DOCSLIB.ORG

Twelve Months Later... Continued from Page One

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Twelve Months Later... Continued from Page One ROSH HASHANA-YOM KIPPUR-SUCCOT SPECIAL EDITION THE OHR SOMAYACH TORAH MAGAZINE ON THE INTERNET • WWW.OHR.EDU SHABBAT PARSHIOT NITZAVIM-VAYELECH-HAAZINU • TISHREI 5776 - SEP. 2015 • VOL. 22 NO. 50 OTweHlve MRonNths LEater.T.. BY RABBI REUVEN LAUFFER t seems that we have come full circle yet again and we to achieve over the year and the wonderful resolutions that are now facing Rosh Hashana and another new year. If we accepted upon ourselves this time last year. I am always you are like me, that last sentence may have been read reminded of a quaint story that is told about one of the with a little twinge, even though we all know perfectly adherents of one of the greatest Chassidic Rabbis from pre- Iwell that the year only has twelve months in it. And it is not Holocaust Poland, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, known as if we don’t know that eleven and a half of those months as the “Imrei Emet”. have passed already. So why the panicked reaction? Once, one of his Chassidim was going on business to For many of us the answer is as simple as it is depressing. Paris, and, to the surprise of the Chassid the Imrei Emet You see, the whole Rosh Hashana period is not just a time asked him to bring him back a very good quality cigar. for “new year resolutions”. It is really a time for stock-taking, Despite his astonishment at the request (the Imrei Emet was for looking back and trying to gauge what it is that we have renowned for his being detached from the physical pleasures achieved over the current year, and only then to try and of the world), the Chassid agreed immediately and was filled work out what can be done to make the new year even with joy at the idea of being able to bring his revered Rebbe more successful. Better and greater than the year that has something that he needed. just slipped by us into the past. Not only was the Chassid enormously successful in his The problem is that we all know this, and yet for many of business endeavors but, never having been to Paris before, us, somehow or other we have lost sight of what we wanted he was amazed at all that he saw. In fact, he was so amazed continued on page nineteen This issue of Ohrnet is dedicated in memory of JOEL C. B RESLAUER OBM יהודה בן שמואל הכהן ז”ל Devoted Father, Husband and Scholar A strong advocate for Kiruv and Tikun HaOla m. OHRNET BEREISHET-NOACH can be found on page 22 www. 1 ohr.edu PARSHA OVERVIEW NITZAVIM Moshe and Yehoshua that after entering the Land the people n the last day of his life, Moshe gathers all the people, will be unfaithful and worship other gods. G-d will then com - young and old, lowly and exalted, men and women, pletely “hide His face”, so that it will seem that the Jewish in a final initiation. The covenant includes not only People are at the mercy of fate, hunted by all. G-d instructs Othose who are present, but even those generations yet Moshe and Yehoshua to write down a song — Ha’azinu — unborn. Moshe admonishes the people again to be extremely which will serve as “witness” against the Jewish People when vigilant against idol worship because, in spite of having wit - they sin. Moshe records the song in writing and teaches it to nessed the abominations of Egypt, there will always be the Bnei Yisrael . Moshe completes his transcription of the Torah temptation to experiment with foreign philosophies as a pre - and instructs the levi’im to place it to the side of the Holy Ark, text for immorality. Moshe describes the desolation of the so that no one will ever write a new Torah Scroll different Land of Israel which will result from failure to heed G-d’s from the original, for there will always be a reference copy. mitzvot . Descendants of that generation and foreigners alike will remark on the singular desolation of the Land and its HA’AZINU apparent inability to be sown or to produce crops. The con - lmost all of Ha’azinu is a song, written in the Torah in clusion will be apparent to all — the Jewish People have for - two parallel columns. Moshe summons the Heavens saken the One who protects them in favor of powerless idols. and the earth to stand as eternal witnesses to what will Moshe promises, however, that the people will eventually Ahappen if the Jewish People sin and do not obey the Torah. He repent after both the blessings and the curses have been ful - reminds the people to examine the history of the world and filled. However assimilated they will have become among the note how the Jewish People are rescued from obliteration in nations, eventually G-d will bring them back to Eretz Yisrael . each generation — that G-d “pulls the strings” of world events Moshe tells the people to remember that fulfilling the Torah is so that Bnei Yisrael can fulfill their destiny as His messengers in not an impossibility; rather it’s within the grasp of every Jew. the world. G-d's kindness is such that Israel should be eternal - The parsha dramatically concludes with Moshe comparing the ly grateful, not just for sustaining them in the wilderness, but Jewish People’s choice to follow the Torah to a choice for bringing them to a land of amazing abundance and for between life and death. Moshe exhorts the people to choose defeating their enemies. But this physical bounty leads the life. people to become over-indulged. Physical pleasures corrupt the morals of the people. They worship empty idols and pow - VAYELECH erless gods and indulge in all kinds of depravity. G-d will then n the last day of his life, Moshe goes from tent to tent let nations with no moral worth subjugate Israel and scatter bidding farewell to his people, encouraging them to them across the world. However, their only purpose is as a “keep the faith.” Moshe tells them that whether he rod to chastise the Jewish People. When these nations think Ois among them or not, G-d is with them. He summons that it is through their own power that they have dominated Yehoshua, and, in front of all the people, exhorts him to be Israel, G-d will remind them that they are no more than a tool strong and courageous as leader of the Jewish People. Thus, to do His will. The purpose of the Jewish People is fundamen - he strengthens Yehoshua’s status. Moshe teaches the mitzvah tal — that man should know his Creator. Neither exile nor of hakhel : Every seven years on the first of the intermediate suffering can sever the bond between G-d and His people, and days of Succot, the entire nation, including small children, is to eventually, in the final redemption this closeness will be gather at the Temple to hear the king read from the Book of restored. G-d will then turn His anger against the enemies of Devarim. The sections read deal with faithfulness to G-d, the Israel, as though they were His own enemies, showing no covenant and reward and punishment. G-d tells Moshe that mercy to the tormentors of His people. G-d then gives His his end is near, and he should summon Yehoshua to stand with last commandment to Moshe: That he should ascend Mount him in the Mishkan , where G-d will teach Yehoshua. G-d tells Nevo and be gathered there to his people. c u y k z n The Ohr Somayach Family wishes RABBI & M RS . R EUVEN LAUFFER & F AMILY a mazel tov on the bar mitzvah of their son Avraham Yitzchak. www. ohr.edu 2 PARSHA Q&A ? Nitzavim Vayelech 1. Why did Moshe gather the Jewish People together on 1. How old was Moshe when he died? the day of his death? 2. Why was Moshe unable “to go out and come in” ( 31:2 )? 2. Who are the wood-cutters and water-drawers men - 3. What happened to Moshe’s Torah knowledge on the day tioned in verse 29:10? of his death? 3. How do two parties “pass” into a covenant? 4. How did Moshe foresee the relationship between 4. What is the connection between the verse “ Atem nitzav - Yehoshua and the Elders? im ” and the curses in the previous parsha? 5. What did G-d tell Yehoshua concerning his relationship 5. Why can’t G-d disassociate himself from the Jewish with the Elders? People? 6. How often does the hakhel (assembly of the Jewish 6. How many curses were listed in Parshat Ki Tavo ? People) take place? 