An Haftarah Companion As a Way of Finding a Theology of Judaism Table of Contents Introduction
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Emor Kohanim – Agents of God Or Man?
Emor Kohanim – Agents of God or Man? -Rabbi Moshe Pinchuk- Parahsat Emor is rife with questions. The Talmud lists eight passages that were related to Moshe upon the consecration of the Tabernacle, on the first of the month of Nissan. The appropriate place for these passages is in the parasha of Shemini, which opens with the dedication of the Tabernacle: “Eight sections were given forth on the day on which the Tabernacle was set up. They are: the section of the priests, the section of the Levites, the section of the ritually unclean, the section of the sending of the ritually unclean [out of the camp], the section commencing ‘After the death’…” Several of these passages are set forth in this week’s parasha, Emor: A. The section of the priests (kohanim): Rashi makes the following comment: “The section of the priests – “Speak to the kohanim,” which contains the laws of the kohanim. Because these laws were required that day in order for the kohanim to work in the Tabernacle, it was necessary for Hashem to convey them at that time.” According to Rashi, the “section of the priests” mentioned in the Talmud is the passage comprised of the first several verses of Parashat Emor. These verses set forth prohibitions relating to priestly ritual uncleanliness and marriage, as well as physical defects that disqualify a priest from working in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Why was this passage relocated from the parasha of Shemini to the beginning of Emor? B. The section of the ritually unclean: This section is identified as the passage beginning with the words “that they shall separate themselves from the holy [sacrifices] of the children of Israel.” This passage sets forth the laws of ritual cleanliness that pertain to the consumption of terumah (priestly contributions) and kodashim (holy sacrifices). -
Parashat Korach 5773 June 8, 2013
Parashat Korach 5773 June 8, 2013 This week’s Dvar Tzedek takes the form of an interactive text study. We hope that you’ll use this text study to actively engage with the parashah and contemporary global justice issues. Consider using this text study in any of the following ways: • Learn collectively. Discuss it with friends, family or colleagues. Discuss it at your Shabbat table. • Enrich your own learning. Read it as you would a regular Dvar Tzedek and reflect on the questions it raises. • Teach. Use the ideas and reactions it sparks in you as the basis for your own dvar Torah. Please take two minutes to share your thoughts on this piece by completing this feedback form . Introduction Parashat Korach opens with a scene of intense political drama in which a coalition of disgruntled Israelites challenges Moses and Aaron’s leadership. An analysis of this rebellion and the motivations of its leaders provides an opportunity to explore questions of politics, power and leadership—our associations with them, why they are important and how we might be able to utilize them to achieve the justice that we seek for our communities and the world. The Torah describes the opening of the showdown between Korach’s coalition and Moses and Aaron, as follows: במדבר טז:א ד, ח יא Numbers 16:1 ---4, 8 ---111111 ַוִ ַ ח ֹקַרח, ֶ ִיְצָהר ֶ ְקָהת ֶ ֵלִוי; ְוָדָת Now Korach, son of Izhar son of Kohat son of Levi, took, along ַוֲאִביָר ְֵני ֱאִליב, ְואֹו ֶ !ֶ לֶת ְ נֵי —with Datan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Pelet ְרא%ֵב. -
Parashat Haazinu Taught By: Ilan & Eden
OCTOBER 11, 2019 Parashat Haazinu Deuteronomy 31:1-30 Taught By: Ilan & Eden SUMMARY Ha’azinu is the second-to-last Torah portion and almost the whole thing is a song or poem that Moshe recites to the Israelites. The poem reminds us of God’s justice and patience even when Israel does things that are wrong. The words of the poem are written in the Torah scroll two columns. Moshe also tells the Israelites to remember their history and their connections--through their families--with God. After Moshe recites the poem God tells Moshe to go up on top of Mount Nebo so Moshe can see the land of Israel--even though God will not let him enter it. 1) Moshe begins some of his last words of inspiration and guidance--in the form of a poem--by הַאֲזִ֥ינוּ הַשָּׁמַ ֖יִם וַאֲדַבֵּ ֑רָ ה וְתִשְׁמַ ֥ע הָאָ ֖רֶ ץ אִמְרֵי־פִ ֽי׃ :saying Give ear, heavens, and I will speak; Listen, land, to the sayings of my mouth. Why might Moshe begin this way? Why ask the heavens and earth to hear instead of saying, Shema Yisrael, or something like that? EDEN: It makes sense to me that he wants to make sure he has everyone’s ILAN: Maybe saying listen up heaven and earth is attention before he starts talking. In class, when I have an important question a poetic way of saying that he wants EVERYONE, for my teacher, I want to make sure that she is listening before I ask. heaven to earth, top to bottom, to listen. -
