Title Layout

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Title Layout Friday, January 15, 2021 Starter: 1. The Torah is made up of ______ books 2. A minyan is made of how many people? 3. Jews believe God is immanent. What does this mean? 4. What is the name of the ceremony performed to end shabbat? 5. Name a type of prayer said by Jews during worship 6. What prayer is referred to as the standing prayer? 7. What is the Midrash? Learning Purpose: Have I How do I know I have achieved achieved today’s LOs? Rites of Passage these? ☺ All To explore and explain the birth ceremonies that take place in Judaism. Most To detail the symbolism within ceremony and its implication for Jewish lving Some To assess how birth ceremonies are used as an expression of Jewish beliefs about God Key terms Rituals: religious ceremonies that are performed according to a set pattern Brit Milah: ceremony of male circumcision; the removal of the foreskin for religious reasons. Mohel: a person who performs the Jewish rite of circumcision. Sandek:is a person honoured by holding the baby boy on the knees or thighs while the mohel performs the brit milah What is a ‘rite of passage’? A ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone's life, especially birth, the transition from childhood to adulthood, marriage, and death. Subtitle In what ways do people celebrate the birth of a baby? The birth of a child is seen as a good thing and therefore celebrated around the world and different traditions both in the religious and secular societies. Look at some of the examples from around the world Which ones look familiar? Have you got questions about any of these? As in all cultures, the birth of a child is an occasion for joyous celebration in Judaism. Indeed, the first commandment in the Torah is to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Orthodox or Reform? Why are rituals important? For Jews family life is very important The family is where the Jewish faith is preserved and passed on to the next generation Rites of passage are important in Judaism because they mark the movement from one phase of life to another The wider Jewish community helps families to celebrate and observe these rites of passage What are Jewish beliefs about a new baby? For Jews, a new baby is a gift from God. Children symbolise the continuation of the Jewish religion and traditions. It also fulfils the commandment in Genesis 1:28 to have children “God blessed them and God said to them, ‘Be fertile and increase, fill the earth and master it.’” There are three Jewish rituals associated with birth: naming, circumcision and the redemption of the firstborn son. Naming ceremony Nowadays it is common for both boys and girls born into Orthodox families to be blessed in the Extension: Colour code the synagogue on the first Shabbat after their birth. various ideas- Orthodox, Reform The father goes forward to recite the Torah blessing, and to ask God for the health of his wife and baby. If the baby is a girl, the father announces her name to the congregation at this point. However, a boy will be named eight days after his birth at his circumcision. In Reform synagogues both parents will take part in the ceremony, which may not necessarily happen on the first Shabbat after the child’s birth. The Brit Milah ceremony (Covenant of circumcision) If the baby is a boy, the Torah states that he must be circumcised eight days after birth, if he is well enough. This means the removal of the boy’s foreskin. God said to Abraham… “You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. And throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days… any male who is uncircumcised…shall be cut off from his kin; he has broken my covenant.” (Genesis 17:12) The Brit Milah Ceremony (Covenant of circumcision) Traditionally a close friend or relative is given the honour of placing the baby on an empty chair that symbolises the presence of the prophet Elijah. A kvater (godparent) takes the child from the mother and gives the baby to the father. He wears his tallit and tefillin, reminding him of the seriousness of this commandment. The baby is then held in the lap of a special male guest (Sandek) a role often given to the baby’s grandfather or a respected member of the synagogue congregation. The circumcision is carried out by the Mohel (a trained circumciser). The Brit Milah ceremony (Covenant of circumcision) From the start of the ceremony candles are lit by those present. It is said that when Moses was born, the room was lit up- this represents hope that the boy will grow up to be a good Jew. The boy’s father blesses his sons with the words: ‘Blessed are you Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with his mitzvot and commanded us to enter my son into the covenant of Abraham.’ The others respond, ‘Just as he has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into Torah, into marriage and into good deeds.’ A blessing is said over wine and the baby is formally named. The foreskin of the baby’s penis is removed in a simple operation that quickly heals. The family and friends then enjoy a festive meal to celebrate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0fkpHV4TxM (Brit Milah: Jewish Traditions for Welcoming a Baby Boy) Redemption of the firstborn son Some Orthodox Jews give a small amount of money 31 days after the birth of their firstborn son, to ‘redeem’ him from Temple service. The Temple in Jerusalem no longer exists, but some Orthodox parents keep up the tradition in a ceremony known as Pidyon Ha-Ben. Five silver coins are given to a Kohen: a descendent of the priests who used to work in the Temple. Prayers are also said asking that the child may ‘enter into Torah, into marriage, and into good deeds.’ This tradition comes from a command in Numbers 18:15-16 Brit Bat: Jewish Traditions for Welcoming a Baby Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFD4zrkWRB8 Watch the vide clip and read through the information on Brit bat. Use complete the task below ❑ Describe what happens to welcome a baby girl in Judaism ❑ How has this changed over time? ❑ Explain three activities which might take place in the ceremony for baby girls ❑ Why are Jewish babies given a Hebrew name? Task: In your books read through the information attached and also on the ppt and complete the tasks below. Remember to include sources of authority in your description/explanation Also include difference in the Orthodox and Reform approaches. Use the information on pages 46-47of the blue text book and page 321 and 322 of the pink if you have it at home. Naming Circumcision Redemption of the first born Create your own baby welcoming ceremony invitation Ideas to include: • What special ritual will happen? • Will there be a form of God-parents/ mentors? • Who will conduct the service? • What promises will be made to the baby? • Your invitation must be colourful and well presented https://www.pbs.org/video/religion-and-ethics- newsweekly-simchat-bat/ Feedback Exam Question Explain two ways in which Jews show their belief's about God in the birth ceremony (Your answer should refer to specific Jewish teachings or sacred texts) (5marks) Homework: Revision Go over the work we have studied so far making sure you have understood all the topics You will be having a mini assessment next lesson Topics Covered in this unit (Judaism Practices) The importance of the synagogue The interior/exterior features of the synagogue Worship in Orthodox and Reform Synagogues Shabbat at home and the synagogue Worship at home – Oral and written law Rites of passage – Birth ceremonies.
Recommended publications
  • Moses Hayim Luzzatto's Quest for Providence
    City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 10-2014 'Like Iron to a Magnet': Moses Hayim Luzzatto's Quest for Providence David Sclar Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/380 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] “Like Iron to a Magnet”: Moses Hayim Luzzatto’s Quest for Providence By David Sclar A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in History in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The City University of New York 2014 © 2014 David Sclar All Rights Reserved This Manuscript has been read and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in History in satisfaction of the Dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Prof. Jane S. Gerber _______________ ____________________________________ Date Chair of the Examining Committee Prof. Helena Rosenblatt _______________ ____________________________________ Date Executive Officer Prof. Francesca Bregoli _______________________________________ Prof. Elisheva Carlebach ________________________________________ Prof. Robert Seltzer ________________________________________ Prof. David Sorkin ________________________________________ Supervisory Committee iii Abstract “Like Iron to a Magnet”: Moses Hayim Luzzatto’s Quest for Providence by David Sclar Advisor: Prof. Jane S. Gerber This dissertation is a biographical study of Moses Hayim Luzzatto (1707–1746 or 1747). It presents the social and religious context in which Luzzatto was variously celebrated as the leader of a kabbalistic-messianic confraternity in Padua, condemned as a deviant threat by rabbis in Venice and central and eastern Europe, and accepted by the Portuguese Jewish community after relocating to Amsterdam.
