Basic Judaism Course Copr

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Basic Judaism Course Copr ה"ב Basic Judaism Course Copr. 2009 Rabbi Noah Gradofsky Syllabus Basic Judaism Course By: Rabbi Noah Gradofsky Greetings and Overview ................................................................................................................. 3 Class Topics.................................................................................................................................... 3 Reccomended Resources ................................................................................................................ 4 Live It, Learn It............................................................................................................................... 6 On Gender Neutrality...................................................................................................................... 7 Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah.................................................................................................................... 8 Contact Information........................................................................................................................ 8 What is Prayer?............................................................................................................................... 9 Who Is Supposed To Pray?........................................................................................................... 10 Studying Judaism With Honesty and Integrity ............................................................................. 10 Why Are Women and Men Treated Differently in the Synagogue? ............................................ 11 How often do we pray and when?................................................................................................. 12 The Real Jewish Standard Time ............................................................................................... 12 All Prayers May Be Done in Any Language ................................................................................ 13 Why Do Men and Women Sit Separately in Some Synagogues? ................................................ 13 We Pray in Plural.......................................................................................................................... 13 What is a Minyan? ........................................................................................................................ 14 What Are They Mumbling?.......................................................................................................... 14 Kaddish ......................................................................................................................................... 14 The Half Kaddish...................................................................................................................... 15 The Mourner’s Kaddish ............................................................................................................ 16 The Full Kaddish (Kaddish Titkabal) ....................................................................................... 17 The Rabbi’s Kaddish................................................................................................................. 18 Rules and Practices Regarding Kaddish ................................................................................... 18 The Amidah (AKA “Shemoneh Esreh”)....................................................................................... 19 The Beginning and End of Every Amidah................................................................................ 19 The Middle Blessings of the Weekday Amidah ....................................................................... 20 The Middle Blessing of the Sabbath and Holiday Amidah ...................................................... 21 Amidah Blessings Chart ....................................................................................................... 22 Additions to the Amidah For Specific Days............................................................................. 22 The Repetition of the Amidah................................................................................................... 22 The Power of Amen.............................................................................................................. 23 Additions to the Repetition of the Amidah (Kedushah, Rabbi’s Modim, Priestly Blessing)23 Rules and Practices of Reciting the Amidah............................................................................. 24 The Shema .................................................................................................................................... 26 Blessings Which Accompany the Shema ................................................................................. 27 Rules and Customs Regarding the Reciting of Shema and Her Blessings ............................... 28 Interruption Between the Shema’s Blessings and the Amidah............................................. 29 Shacharit: The Morning Service ................................................................................................... 29 Prayers Generally Recited Before Synagogue Services. .......................................................... 29 Modeh Ani and Elohay Neshamah: Thanking God for Waking Up..................................... 29 The Blessing on the Study of Torah ..................................................................................... 30 Blessings on Putting On the Talit and Tefillin...................................................................... 30 1 ה"ב Basic Judaism Course Copr. 2009 Rabbi Noah Gradofsky Syllabus Thanking God For Our Bodily Functions............................................................................. 30 Washing of the Hands........................................................................................................... 30 Mah Tovu.............................................................................................................................. 31 Birchot Hashachar – Morning Blessings .................................................................................. 31 What is a Beracha Levatalah (Vain Blessing)?..................................................................... 32 Morning Prayers That Are Often Skipped................................................................................ 