thing in it – people and animals, except Joshua spared Rahab, the prostitute, and her family.
    [Show full text]
  • Sermon Outline (PDF)
    Sermon Outline “AND THE LORD GAVE THEM REST”: A CHRISTIAN READING OF THE BOOK OF JOSHUA A DAY OF JUDGMENT (JOSHUA 7:16-21) I. Introduction II. The Process of Elimination (Joshua 7:16-17) A. Israel’s day of judgment begins (v 16). B. Joshua brings Israel toward him, tribe by tribe. C. The process of elimination begins (vv 17-18). 1. First, the tribe of Judah is chosen. 2. Second, the clan of Zerah is chosen (v 17). 3. Third, the household of Zabdi is taken. 4. Fourth, Achan Ben-Carmi is taken (v 18). *Questions for reflection: (1) How does the process of elimination unfold? (2) Which tribe, clan, and household does Achan come from? III. Joshua Confronts Achan (Joshua 7:19) A. Joshua speaks face to face with Achan: B. As the pastor and father of God’s flock, Joshua would have found it deeply unpleasant to have to confront his own people with their sins. C. The fact that Joshua calls Achan “My son” shows that Joshua considers Achan part of the family of Israel and may have affection for him even now. D. But the glory of God always comes first. 1. Joshua urges Achan to confess his sin. 2. Joshua urges Achan to “give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him.” a. When we sin, God’s glory is at stake. b. All sin is an attempt to push God’s Presence away, to damage God’s glory. *Questions for reflection: (1) Joshua calls Achan, “My son.” What does this tell us about how Joshua sees Achan? (2) What does Joshua urge Achan to do? (3) Why would Achan’s confession bring honor to God? 6 IV.
    [Show full text]
  • Prayer for the State of Israel 166 Prayer for the Welfare of Israel’S Soldiers 168 Hatikvah
    Edited by Rabbi Tuly Weisz The Israel Bible: Numbers First Edition, 2018 Menorah Books An imprint of Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd. POB 8531, New Milford, CT 06776-8531, USA & POB 4044, Jerusalem 9104001, Israel www.menorahbooks.com The Israel Bible was produced by Israel365 in cooperation with Teach for Israel and is used with permission from Teach for Israel. All rights reserved. The English translation was adapted by Israel365 from the JPS Tanakh. Copyright © 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved. Cover image: © Seth Aronstam - https://www.setharonstam.com/ All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews. The Israel Bible is a holy book that contains the name of God and should be treated with respect. Table of Contents iv Credits v Acknowledgements viii Aleph Bet Chart ix Introduction xv Foreward xviii Blessing Before and After Reading theTorah 19 The Book of Numbers 129 Biographies of The Israel Bible Scholars 131 Bibliography 142 List of Transliterated Words in The Israel Bible 157 Photo Credits 158 Chart of the Hebrew Months and their Holidays 161 Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors 162 List of Prime Ministers of the State of Israel 163 Prayer for the State of Israel 166 Prayer for the Welfare of Israel’s Soldiers 168 Hatikvah iii Credits
    [Show full text]
  • Book of Joshua
    Book of Joshua Part 8 Historical, War, Conquest, Prophetic & Victorious Living Defeat at Ai 7 But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed ​ ​ ​ ​ things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned ​ against the children of Israel. 1. Starts chapter with “but”....this is not good 2. Geneology tells us this is the descendants of Zerah is offspring from Judah’s whoredom with Tamar….His daughter in law….Jesus genealogy 3. Did Joshua ask of the Lord prior to battle...could the defeat have been prevented….. 4. Children of Israel suffer….your sin is not isolated to you! Satans lie...it is not hurting anyone….it is just affecting me…..generational blessing and cursing 5. Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and ​ ​ ​ overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: - ​ ​ Blessings and Curses overtake us 6. What sin do you bring into the camp? What are you stealing or hiding?? 7. Sin is serious even in the New Testament…..Acts 5:But a certain man ​ ​ named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he ​ ​ ​ kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and ​ ​ ​ ​ brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these ​ ​ ​ words, fell down and breathed his last.