    [Show full text]
  • TEMPLE ISRAEL OP HOLLYWOOD Preparing for Jewish Burial and Mourning
    TRANSITIONS & CELEBRATIONS: Jewish Life Cycle Guides E EW A TEMPLE ISRAEL OP HOLLYWOOD Preparing for Jewish Burial and Mourning Written and compiled by Rabbi John L. Rosove Temple Israel of Hollywood INTRODUCTION The death of a loved one is so often a painful and confusing time for members of the family and dear friends. It is our hope that this “Guide” will assist you in planning the funeral as well as offer helpful information on our centuries-old Jewish burial and mourning practices. Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary (“Hillside”) has served the Southern California Jewish Community for more than seven decades and we encourage you to contact them if you need assistance at the time of need or pre-need (310.641.0707 - hillsidememorial.org). CONTENTS Pre-need preparations .................................................................................. 3 Selecting a grave, arranging for family plots ................................................. 3 Contacting clergy .......................................................................................... 3 Contacting the Mortuary and arranging for the funeral ................................. 3 Preparation of the body ................................................................................ 3 Someone to watch over the body .................................................................. 3 The timing of the funeral ............................................................................... 3 The casket and dressing the deceased for burial ..........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Perspectives on Reproductive Realities by Rabbi Lori Koffman, NCJW Board Director and Chair of NCJW’S Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice Initiative
    Jewish Perspectives on Reproductive Realities By Rabbi Lori Koffman, NCJW Board Director and Chair of NCJW’s Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice Initiative A note on the content below: We acknowledge that this document invokes heavily gendered language due to the prevailing historic male voices in Jewish rabbinic and biblical perspectives, and the fact that Hebrew (the language in which these laws originated) is a gendered language. We also recognize some of these perspectives might be in contradiction with one another and with some of NCJW’s approaches to the issues of reproductive health, rights, and justice. Background Family planning has been discussed in Judaism for several thousand years. From the earliest of the ‘sages’ until today, a range of opinions has existed — opinions which can be in tension with one another and are constantly evolving. Historically these discussions have assumed that sexual intimacy happens within the framework of heterosexual marriage. A few fundamental Jewish tenets underlie any discussion of Jewish views on reproductive realities. • Protecting an existing life is paramount, even when it means a Jew must violate the most sacred laws.1 • Judaism is decidedly ‘pro-natalist,’ and strongly encourages having children. The duty of procreation is based on one of the earliest and often repeated obligations of the Torah, ‘pru u’rvu’, 2 to be ‘fruitful and multiply.’ This fundamental obligation in the Jewish tradition is technically considered only to apply to males. Of course, Jewish attitudes toward procreation have not been shaped by Jewish law alone, but have been influenced by the historic communal trauma (such as the Holocaust) and the subsequent yearning of some Jews to rebuild community through Jewish population growth.
    [Show full text]
  • Bris Or Brit Milah (Ritual Circumcision) According to Jewish Law, a Healthy Baby Boy Is Circumcised on the Eighth Day After His Birth
    Bris or Brit milah (ritual circumcision) According to Jewish law, a healthy baby boy is circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. The brit milah, the ritual ceremony of removing the foreskin which covers the glans of the penis, is a simple surgical procedure that can take place in the home or synagogue and marks the identification of a baby boy as a Jew. The ceremony is traditionally conducted by a mohel, a highly trained and skilled individual, although a rabbi in conjunction with a physician may perform the brit milah. The brit milah is a joyous occasion for the parents, relatives and friends who celebrate in this momentous event. At the brit milah, it is customary to appoint a kvater (a man) and a kvaterin (a woman), the equivalent of Jewish godparents, whose ritual role is to bring the child into the room for the circumcision. Another honor bestowed on a family member is the sandak, who is most often the baby’s paternal grandfather or great-grandfather. This individual traditionally holds the baby during the circumcision ceremony. The service involves a kiddush (prayer over wine), the circumcision, blessings, a dvar torah (a small teaching of the Torah) and the presentation of the Jewish name selected for the baby. During the brit milah, a chair is set aside for Elijah the prophet. Following the ceremony, a seudat mitzvah (celebratory meal) is available for the guests. Please take note: Formal invitations for a bris are not sent out. Typically, guests are notified by phone or email. The baby’s name is not given before the bris.