32 Akeida (The binding of Isaac) .............................................................................................. 33 Early Shema.......................................................................................................................... 33 Korbanot (Sacrifices)............................................................................................................ 33 Brayta D'rabi Yishmael - Teaching of Rabbi Yishmael .......................................................... 33 Psalm 30.................................................................................................................................... 33 Pesukei D'Zimrah - Verses of song........................................................................................... 33 The Shema and Her Blessings .................................................................................................. 34 The Amidah is recited............................................................................................................... 34 On Most Weekdays, Tachanun is Recited. ............................................................................... 34 Hallel is recited on holidays and Rosh Chodesh....................................................................... 35 The Torah is read on Mondays, Thursdays, Holidays, and Rosh Chodesh. ............................. 35 The Procedure for an Aliyah................................................................................................. 36 What is a Mi Sheberach? ...................................................................................................... 37 The Conclusion of Weekday Morning Services ....................................................................... 37 Alenu..................................................................................................................................... 38 The Continuation of the Sabbath/Holiday Morning Service .................................................... 38 Mincha: The Afternoon Service.................................................................................................... 39 Ma’ariv: The Evening Service...................................................................................................... 39 Friday Night Services ( Kabbalath Shabbat) ................................................................................. 40 Goals of This Section.................................................................................................................... 41 Sources.......................................................................................................................................... 41 The Bible....................................................................................................................................... 41 TaNa”Ch - The three Major subdivisions of the Bible............................................................. 42 Torah – The Five Books of Moses........................................................................................ 44 1) Bereshit - Genesis........................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • NOTES to the SEPTUAGINT EZEKIEL 6 Thematically Chapter 6
    NOTES TO THE SEPTUAGINT EZEKIEL 6 Thematically chapter 6 continues chapters 4–5 with its threatening predictions. From a dramatized condemnation of Jerusalem the prophet turns now to address the mountains of the surrounding land of Israel, the sites of the high places with their idolatric worship. The Septuagint (LXX) is shorter than the Masoretic Text (MT). LXX lacks the conflations of MT and of its maximizing text into which vari- ants have been incorporated. On the other hand, the trimmer text of LXX sometimes suggests it has been contracted1. Whereas in MT verses 8-9 seem to ring a hopeful note, in LXX they further develop the threatening message of the forgoing verses. The Double Name Twice in a role in verse 3, and once in v. 11, the critical editions of LXX have single kúriov where MT reads the double Name evei inda. In earlier contributions we already dealt with this phenomenon2. Here it may suffice to briefly summarise the data, adding remarks on the treatment of the topic in some newer commen- taries, and on L.J. McGregor's evaluation of the Greek evidence. In MT the double Name evei inda occurs 301 times3. It is typical for the book of Ezekiel were it is attested 217 times. In these instances, the critical editions of the Hebrew text, BHK and BHS, characterise inîda∏ as a secondary intrusion, either by commanding the reader to delete (dl) it, or by saying that it is an addition (add). The basis for this correction is the Greek text, and the suggestion that inîda∏ was inserted into the text as a help for the reader, to remind him of the fact that the “tetragram” could not be pronounced and was to be replaced by Adonay.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezekiel 35:1-36:38
    Prophecies to Edom and the Mountains of Israel - Ezekiel 35:1-36:38 Topics: Anger, Blessing, Death, Enemies, Evil, Fruit, Hatred, Heart, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Idolatry, Jealousy, Judgment, Law, Name, Obedience, Opposition, Promises, Prophecy, Punishment, Purity, Relationships, Restoration, Selfishness, Shame, Sin, Slavery, Suffering Open It 1. What examples do you know of people who took advantage of someone else’s misfortune? * 2. With what kinds of suffering do you find it difficult to empathize? Explore It 3. What did God promise to do to Mount Seir (Edom)? (35:1-4) * 4. What had the Edomites done to anger God? (35:5-6) 5. What unrighteous attitudes formed the basis for God’s judgment of Edom? (35:11) * 6. How did God intend to vindicate His name by turning the tables on Edom? (35:14-15) 7. How did God, through Ezekiel, show that He understood all that had happened to Israel at the hands of their enemies? (36:1-5) 8. What did God promise to do to Israel’s enemies in answer to their scorn? (36:6-7) 9. What changes did Ezekiel predict in the land of Israel? (36:8-12) 10. What did God’s people do while they were dwelling in the land to defile it and reap God’s judgment? (36:16-19) 11. How was God’s name slandered by the very judgment He visited on His people? (36:20-21) 12. For whose sake did God act to restore Israel and punish her enemies? (36:22-23) 13. What did God intend to prove to the other nations who had witnessed Israel’s punishment? (36:23) * 14.