7. Which two leaders followed Moshe’s example and 7. Why does the Torah call the year of the hakhel the assembled the people at the end of their rule? “shemitah year”? 8. With whom did Moshe make the covenant and oath? 8. What sections of the Torah does the king read at the 9. Why did the Jewish People see only idols of wood and hakhel ? stone in Egypt? 9. In what physical location does the king read at the hakhel ? 10. What is meant by the punishment of “adding drunken - 10. Why were the men commanded to come to the gath - ness to thirst ( 29:18 )”? ering? PARSHA Q&A! Answers to This Week’s Questions! All references are to the verses and Rashi’s commentary unless otherwise stated.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshas Ki Savo September 8 TTT H EHEE B a I S Y ISROEL Mazel Tov to Mr
    Announcements בסבסבס ‘‘‘‘‘‘דדד Schedule of Services/Events Mazel Tov to Mr. and Mrs. Yonason and Chashie Spar on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Nachman Tzvi. Erev Shabbos Parshas Ki Savo September 8 TTT H EHEE B A I S Y ISROEL Mazel Tov to Mr. Lee and Rachel Gross their marriage, Mazel Tov to Dr. & Mrs. Shacharis 6:30 & 7:00 AM Mel and Sheryl Gross. Mazel Tov to the to the entire Gross and Kronman Families. Mincha 6:00 & 7:20 PM Candle Lighting 6:18– 6:25 PM & 7:19 PM SSS HABBOS O BSERVER Kiddush is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Yonason Spar in honor of Nachman Tzvi’s Bar Volume 2:Issue Number 014 Mitzvah at Torah Academy following Davening. Please wait for the Rav to make 16 Elul, 5766 Shabbos September 9 Parshas Ki Savo September 8 & 9, 2006 Kiddush. Shacharis 8:30 AM Shalosh Seudos is being sponsored by Reid and Bonny Wexler and Family in Rav’s Pirkei Avos Shiur 6:20 PM ג ' & ‘ד honor of Dikla and Matt's upcoming marriage. for Men &Women-Perek Mincha 7:05 PM Shabbos Kallah for Dikla . All women and girls are invited to celebrate at a Parshas Ki Savo Shabbos over 8:26PM Shabbos Kallah at our home, 2643 Quentin Ave. at 5:30. Do you want the Hamodia for only $59 to be delivered before Shabbos? We Sunday September 10 need 10 people to be part of a group subscription. Papers would arrive at shul Shacharis 7:00 AM & 8:00 AM before Shabbos.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshat Vayelech 5768 by Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels October 4, 2008
    Parshat Vayelech 5768 By Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels October 4, 2008 We read Parshat Vayelech this year on Shabbat Shuvah , the Shabbat of repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Fittingly, this parshah deals with sin and repentance, with becoming lost on our way and returning to our true selves. In the parshah, God foretells Israel’s future sins and their consequences, how they will turn to other gods and then be overtaken by suffering, leading God to say, “anochi haster astir panai —I will surely hide my face.” 1 The hidden face of God, the classic theological expression of the presence of suffering and evil in the world, here seems to be a response by God to the sins of Israel, a punishment for their misdeeds. The Chasidic master, Rebbe Ephraim of Sudylkow, understands this passage differently. Carefully re-reading the Hebrew , Rebbe Ephraim separates the phrase into two sections and reinterprets the implications of God’s actions. When anochi haster —the I-ness of God—is hidden through our entering the slumber of self-deception and idolatry, then astir panai —[God’s] face will be hidden. When we forget our values and our humanity, we obscure God’s holiness from the world; then God’s face, God’s true presence, is hidden from us. 2 When we pervert what is just and right through the pursuit of that which is not the true center, we cause God’s presence to disappear, not as punishment, but as consequence. The Torah explains that this turning away will occur when the people of Israel “eat their fill and grow fat and turn to other gods.” 3 It is through complacency and an absorption in wealth that Israel will lose sight of the locus of divinity and the genuine values that flow from it.