    [Show full text]
  • TRANSGENDER JEWS and HALAKHAH1 Rabbi Leonard A
    TRANSGENDER JEWS AND HALAKHAH1 Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer MD This teshuvah was adopted by the CJLS on June 7, 2017, by a vote of 11 in favor, 8 abstaining. Members voting in favor: Rabbis Aaron Alexander, Pamela Barmash, Elliot Dorff, Susan Grossman, Reuven Hammer, Jan Kaufman, Gail Labovitz, Amy Levin, Daniel Nevins, Avram Reisner, and Iscah Waldman. Members abstaining: Rabbis Noah Bickart, Baruch Frydman- Kohl, Joshua Heller, David Hoffman, Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Jonathan Lubliner, Micah Peltz, and Paul Plotkin. שאלות 1. What are the appropriate rituals for conversion to Judaism of transgender individuals? 2. What are the appropriate rituals for solemnizing a marriage in which one or both parties are transgender? 3. How is the marriage of a transgender person (which was entered into before transition) to be dissolved (after transition). 4. Are there any requirements for continuing a marriage entered into before transition after one of the partners transitions? 5. Are hormonal therapy and gender confirming surgery permissible for people with gender dysphoria? 6. Are trans men permitted to become pregnant? 7. How must healthcare professionals interact with transgender people? 8. Who should prepare the body of a transgender person for burial? 9. Are preoperative2 trans men obligated for tohorat ha-mishpahah? 10. Are preoperative trans women obligated for brit milah? 11. At what point in the process of transition is the person recognized as the new gender? 12. Is a ritual necessary to effect the transition of a trans person? The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly provides guidance in matters of halkhhah for the Conservative movement.
    [Show full text]
  • CONGREGATION BETH YESHURUN INVITATION to JUDAISM COURSE CURRICULUM – 5781 (2020 – 2021) (As of 08-17-20)
    CONGREGATION BETH YESHURUN INVITATION TO JUDAISM COURSE CURRICULUM – 5781 (2020 – 2021) (As of 08-17-20) # and Date TOPIC for 1st Hr. (9:00-10:00) [2nd Hr. (10:00-11:00) is Hebrew class] 1 Sept. 6 Conversion to Judaism - Overview [No Hebrew class] 2 Sept 13 High Holy Days and Sukkot [No Hebrew class] ⁂ Sept. 19-20 Rosh Hashanah begins Friday night Sept. 18 – Sunday night Sept. 20 ⁂ Sept. 28 Yom Kippur starts Sunday night Sept. 27 - Monday night Sept. 28 3 Sept. 29 Sukkot and the Jewish Calendar (Tuesday evening at 7:00) ⁂ Oct. 3 Sukkot begins Friday night Oct. 2 through Friday Oct. 9. Then Shemini Atzeret and Simhat Torah Friday night Oct. 9 – Sunday night Oct. 11 4 Oct. 18 Introduction to Prayers – Structure of Siddur, overview of services [Hebrew class starts this week at 10:00-11:00] 5 Oct. 25 Shabbat 6 Nov. 1 Overview of J. History, Classic J. Texts, J. Book List [visit ERJCC website] ⁂ Nov. 1 - Nov. 19 Virtual Book and Arts Festival at JCC 7 Nov. 8 Beliefs: God, Revelation, Torah, Mitzvot (cf Christianity) 8 Nov. 15 Beliefs: Life After Death/Messiah/Resurrection (cf Christianity) 9 Nov. 22 Beliefs: The Problem of Evil & Reward and Punishment (cf Christianty) 10 Dec. 6 Hanukkah (cf Christmas) ⁂ Dec. 10 - Dec. 18 Hanukkah (1st candle Dec. 10, 8th candle Dec. 17) 11 Dec. 13 Prayers: Shema & its Blessings (incl. Mezuzah/tzitzit/tefillin) 12 Dec. 20 Prayers – Amidah 13 Jan. 10 Kashrut 14 Jan. 17 Ethics – Tzedakah/Gemilut Hasadim 15 Jan. 24 Ethics – Honoring Parents/Aged, Bikur Holim 16 Jan.