    [Show full text]
  • Deuteronomy 30 Commentary
    Deuteronomy 30 Commentary PREVIOUS NEXT Moses on Mt Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1+) Listen to Mt Nebo as you Ponder How Moses' May Have Felt Deuteronomy by Irving Jensen- used by permission deut Source: Ryrie Study Bible Deuteronomy Dt 1:1-4:43 Dt 4:44-26:19 Dt 27:1-34:12 Moses' Moses' Moses' First Second Third Discourse Discourse Discourse Historical Legal Prophetical Review Exposition Promises Looking Back Looking Up Looking Ahead What God What God 40 Years Expected of Israel Will Do for Israel Recapitulation Rehearsal Ratification Historical of Wanderings of Israel's Law of Israel's Covenant Appendices Remembrance Commandments Dt 27:1-30:20 Dt 31:1-34:12 of the past for the Present Blessing and Cursing Death of Moses Take Heed Ten Related Two Choices Affecting Moses' Parting Don't forget Commands Commands the Future Words Dt 1:1-4:43 Dt 4:44-11:32 Dt 12:1-16:17 Dt 16:18-20:20 Dt 21:1-26:19 Dt 27:1-28:68 Dt 29:1- Dt 31:1-34:12 Looking Back Exposition of Ceremonial Civil Social Ratification of 30:20 Moses' Song, Decalogue Laws Laws Laws Covenant Terms of Blessing, Death Covenant Plains of Moab ca. 2 Months Moses: Author (Except Dt 34) Deuteronomy 30:1 "So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all nations where the LORD your God has banished you, KJV - And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, So it shall be Dt 4:30; Leviticus 26:40-46 he blessing and the curse Dt 30:15,19; 11:26-28; 27:1-28; 29:18-23; Leviticus 26:1-46 you call them to mind Dt 4:29; 1 Kings 8:47,48; Isaiah 46:8; Ezekiel 18:28; Luke 15:17 where Genesis 4:14; Jeremiah 8:3 Deuteronomy 30 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries The Strong Appeal and Hope of the Covenant: Restoration—Repentance and Forgiveness, Deut 30:1-20.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of the Book of Joshua Sermon # 6 “THERE IS NO SUCH THING
    A Study of the Book of Joshua Sermon # 6 “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SECRET SIN” Joshua 7:1-26 The seventh chapter of Joshua opens with the ominous word “but.” The use of the little conjunction of contrast is designed to drive home the reality that victory is often followed by the threat of defeat. Suddenly we are presented with a series of failures that stand in striking contrast to the victories of the past six chapters. Israel had just experienced a miraculous victory over Jericho, “but” now they are going to experience defeat. The gladness of victory was soon replaced by the gloom of defeat, all this because of the disobedience of one man. This story has much to teach about the devastating effects of sin. “But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel. (2) Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the country.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. (3) And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few.” (4) So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.
    [Show full text]
  • The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg IV Bible Times And
    The Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg Translated from the German Manuscript IV Bible Times and Characters From Joshua to Esther 1913 CONTENTS I. Joshua The Servant of Moses — Entering the Promised Land — Conquest of the Land — The Sun Obeys Joshua — War with the Armenians — Allotment of the Land. II. The Judges The First Judge — Campaigns of Kenaz — Othniel — Boaz and Ruth — Deborah — Gideon — Jephthah — Samson — The Crime of the Benjamites. III. Samuel and Saul Elkanah and Hannah — The Youth of Samuel — Eli and His Sons — The Activities of Samuel — The Reign of Saul — The Court of Saul. IV. David David's Birth and Descent — Anointed King — Encounter with Goliath — Pursued by Saul — Wars — Ahithophel — Joab — David's Piety and His Sin — Absalom's Rebellion — David's Atonement — Visitations — The Death of David — David in Paradise — The Family of David — His Tomb. V. Solomon Solomon Punishes Joab — The Marriage of Solomon — His Wisdom — The Queen of Sheba — Solomon Master of the Demons — The Building of the Temple — The Throne of Solomon — The Hippodrome — Lessons in Humility — Asmodeus — Solomon as Beggar — The Court of Solomon. VI. Judah and Israel The Division of the Kingdom — Jeroboam — The Two Abijahs — Asa — Jehoshaphat and Ahab — Jezebel — Joram of Israel. VII. Elijah Elijah before His Translation — After His Translation — Censor and Avenger — Intercourse with the Sages — God's Justice Vindicated — Elijah and the Angel of Death — Teacher of the Kabbalah — Forerunner of the Messiah. VIII. Elisha and Jonah Elisha the Disciple of Elijah — The Shunammite — Gehazi — The Flight of Jonah — Jonah in the Whale — The Repentance of Nineveh.