    [Show full text]
  • Speaker Materials
    Speaker Materials Partnering organizations: The Akdamut – an Aramaic preface to our Torah Reading Rabbi Gesa S. Ederberg ([email protected]) ַאְקָדּמוּת ִמִלּין ְוָשָׁריוּת שׁוָּת א Before reciting the Ten Commandments, ַאְוָלא ָשֵׁקְלָא ַהְרָמןְוּרשׁוָּת א I first ask permission and approval ְבָּבֵבי ְתֵּרי וְּתַלת ְדֶאְפַתְּח בּ ַ ְקשׁוָּת א To start with two or three stanzas in fear ְבָּבֵרְי דָבֵרי ְוָטֵרי ֲעֵדי ְלַקִשּׁישׁוָּת א Of God who creates and ever sustains. ְגּבָוּרן ָעְלִמין ֵלהּ ְוָלא ְסֵפק ְפִּרישׁוָּת א He has endless might, not to be described ְגִּויל ִאְלּוּ רִקיֵעי ְק ֵ ָי כּל חְוּרָשָׁת א Were the skies parchment, were all the reeds quills, ְדּיוֹ ִאלּוּ ַיֵמּי ְוָכל ֵמיְכִישׁוָּת א Were the seas and all waters made of ink, ָדְּיֵרי ַאְרָעא ָסְפֵרי ְוָרְשֵׁמַי רְשָׁוָת א Were all the world’s inhabitants made scribes. Akdamut – R. Gesa Ederberg Tikkun Shavuot Page 1 of 7 From Shabbat Shacharit: ִאלּוּ פִ יוּ מָ לֵא ִשׁיָרה ַכָּיּ ם. וּלְשׁו ֵוּ ִרָנּה כַּהֲמון גַּלָּיו. ְושְפתוֵתיוּ ֶשַׁבח ְכֶּמְרֲחֵבי ָ רִקיַע . וְעֵיֵיוּ ְמִאירות ַכֶּשֶּׁמ שׁ ְוַכָיֵּרַח . וְ יָדֵ יוּ פְ רוּשות כְּ ִ ְשֵׁרי ָשָׁמִי ם. ְוַרְגֵליוּ ַקלּות ָכַּאָיּלות. ֵאין אֲ ַ ְחוּ ַמְסִפּיִקי ם לְהודות לְ ה' אֱ להֵ יוּ וֵאלהֵ י ֲאבוֵתיוּ. וְּלָבֵר ֶאת ְשֶׁמ עַל ַאַחת ֵמֶאֶלף ַאְלֵפי אֲלָ ִפי ם ְוִרֵבּי ְרָבבות ְפָּעִמי ם Were our mouths filled with song as the sea, our tongues to sing endlessly like countless waves, our lips to offer limitless praise like the sky…. We would still be unable to fully express our gratitude to You, ADONAI our God and God of our ancestors... Akdamut – R. Gesa Ederberg Tikkun Shavuot Page 2 of 7 Creation of the World ֲהַדר ָמֵרי ְשַׁמָיּא ְו ַ שׁ ִלְּיט בַּיֶבְּשָׁתּ א The glorious Lord of heaven and earth, ֲהֵקים ָעְלָמא ְיִחָידאי ְוַכְבֵּשְׁהּ בַּכְבּשׁוָּת א Alone, formed the world, veiled in mystery.
    [Show full text]
  • Reading Parashat Haazinu Every Day by Rabbi David Silverberg in The
    Reading Parashat Haazinu Every Day By Rabbi David Silverberg In the Hilkhot Tefila section of his Mishneh Torah (7:13), Maimonides records different customs that existed concerning the structure of the daily morning prayer service. One custom, he writes, was to recite the shirat ha-yam – the song of praise sung by Benei Yisrael after the splitting of the Sea of Reeds (Shemot 15) – after Yishtabach, the blessing that follows Pesukei De-zimra, the daily recitation of Psalms. Nowadays, of course, virtually all observant Jews have embraced a modified version of this custom, and recite shirat ha-yam before Yishtabach, at the end of the Pesukei De-zimra section. Maimonides then records a second custom, to recite at this point shirat haazinu – the poem dictated to Moshe by God as recorded in Parashat Haazinu. This poem foresees the time when Benei Yisrael will forsake the Almighty and violate their covenant with Him, in response to which He will send them into exile, and rescue them only to defend His honor which is desecrated by His nation’s persecution. It appears that some communities in Maimonides’ time had the practice of reciting this poem each day, after Yishtabach. Maimonides adds that others recited both shirat ha-yam and shirat haazinu at this point in the prayer service. The only other Medieval source for such a custom – of reciting the poem of Haazinu each day – is the work Orchot Chayim by Rabbi Aharon of Lunel. The Orchot Chayim makes mention of this practice in the context of the seder ma’amadot, a service that was instituted to commemorate the ma’amadot, the rotation of Jews which, during the times of the Temple, would conduct special prayers and Torah readings to accompany the sacrificial offerings in the Beit Ha-mikdash.