Shabbat-B'shabbato – Parshat Behaalotecha No 1577: 19 Sivan 5775 (6 June 2015)
Shabbat-B'Shabbato – Parshat Behaalotecha No 1577: 19 Sivan 5775 (6 June 2015) AS SHABBAT APPROACHES Testimony for All of Humanity - by Rabbi Oury Cherki, Machon Meir, Rabbi of Beit Yehuda Congregation, Jerusalem This week's Haftarah begins with the return of the Shechina – the holy Presence – to Zion and with the significance of this process for mankind: "Sing and be happy, daughter of Zion, for I am coming, and I will dwell within you – this is what G-d says. And many nations will join together with G-d on that day." [Zecharia 2:14-15]. The end of the Haftarah describes the Shechina as an image of a Menorah, similar to the one in the Temple. The proximity of the two images is taken by the sages as proof that the Menorah will serve as testimony for all of humanity that the Shechina dwells within Bnei Yisrael. It is true that the Menorah is placed outside of the Holy of Holies, such that at first glance it would seem that it is at a lower level of sanctity than the Ark of the Covenant, where the Torah is kept. This corresponds to the notion that the nation of Yisrael, including the appearance of the Shechina within it, is of minor importance when compared to the Torah. However, Rav Kook explains that this is only true from an external point of view, but that from an internal viewpoint – since the Torah was given for the sake of Yisrael and Yisrael preceded the Torah – the Menorah is indeed holier than the Ark. -
Parshat Mishpatim 5773
Written by: Ruth Michaels Editor: David Michaels Parshat Acharey Mot-Kedoshim 5778 At the beginning of this parsha verse 2 states, “Speak to all the congregation of the to cleave to him (u'ldavkah bo). Moreover we are duty bound to do all that is good and children of Israel and say to them: holy shall you be... ". Rav Shimshon Refuel Hirsch perfect ...simply because G-d commanded us to do so." comments that only at the giving of the very first Law which Israel received, the command of the Pesach offering, do we find the order written in similar terms ,to He continues to ask " Why does the Torah say Kedoshim T'hihyu?" “You should be announce the Law to the whole community. The reason for this is because this holy...”. He answers that one should not think that kedoshim t'hihyu refers solely to admonition, "holy shall you be “ refers to the highest degree of moral human perfection forbidden sexual relations due to its juxtaposition to the laws at the end of Acharei Mot and every individual needs to be included in this call to very height of absolute morality. but this phrase refers to each of the Ten Utterances, This means the Jewish people should be holy and sanctify themselves in all matters. Rabbi M Miller suggests that Moshe had to speak to the whole congregation, to each one individually, because in the question of self restraint even from pleasures generally The parsha of Kedoshim follows the sedras from Vaiyikra to Acharei Mot. What is the permitted, each individual must know his own nature...detect in himself the inclinations significance of this order? According to Rav Shimshon Refuel Hirsch, the morality is that threaten to degrade him and exercise on himself those restraints that will restore learned from G-d’s word which rests beneath the wings of the keruvim. -
Shauni: This Week's Torah Portion Is Parashat Emor. We Will Be
May 3, 2018 Parashat Emor https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.21.1-15?lang=bi&aliyot=1 http://mirowitztorahreading.weebly.com/emor.html Ezra Ezra ben Yehoshu’a Asher v’Temima Fayga Shauni Chana Lilah bat Kalanit v’Warren Annika Chanukkah bat Miriam v’Yosef Abigail Yosef bat Laura v’Steven Omri Omri ben Eli-Mordecai v’Osnat Shauni: This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Emor. We will be reading from Sefer Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 21, Verses 1-3. Emor means “speak.” G-d tells Moshe to speak to the kohanim, the priests, about what they should do to be extra holy in order to serve in the Temple. Parashat Emor also tells us about the special holidays of the Jewish calendar, which make time holy throughout the year. The holy days connect us with our people, the land, the seasons, and with God. The first holy day mentioned is Shabbat, the day of rest. Omri: Then come Pesach and Shavuot, followed by the fall holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Parashat Emor also includes the mitzvah of counting the omer. All of us are commanded to count the omer. All year long, the Kohanim at our Holy Temple, offered wheat to God. In a ceremony from Pesach until Shavuot, barley was added, and the Kohanim counted on behalf of the Jewish People. These days we do the counting for ourselves. We count from the second day of Passover until just before Shavuot. That’s 7 weeks of 7 days - 7 weeks x 7 days equals 49 days! The 50th day is Shavuot. -