    [Show full text]
  • Tallit Blessing 1
    TALLIT BLESSING 1. The whole family holds the tallit together 2. The BM grasps the ends of the atara (band at the top) and recites: ָבּ ְרוּך ָאַתּה יְיָ ֱאלֵֹֽהינוּ ֶֽמֶל ְך ָה ָעוֹלם, ֲא ֶשר ִקְדּ ָֽשׁנוּ ְבּ ִמְצ ָוֹתיו, וְִצוָּֽנוּ ְל ִה ְת ַעֵטּף ַבִּצּ ִיצת. Ba-ruch a-tah Adonai, Elo-hey-nu me-lech ha-olam a-sher kid-sha-nu b'mitz-vo-tav v'tzi-va-nu l'hit-a-teyf ba-tzi-tzit. 3. Everyone expect the BM lets go and the BM wraps the tallit around their shoulders. _________________________________________________ Translation: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to enwrap ourselves in Tzitzit. Background: When is a Tallit worn? Tallitot are worn primarily during day-time services. Evening services were excluded because of the biblical instruction to see the fringes. (“See” to the ancient Rabbis meant “see by daylight.”) Even today, however, the occasions for wearing and using a full tallit extend beyond Shaharit (morning) and Minha (afternoon) services. The habits and customs of donning a tallit are more complex than they might at first seem. Occasions for use include the following: For Liturgical Moments and Honors A tallit is worn for daily, Sabbath, and holiday morning and afternoon prayers. It is used for individual prayer, or prayer in a minyan (prayer quorum). As noted above, it is traditional to wear a tallit when called to the Torah for an aliyah (the honor of reciting blessings before and after the Torah is read).
    [Show full text]
  • From the Rabbi's Desk the Festival of Chanukah Retells the Struggle Between Traditional Judaism and the Forces of Secularism Which Seek to Engulf It
    Vol. 3, Xo. 4 December, 1966 Kislev-Tevet, 5727 From The Rabbi's Desk The Festival of Chanukah retells the struggle between traditional Judaism and the forces of secularism which seek to engulf it. The Hellenists maintained that the esthetic values of Greek philosophy were far more noble than the outdated rituals of ancient Judea, that the dicta of Aristotle ought replace the laws of Moses. The one commandment most maligned was that of circumcision. How could civilized people, aware of the perfection of the human body, agree to any operation which would alter a physical organ? In truth, many of the Hellenized Jews underwent plastic surgery to conceal their "shameful" circumcision. Similarly in our own day is the rite of circum¬ cision being questioned and rejected. All too fre¬ quently a father asks me to name his new-born son in the synagogue after a so-called brit-milah was performed by a doctor on the third or fourth day after birth. So has twentieth century America trans¬ formed a religious imperative into a mere biological operation! The rite of circumcision brands our regenerative organ with the unescapable fact of our Jewishness. It declares to the son of Abraham at birth that the obligations and privileges of his Judaism are an intrinsic element of the very origin of his being. It eloquently preaches the power of man to perfect himself and the primacy of God over every aspect of man's physical existence. But most significantly it symbolizes commitment, the kind of commitment which involves the shedding of one's blood (hatafat dam brit) for one's faith and one's God.