    [Show full text]
  • PARSHA INSIGHTS by Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair
    SHABBAT PARSHAT VAERA • 3 SHVAT 5781 JANUARY 16, 2021 • VOL 28 NO.12 PARSHA INSIGHTS by Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair The Pandemic and the Endemic “…but with My Name Hashem I did not make Myself known to them” (6:3) ne of the side-effects of the COVID-19 exclaim, "For Your salvation do I long, Hashem!" pandemic is claustrophobia. Recently, I went Ostensibly, this sudden exclamation has no connection O to visit my mother (who, bli ayn hara, is more to the blessing that Yaakov is giving. On a deeper level, than half-way through her nineties), in England, and as however, this is the essence of Yaakov's blessing to Dan. the plane left the sky and we crested the white cloud cover and broke through to the blue, I had a feeling of There's a famous Midrash that compares different exhilaration that reminded me of the first time I ever kinds of Jews to the four species of Succot. The lowliest travelled in a plane. I realized that I was feeling the is the Jew who has neither Torah nor good deeds, who liberation from being cooped up like a battery hen. The is compared to the Arava — the Willow that has no psychological effects of this disease may turn out to be fruit, no taste and no aroma. Why is the lowly Arava more pervasive and long lasting than the illness itself. part of the four species? And more, why does it have its Even before the pandemic, our generation was already own special day during Succot — Hoshana Rabba? suffering from endemic low self-esteem.
    [Show full text]
  • Parshas Re'eh
    LIVING WITH THE PARSHAH 5780, PARSHAS HAAZINU By HARAV YAAKOV FEITMAN, KEHILLAS BAIS YEHUDAH TZVI There are a number of sources for the fact that our Parshah encompasses the entire Torah and all of history. Several major meforshim (Rabbeinu Saadya Gaon and Gra in Aderes Eliyahu) note that there are 613 words in the Sedra. Furthermore, the Baal Haturim characteristically points out that the second and third words of the Sedra (hashomayim va’adabeirah) also add up to 613. In fact, an entire sefer (Shirah Lechaim by Rav Chaim Perlmuter) demonstrates how each of the mitzvos is embedded in the 613 words of the Parshah. Why is this Sedra, more than all others considered the repository of the entire Torah? We might understand the answer in light of the Chidah’s (Kisei Rachamim to Maseches Sofrim 12:8) that when Klal Yisrael heard the song of Haazinu for the first time they did teshuvah m’ahavah (repented out of love for Hashem, not fear). He states that for this reason Haazinu is sung as a shirah and is repeated by Klal Yisrael many times. At first the Chidah’s statement seems very surprising since Haazinu includes some of the most fearsome warnings in the Torah. However, Haazinu also includes the ultimately soothing words (32:4) that whatever Hashem does is just and with our very best interests at heart. That may be why we look to Haazinu for solace and consolation whenever we are suffering. However, another approach may be that our Sedra includes the mandate to view history totally as the Hand of Hashem, as interpreted by our Elders: “Remember the days of old, understand the years of generation after generation.