Ki Tissa Torah Together ּכי תשא “When You Take” Exodus 30:11 – 34:35
© 2016 Torah Together Study Series www.torahtogether.com Parashah 21 Ki Tissa Torah Together ּכי תשא “When you take” Exodus 30:11 – 34:35 While the previous two Torah portions focused in some detail on the construction of the Tabernacle and its associated articles, this portion returns to the story of the Israelites and describes a key event which occurred as they were encamped at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Also, we will witness a meaningful encounter between Moses and God from which much can be learned about the character of our God. Census and Atonement 1. Atonement Money - 30:11-16 In this passage, God ties When were the Israelites to pay their atonement money? How the paying of atonement much did they pay? What aspects of this command of God do you find with the taking of a interesting? census. In ancient times, The atonement money was paid whenever a census was taken. It taking a census was was a half shekel (less than $1) per person over 20. Every life is of typically done in equal value to God. A census was usually associated with preparation for war. Only conscription in preparation for war. A census was to be taken only able-bodied men were at the command of God. counted and the purpose was to assess an army’s ability to defeat an enemy. 2. Bronze Laver - 30:17-21 By counting the money What was the purpose of the bronze laver or wash basin? Why was received in this way, it necessary? What significance does this have in the life of the believer Israel’s leaders knew how today? many soldiers they could The laver was placed between the altar and the entrance to the tent take to battle. -
Parshat Korach 5770 by Guy Izhak Austrian June 12, 2010
Parshat Korach 5770 By Guy Izhak Austrian June 12, 2010 “We will keep the victims and their families in our prayers.” So said President Barack Obama after the devastating earthquake in Haiti last January, before concluding with just such a prayer: “May God bless the people of Haiti and those working on their behalf.”1 At the same time, the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Judaism distributed a “Prayer for Haiti” by Rabbi Naomi Levy,2 and no doubt, many other Americans prayed as well. Given all of the options for taking action after a crisis in a developing country—donating, organizing and volunteering—why do the President, a rabbi in Los Angeles and ordinary people across the U.S. feel compelled to pray for the victims? What impact can these prayers have? We can find a clue in the haftarah for Parshat Korach, a passage from the First Book of Samuel.3 There, Samuel bids farewell to the Israelites, and he rebukes the people for insisting on being ruled by a king. Yet Samuel promises that though he is no longer their prophet and judge, he will continue to pray for them: “Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.”4 Samuel juxtaposes his own prayerful support of the people with his prophecy, in an earlier passage, of the king’s coming oppression. The king, he says, “yikach”—will take—your children, vineyards and olive groves, your servants and livestock.5 In contrast, Samuel asks rhetorically, “Whose ox have I taken … from whom have I taken a bribe…?” and the people affirm, “You have not taken anything from anyone.”6 Samuel suggests that a righteous leader prays for the people, while an exploitative leader such as a king will only take. -
In This Issue Links Mincha in the Beit Midrash Parshat Tzav Shabbat
Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh Newsletter Parshat Tzav 1 of 11 In This Issue Parshat Tzav Shabbat Zachor Life Events Mar 13, 2014 Let Me T ell You A Story-The Story of Harav Ben Zion Freiman zt"l Part VII "Anything Is Fine" Thoughts On Purim by HaRav Yaakov Katz HaRav Nebenzahl on Parshat Tzav "Eraticating Dedications The Amelek Within Us" Staff Dvar Torah by Rav Eytan Coren "The Power Rav Shiloni's shiur on 11 Adar II were dedicated by Ilan of Giving on Purim" (5763-64) and Devorah Weinstein in honor of their son Aryeh's Afterthoughts: Know Your 6th birthday. Haftorah T ehillim List Rav Bina's Thursday night Ohr Hachaim Shiur and Thursday Night Snack on 12 Adar II were dedicated in memory of Rav Links Bina's mother Rachel Esther bat HaRav Yaakov a"h. yna.edu YNA Kollel.com A letter to our students from Eliezer Sheffer: Ask Rav Nebenzahl Thank you for your generosity and assistance and for the participation of the students of Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh in the candlelighting ceremony Suggestion Box in memory of Israel's fallen soldiers whose gravesite is unknown. Alumni Update Form Contact Us With Gratitude and Brachot Eliezer Sheffer RavBeinishGinsburg.com Union of Synagogues in Israel Join Our List Shabbat Davening Times at the Yeshiva "IN" Shabbat Friday Night Candlelighting 5:11 PM ~~~~ Mincha in the 5:30 PM Beit Midrash Kabbalat Shabbat on the porch overlooking the Kotel The annual alumni shabbaton in Woodmere will be March 28-29, the 27th of Adar II, Parshat Tazria Shabbat HaChodesh. -