    [Show full text]
  • Jeremiah Commentary
    YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE JEREMIAH BOB UTLEY PROFESSOR OF HERMENEUTICS (BIBLE INTERPRETATION) STUDY GUIDE COMMENTARY SERIES OLD TESTAMENT, VOL. 13A BIBLE LESSONS INTERNATIONAL MARSHALL, TEXAS 2012 www.BibleLessonsIntl.com www.freebiblecommentary.org Copyright ©2001 by Bible Lessons International, Marshall, Texas (Revised 2006, 2012) All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any way or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Bible Lessons International P. O. Box 1289 Marshall, TX 75671-1289 1-800-785-1005 ISBN 978-1-892691-45-3 The primary biblical text used in this commentary is: New American Standard Bible (Update, 1995) Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation P. O. Box 2279 La Habra, CA 90632-2279 The paragraph divisions and summary captions as well as selected phrases are from: 1. The New King James Version, Copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 2. The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright ©1989 by the Division of Christian Education of National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U. S. A. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 3. Today’s English Version is used by permission of the copyright owner, The American Bible Society, ©1966, 1971. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 4. The New Jerusalem Bible, copyright ©1990 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.freebiblecommentary.org The New American Standard Bible Update — 1995 Easier to read: } Passages with Old English “thee’s” and “thou’s” etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Tehillat Hashem and Other Verses Before Birkat Ha-Mazon
    301 Tehillat Hashem and Other Verses Before Birkat Ha-Mazon By: ZVI RON In this article we investigate the origin and development of saying vari- ous Psalms and selected verses from Psalms before Birkat Ha-Mazon. In particular, we will attempt to explain the practice of some Ashkenazic Jews to add Psalms 145:21, 115:18, 118:1 and 106:2 after Ps. 126 (Shir Ha-Ma‘alot) and before Birkat Ha-Mazon. Psalms 137 and 126 Before Birkat Ha-Mazon The earliest source for reciting Ps. 137 (Al Naharot Bavel) before Birkat Ha-Mazon is found in the list of practices of the Tzfat kabbalist R. Moshe Cordovero (1522–1570). There are different versions of this list, but all versions include the practice of saying Al Naharot Bavel.1 Some versions specifically note that this is to recall the destruction of the Temple,2 some versions state that the Psalm is supposed to be said at the meal, though not specifically right before Birkat Ha-Mazon,3 and some versions state that the Psalm is only said on weekdays, though no alternative Psalm is offered for Shabbat and holidays.4 Although the ex- act provenance of this list is not clear, the parts of it referring to the recitation of Ps. 137 were already popularized by 1577.5 The mystical work Seder Ha-Yom by the 16th century Tzfat kabbalist R. Moshe ben Machir was first published in 1599. He also mentions say- ing Al Naharot Bavel at a meal in order to recall the destruction of the 1 Moshe Hallamish, Kabbalah in Liturgy, Halakhah and Customs (Ramat Gan: Bar Ilan University Press, 2000), pp.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 2019-20 – HISTORICAL, MEDICAL and HALAKHIC PERSPECTIVES Second Edition Rabbi Prof
    THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC RABBI PROF. AVRAHAM STEINBERG, MD THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 2019-20 – HISTORICAL, MEDICAL AND HALAKHIC PERSPECTIVES Second Edition Rabbi Prof. Avraham Steinberg, MD Contents 1. Introduction 2 2. Historical Background 3 a. Pandemics in the past b. The Coronavirus pandemic 3. Medical Background 5 4. Specific rulings and Halakhot 7 a. General behavior and the obligation to listen to the government and experts during a plague b. Defining plague c. Prayers, fasts and charity d. Self-endangerment of the healthcare providers – doctors, nurses, lab personnel, technicians e. Self-endangerment for experimental treatment and discovering a vaccine f. Prayer with a minyan, nesiyat kapayim, Torah reading, yeshivot g. Ha'gomel Blessing h. Shabbat and festivals i. Passover j. Sefirat Ha'omer k. Rosh Hashanah l. Yom Kippur m. Purim n. Immersion in the mikvah o. Immersion of utensils p. Visiting the sick q. Circumcision r. Marriage s. Burial t. Mourning 5. Triage in treating coronavirus patients during severe shortage 32 a. Introduction b. Determining triage priority in various situations when there are insufficient resources I am greatly indebted to Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner for the English translation & to Dr. Lazar Friedman for his editorial work. 1 THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC RABBI PROF. AVRAHAM STEINBERG, MD c. Halakhic sources on determining lifesaving triage d. Halakhic guidelines on determining priority 6. Miscellaneous 40 7. Conclusion 41 1. Introduction In the modern era, the coronavirus1 pandemic2 has been the most shocking pandemic to the entire world, including experts and scientists, since the Spanish influenza pandemic 100 years ago.3 In recent decades many scientists have arrogantly claimed that in the modern and technologically advanced world there will be no more global pandemics of this sort.