    [Show full text]
  • Torah Portions for Shabbat & Haggim 2011
    TORAH PORTIONS FOR SHABBAT & HAGGIM 2011 – 2012 Bet Am Shalom follows the triennial cycle for Torah readings. This is the second year of the cycle; the actual verses to be chanted on each Shabbat and on certain holidays are listed below. October – 2011 Saturday 10/01 Shuvah Deuteronomy 32:1 – 52 Saturday 10/08 Yom Kippur Morning Leviticus 16:1 – 34 Numbers 29:7 – 11 Afternoon Leviticus 19:1 – 18 Thursday 10/13 Sukkot Day 1 Leviticus 23:22 – 44 Numbers 29:12 – 16 Saturday 10/15 Chol Ha-Mo’ed Exodus 33:12 – 34:26 Sukkot Numbers 29:17 – 25 Thursday 10/20 Shemini Atzeret Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12 Simchat Torah Genesis 1:1 – 2:3 Numbers 29:35 – 30:1 Saturday 10/22 Beresheet Genesis 2:4 – 4:26 Saturday 10/29 Noach / Rosh Chodesh Genesis 8:15 – 10:32 Numbers 28:9 – 15 November Saturday 11/05 Lech Lecha Genesis 14:1 – 15:21 Saturday 11/12 Vayeira Genesis 19:1 – 20:18 Saturday 11/19 Chayei Sarah Genesis 24:10 – 52 Saturday 11/26 Toldot Genesis 26:23 – 27:27 December Saturday 12/03 Vayetze Genesis 30:14 – 31:16 Saturday 12/10 Vayishlach Genesis 34:1 – 35:15 Saturday 12/17 Vayeishev Genesis 38:1 – 30 Saturday 12/24 Miketz / Chanukah Genesis 41:53 – 43:15 Numbers 7: 42 - 47 Saturday 12/31 Vayigash Genesis 45:28 – 46:27 January – 2012 Saturday 01/07 Vayechi Genesis 49:1 – 26 50:23 – 26 Saturday 01/14 Shemot Exodus 3:1 – 4:17 Saturday 01/21 Va-ayrah Exodus 7:8 – 8:15 Saturday 01/28 Bo Exodus 11:4 – 12:28 February Saturday 02/04 Beshelach / Shirah Exodus 14:15 – 16:10 Saturday 02/11 Yitro Exodus 19:1 – 20:23 Saturday 02/18 Mishpatim / Shekalim Exodus
    [Show full text]
  • Eikev Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky
    YadAvNow.com YadAvNow.com Weekly Video Series: Eikev Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky Weekly Video: Vigilantly Processing The Doctrine CLICK TO VIEW! Not Trampled As Are The Statutes CLICK TO VIEW! Assuring Cognition of G-d’s Existence CLICK TO VIEW! The MegaForce That Transforms CLICK TO VIEW! An Arsenal Of Attributes For Battle CLICK TO VIEW! 1 YadAvNow.com YadAvNow.com Weekly Video Series: Eikev Rabbi Yosef Kalatsky Is Acknowledgement of the Source Integral to the Sated or the Hungry? CLICK TO VIEW! 1. ”And you have eaten, and you are sated, and you blessing the world is all G-d’s; after the blessing will bless G-d.“ the terrestrial is released to mankind. 2. This is basis one must say Grace after eating: 3 10. 13 methods of interpretation were given at Sinai. blessings on a Torah level and a 4th which is rabbinical. 11. Kal V’chomer is one. 3. Gemara: What is the basis for the pre-blessing? 12. The logic that was employed by the Gemara to establish 4. If one acknowledges G-d when sated– definitely a basis for the pre blessing is the Kal V’chomer. when one is hungry? 13. Reb Meir Simcha of Dvinsk: If the Kal V’chomer 5. Gemara: One is not permitted to benefit from the is the basis for the pre-blessing; one’s obligation world without a blessing. should be biblical, which it is not. 6. If one did, it is as if he had benefited from 14. He explains there is a fallacy in the logical something that was consecrated.