Moses -- Exodus 2:1-10 David and Goliath (I Samuel 17:1-58)
Moses -- Exodus 2:1-10 Exodus 2:1-10 New International Version (NIV) The Birth of Moses 2 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket[a] for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. 5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. 7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” 8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. -
TORAH INSIGHTS for a MODERN AGE by DAVID ROTENBERG
TORAH INSIGHTS FOR A MODERN AGE By DAVID ROTENBERG Integrated Studies Final Project Essay (MAIS 700) submitted to Dr. Mike Gismondi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts – Integrated Studies Athabasca, Alberta August, 2013 Table of Contents Abstract ………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………... 5 Essay One: Joseph vs. George – A Modern Look at Faith ………………….. 11 Essay Two: What’s in a Name? ……………………………………………….. 18 Essay Three: Talk to Strangers ………………………………………………... 23 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………… 29 References ………………………………………………………………………. 34 2 ABSTRACT Today’s Jewish community features very different demographics from previous generations’ due to large sections of the population being unaffiliated, non-observant, or “Modern Orthodox”. As a result, any efforts to reconnect the unaffiliated and/or reach these other segments of the community for spiritual direction and Torah education must be targeted in new strategic ways. This project employs both the scriptural and comedic knowledge of its author, Rabbi David Rotenberg, a semi-professional stand-up comic, to develop contemporary Torah insights targeted at a modern audience. The project focuses on lessons applicable to three of the 54 weekly portions of the Chumash (Five Books of Moses), Vayigash, Kedoshim, and Emor, each developed as an independent essay, although numerous additional relevant sources are also discussed. Each essay establishes an accepted understanding of the relevant Torah concepts, rooted in the text and traditional commentaries. This conventional thinking is then challenged with original questions, and comedic sources are introduced as a form of unorthodox commentary. The essays conclude by demonstrating a connection and revealing the newly-inspired message. 3 Through the substantive content yielded by the integration of humour sources with Biblical content, the original query – whether new Torah insights could be developed to appeal to a modern audience – can be answered in the affirmative. -
Torah on Tap Amalek! 2008/03/Finding -Amalek.Html
Torah on Tap Amalek! http://rabbiseinfeld.blogspot.com/ 2008/03/finding -amalek.html Genesis 36: And Esau dwelt in the mountain-land of Seir--Esau is 8 ח ַוֵּיֶׁשבֵּ עָׂשו ְּבַהֵּר שִעיר, ֵּעָׂשו הּוא .Edom ֱאדֹום. And these are the generations of Esau the father of a 9 ט ְּוֵּאֶׁלה תְֹּּלדֹותֵּ עָׂשו, ֲאִבי ֱאדֹום, .the Edomites in the mountain-land of Seir ְּבַהר, ֵּשִעיר. These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: the sons of 15 טו ֵּאֶׁלה, ַאלֵּּופי ְּבֵּני-ֵּעָׂשו: ְּבֵּני Eliphaz the first-born of Esau: the chief of Teman, the ֱאִלַיפז, ְּבכֹורֵּ עָׂשו--ַאלֵּּוף תיָׂמן ,chief of Omar, the chief of Zepho, the chief of Kenaz ַאלּוף אָֹׂומר, ַאלְּּוף צפֹו ַאלּוףְּקַנז. the chief of Korah, the chief of Gatam, the chief of 16 טז ַאלּוף- ַקֹּרחַאלּוף ַגְּעָׂתם, Amalek. These are the chiefs that came of Eliphaz in ַאלּוףֲ עָׂמֵּלק; ֵּאֶׁלה ַאלֵּּופי ֱאִלַיפ ז .the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah ְּבֶׁאֶׁרֱץאדֹום, ֵּאֶׁלְּה בֵּניָׂ עָׂדה. When Esau was getting old, he called in his grandson Amalek and said: "I tried to kill Jacob but was unable. Now I am entrusting you and your descendents with the important mission of annihilating Jacob's descendents -- the Jewish people. Carry out this deed for me. Be relentless and do not show mercy." (Midrashim Da’at and Hadar, summarised from Legends of the Jews volume 6 – Louis Ginzburg p.23) Exodus 17: Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in 8 ח ַוָׂיבֹּא, ֲעָׂמֵּלק; ַוִיָׂלֶׁחםִעם- .Rephidim ִיְּשָׂרֵּאל, ִבְּרִפִידם. ,And Moses said unto Joshua: 'Choose us out men 9 ט ַויֶֹּׁאמֶׁר מֹּשה ֶׁאל-ְּיֻׁהֹושַע ְּבַח ר- and go out, fight with Amalek; tomorrow I will stand ָׂלנּו ֲאָׂנִשים, ְּוֵּצאִ הָׂלֵּחם ַבֲעָׂמֵּלק; '.on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand ָׂמָׂחר, ָאנִֹּכי ִנָׂצב ַעל-רֹּאשַ הִגְּבָׂעה, ַּומֵּטה ָׂהֱאלִֹּהים, ְּבָׂיִדי.