    [Show full text]
  • “Cliff Notes” 2021-2022 5781-5782
    Jewish Day School “Cliff Notes” 2021-2022 5781-5782 A quick run-down with need-to-know info on: • Jewish holidays • Jewish language • Jewish terms related to prayer service SOURCES WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOOKLET WAS TAKEN FROM: • www.interfaithfamily.com • Living a Jewish Life by Anita Diamant with Howard Cooper FOR MORE LEARNING, YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES: • www.reformjudaism.org • www.myjewishlearning.com • Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin • The Jewish Book of Why by Alfred J. Kolatch • The Jewish Home by Daniel B. Syme • Judaism for Dummies by Rabbi Ted Falcon and David Blatner Table of Contents ABOUT THE CALENDAR 5 JEWISH HOLIDAYS Rosh haShanah 6 Yom Kippur 7 Sukkot 8 Simchat Torah 9 Chanukah 10 Tu B’Shevat 11 Purim 12 Pesach (Passover) 13 Yom haShoah 14 Yom haAtzmaut 15 Shavuot 16 Tisha B’Av 17 Shabbat 18 TERMS TO KNOW A TO Z 20 About the calendar... JEWISH TIME- For over 2,000 years, Jews have juggled two calendars. According to the secular calendar, the date changes at midnight, the week begins on Sunday, and the year starts in the winter. According to the Hebrew calendar, the day begins at sunset, the week begins on Saturday night, and the new year is celebrated in the fall. The secular, or Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar, based on the fact that it takes 365.25 days for the earth to circle the sun. With only 365 days in a year, after four years an extra day is added to February and there is a leap year.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to Wrapping (Laying) Tefillin
    A Guide to Wrapping (Laying) Tefillin Created by Creighton J. Cohn and Jay R. Englander and provided by The Temple Israel Men’s Club 1) After putting on your tallit, get out your arm (Yad) tefillin and say: Baruch ata Ado-nai elo-heynu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu, b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’haniyach tefillin “Praised are You, Adonai our God, who rules the universe, instilling in us the holiness of mitzvot by commanding us to put on tefillin.” 2) Slide your arm tefillin up your weaker arm and tighten the loop so the box sits on the muscle of your bicep and the knot on the strap faces toward your heart. Wrap the strap once over your bicep towards you to anchor the box. 3) Wrap the strap towards you 7 times tightly, over the top of your forearm. As you wrap, count the number of wraps by using either the seven days of the week, or the verse from the Ashrei: “Potey’ach et yade’cha umas- beeah l’chol chai ratson” (7 words) then wrap the remaining strap loosely around your hand. 4) Next, hold your head (Rosh) tefillin and say: Baruch ata Ado-nai elo-heynu melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu, b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al mitzvat tefillin “Praised are you Adonai, our God who rules the universe, instilling in us the holiness of mitzvot by giving us the mitzvah of tefillin.” 5) Place the head tefillin box on your head where your hairline is/was. The knot should sit in the depression at the back of your head.
    [Show full text]
  • The Weekly Daf · World Wide Web: Our Address Is Is Available from · Fax and Mail in Israel and US-MAIL in America
    Week of 2-8 Tamuz 5757 / 7-13 July 1997 Rav Weinbach's insights, explanations and comments for the 7 pages of Talmud Tamid 26-32 studied in the course of the worldwide Daf Yomi cycle Races and Lotteries The first sacred service performed daily in the Beis Hamikdash was the ceremonial removal of some of the ashes from the altar by a single kohen. The first Mishnah in Mesechta Tamid, which deals with the regular system of service, informs us that any kohen who was interested in performing this service would purify himself by immersion in a mikveh before the arrival of the kohen in charge of delegating duties. When he arrived he would announce that anyone who had already immersed himself in anticipation of the privilege to perform this first service should come forward and participate in a lottery to choose the privileged one from amongst all who were candidates. Conflicting signals seem to emerge from this Mishnah. The initial indication is that no lottery was used to determine who would perform the service, because if a lottery would decide the matter why should an interested kohen bother with immersion before he even knew whether he would be chosen. The concluding words of the Mishnah, however, indicate that a lottery was definitely required. Two resolutions are proposed. The Sage Rava explains that even though each kohen who immersed himself realized he might lose out in the lottery, he did so in order to be immediately ready to perform the service if he indeed was privileged to be chosen.
    [Show full text]