    [Show full text]
  • Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas a Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible
    Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas.indd 1 6/8/20 6:29 PM Rabbi Jonathan Sacks JUDAISM’S LIFE-CHANGING IDEAS A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible The Phillips Family Edition Maggid Books & OU Press Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas.indd 3 6/8/20 6:29 PM The Phillips family are delighted to support the work of Rabbi Sacks. תשרי תשפ"א ,London, September 2020 Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas.indd 5 6/8/20 6:29 PM Contents Foreword: The Secret of Our Staying Power / Bari Weiss xiii Introduction: The Transformative Power of Ideas xvii Genesis Bereshit The Faith of God 3 Noaĥ The Trace of God 9 Lekh Lekha Inner-Directedness 13 Vayera The Space Between Us 17 Ĥayei Sara The World’s Oldest Man 21 Toledot Why Isaac? Why Jacob? 25 Vayetzeh Out of the Depths 31 Vayishlaĥ The Struggle of Faith 35 Vayeshev Improbable Endings and the Defeat of Despair 39 vii Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas.indd 7 6/8/20 6:29 PM Miketz Jews and Economics 45 Vayigash The First Psychotherapist 51 Vayeĥi What It Takes to Forgive 57 Exodus Shemot God Loves Those Who Argue 65 Va’era Free Will – Use It or Lose It 71 Bo The Story We Tell 77 Beshallaĥ The Longer, Shorter Road 81 Yitro The Bond of Loyalty and Love 85 Mishpatim The Power of Empathy 91 Teruma Why We Value What We Make 97 Tetzaveh Crushed for the Light 103 Ki Tissa Anger – Its Uses and Abuses 107 Vayak’hel Beyond the Self 113 Pekudei Making Space 119 viii Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas.indd 8 6/8/20 6:29 PM Leviticus Vayikra The Call 127 Tzav Giving Thanks 133 Shemini
    [Show full text]
  • Spark, the Tribe Parasha Activity Sheet That Will Help You Bring Judaism to Life in a Varied and Exciting Way
    Welcome to Spark, the Tribe Parasha activity sheet that will help you bring Judaism to life in a varied and exciting way. I’d like these activities to enthuse the children and show them how the Torah given almost 3500 years ago is still as relevant and as exciting in our lives today. Thank you for offering to run a Children’s Service, for all the hard work you put into it and for making a real difference to so many young people. The US is very proud of the numerous Children’s Services that are run every week across the UK and this would not happen without you. Spark gives you an overview of the weekly Parasha, songs, an activity, discussion questions or D’var Torah linked to the Parasha or important event that week. Every Children’s Service will be different, in terms of how many participants there are, their age range, its length and the varying abilities of the children. Please read through the document and find the activities that will best suit the needs of your group. It is advisable to read it before Shabbat in case there is some preparation that may be needed in advance. I am sure the children at your shul will benefit from Spark. Please be in touch if you have any queries, feedback or if we can be of any help. Thank you again for the work you do in enabling so many young Jews to access their heritage and traditions in such an exciting way. All it takes is a small spark of interest, to ignite a raging flame of passion for Judaism.
    [Show full text]
  • Calendar 2017-2018/5777-5778
    Calendar 2017-2018/5777-5778 SHOWCASING SOME OF THE AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE ASSOCIATED: JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION OF BALTIMORE OUR ANNUAL CAMPAIGN AT WORK o m Missionn The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore strengthens and nurtures Jewish life by engaging and supporting community partners in Greater Baltimore, Israel and around the world. b Vision m The Associated will secure the resources necessary to address the evolving landscape of Jewish life, ensuring a vibrant mcommunity for future ngenerations. 2017/2018 We like to think that when it comes to the Jewish community, we are here for each other. Every hour of every day, thanks to the generosity of you, our trustedb donors and fellow community members, The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, its agencies and programs, are here to nurture and support Jewish life in Baltimore neighborhoods and around the world. We are in Federal Hill and in Pikesville. We are in Reisterstown and Towson. And we are in all the communities in between where there are individuals and families who need a helping hand or are searching for meaningful Jewish experiences. The stories that unfold on these pages represent the scope of The Associated system’s services and highlight the people and the neighborhoods where we are making a difference. We showcase stories of inspiration and hope as well as stories of how we build strong Jewish identity for our next generation. Whether it’s connecting Jewish families living downtown, providing a “Big Sister” to help a young girl gain her self-esteem or offering a wide array of opportunities for seniors to live productive and happy lives, we strengthen Jewish community each and every day.
    [Show full text]