    [Show full text]
  • Scripture-Studies-Jo
    New American Commentary1 Joshua 7-8 2. Covenant Disobedience (7:1–26) The account in this chapter is organically bound up with that in the following chapter (8:1–29), so much so that many scholars subsume both chapters under one heading. The sin that Achan committed, its consequences for the nation, and the process of discovery and punishment of the sin are all related here. The defeat at the hands of the men of Ai here is followed by victory over these same men in chap. 8. The victory was made possible because of the cleansing of the nation that had been defiled by Achan's sin. Several parallels exist between the accounts in Joshua 2 and 7. In Joshua 2, Rahab, a believing Canaanite, acted faithfully and, as a result, was promised deliverance from destruction. In effect, she became an Israelite. In Joshua 7, Achan, a disbelieving Israelite, acted faithlessly and, as a result, was not delivered but destroyed. In effect, he became a Canaanite. Achan thus stands as a foil to Rahab, and the two characters embody striking contrasts. (1) The Sin (7:1) 1But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel. 7:1 This verse is a transition between the story of the conquest of Jericho and that of the defeat at Ai. It anticipates for the reader the information that emerges in more detail throughout the chapter, especially in vv.
    [Show full text]
  • Joshua 6:15-21: Exploring the Deeper Meaning of the Herem
    Verbum Volume 4 Issue 1 Article 11 December 2006 Joshua 6:15-21: Exploring the Deeper Meaning of the Herem Mike Wegman St. John Fisher College Follow this and additional works at: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum Part of the Religion Commons How has open access to Fisher Digital Publications benefited ou?y Recommended Citation Wegman, Mike (2006) "Joshua 6:15-21: Exploring the Deeper Meaning of the Herem," Verbum: Vol. 4 : Iss. 1 , Article 11. Available at: https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol4/iss1/11 This document is posted at https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/verbum/vol4/iss1/11 and is brought to you for free and open access by Fisher Digital Publications at St. John Fisher College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Joshua 6:15-21: Exploring the Deeper Meaning of the Herem Abstract In lieu of an abstract, below is the essay's first paragraph. "In the Old Testament, there are a number of books that contain violent stories that may shock the casual reader. Some of these stories seem to encourage not only the slaughtering of enemy armies, but also the murder of innocent civilians. The book of Joshua, in particular, contains a number of such tales. In chapters six through eleven of this book, God instructs Joshua and his followers to obliterate dozens of enemy armies, and subsequently orders them to lay their towns to waste. Joshua and his followers put to death men, women, children, and livestock by the “edge of the sword.” Biblical scholars refer to this process of systematic destruction, in which all those who oppose the Lord are laid to waste, as the herem.
    [Show full text]
  • Achaicus Achan
    271 Achaicus 272 An inventory of buildings and works of art in freedman (CIL 6.21223). It was, however, also as- the cities of Achaia as found in the later 2nd cen- cribed to Lucius Mummius, who sacked Corinth in tury CE is provided by Pausanias Descr. (7.17, 5– 146 BCE. His descendants later adopted the name 27, 12). (e.g., Mummia Achaica; Suetonius Galb. 3). It is fur- ther attested as the name of an ephebe from Mess- Bibliography: ■ B. Bäbler, Archäologie und Chronologie ene (SEG 51.472) and an agonothetes in Argos (SEG (Darmstadt 2004). ■ H. Beck et al. (eds.), Polyklet: Der Bild- hauer der griechischen Klassik (Mainz 1990). ■ P. Moreno, 50.362). While a proximate connection with slavery “Lysippos,” in Künstlerlexikon der Antike (ed. R. Vollkommer; for our Achaicus is possible it cannot be proven. München/Leipzig 2001) 463–75. ■ R. Vollkommer, “Dam- Bibliography: ■ W. A. Meeks, The First Urban Christians ophon,” in Künstlerlexikon der Antike (ed. id.; München/Leip- (New Haven 22003) 56–58. zig 2001) 157–60. Trevor W. Thompson Balbina Bäbler 7. Achaia and the Bible Achan Corinth, the capital of the Roman province Achaia, I. Hebrew Bible/Old Testament was one of Paul’s missionary centers. Because of II. Judaism this fact, Achaia is very important for the NT. The I. Hebrew Bible/Old Testament apostle worked for a long time in this area and re- turned there several times, as his letters and the In the Hebrew Bible this name (MT Aka¯ n) appears book of Acts demonstrate (Acts 17 : 14–18 : 18; only in Josh 7 and 22 : 20 (a reference to the story in Josh 7).
    [Show full text]