    [Show full text]
  • Postgraduate English: Issue 38
    Arena Postgraduate English: Issue 38 Postgraduate English www.dur.ac.uk/postgraduate.english ISSN 1756-9761 Issue 38 Spring 2019 Editors: Aalia Ahmed and Lucia Scigliano The Author(s) of the Book of Jeremiah Francesco Arena University of Edinburgh ISSN 1756-9761 1 Arena Postgraduate English: Issue 38 The Author(s) of the Book of Jeremiah Francesco Arena University of Edinburgh Postgraduate English, Issue 38, Spring 2019 1. Biblical Prophecy, the Prophet Jeremiah and His Book In this short article, I will deal with a simple matter, namely, who wrote the book of Jeremiah, one of the major prophetic books in the Bible. As is often the case, such a straightforward question has quite an intricate answer. However, before proceeding, given the specificity of the topic (many, I am sure, will be familiar with the Bible as a collection of books, but fewer might be acquainted with the minutiae of the prophet Jeremiah and the book named after him), some introductory notes are necessary. Counting fifty-two chapters, the book of Jeremiah is the longest book ascribed by the biblical tradition to one of the so-called ‘writing prophets’.1 Traditionally, Jeremiah bears the title of ‘prophet’ (in Hebrew, nāvi), and Prophets (Hebrew, Nevi’im) is also the title for that part of the Bible that goes from the book of Joshua to that of Malachi. As a prophet, Jeremiah acts as a mediator between the divine and the humane spheres,2 and, although Hebrew prophets are sometimes involved in the prediction of future things, they are not merely foretellers.
    [Show full text]
  • Prophecy and Current Events
    SYLLABUS Prophecy and Current Events August 5………………Introduction: The Nature of Prophecy Ezekiel 38 - 39 Extra reading.………………………Ezekiel’s Temple August 12 …………………………………….………….. Daniel 7-9 August 19 ………………………………………. Jesus’ Teachings Revelation 7 Seals August 26 ………………………………. Revelation 7 Trumpets Revelation of the Antichrist/False Trinity 7 Bowls and a Wedding For this study, you will need the following tools: 1. A good Bible translation. An ESV, HCSB or NASB is preferred. In class I will be using the NASB unless otherwise stated. If a King James or New King James is used, please choose a text that is edited with the NU text notes if possible. A paraphrased Bible is not a good choice for this study. 2. A concordance or computer program with this tool that is keyed to the Bible translation you are using will be very helpful. 3. A notebook where you can record all of your findings on this topic for cross referencing in the future; the workbook is printed single sided to provide space for notes. Dr. JoLynn Gower, Executive Director Christian Resource Center [email protected] 217-493-6151 www.guardingthetruth.org 1 INTRODUCTION The Day of the Lord Prophecy is sometimes very difficult to study. Because it is hard, or we don’t even know how to begin, we frequently just don’t begin! However, God has given His Word to us for a reason. We would be wise to heed it. As we look at prophecy, it is helpful to have some insight into its nature. Prophets see events; they do not necessarily see the time between the events.
    [Show full text]
  • Ezekiel Chapter 29
    Ezekiel Chapter 29 Ezekiel 29:1 "In the tenth year, in the tenth [month], in the twelfth [day] of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," “The tenth year”: (597 B.C. is the 10th year), after Jehoiachin’s deportation. It is a year and two days after Nebuchadnezzar had come to Jerusalem (24:1-2; Kings 25:1), and 7 months before its destruction (2 Kings 35:3-8). This is the first of 7 oracles or prophecies against Egypt. This prophecy is dated a year earlier than the prophecy against Tyrus. Ezekiel 29:2 "Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:" This prophecy is directed against Egypt. It is addressed to the Pharaoh, as well as the country. “Against all Egypt”: Egypt was to fall, even though it could be pictured as a water monster (verses 3-5), a towering tree like Assyria (31:3), a young lion (32:2), and a sea monster (32: 2-8). The judgment looks ahead to (570 B.C.), when the Greeks of Cyrene defeated Pharaoh (Apries), Hophra and (568-67 B.C.), when Babylon conquered Egypt. Ezekiel 29:3 "Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself." Egypt would also be judged because her Pharaoh had made himself a god, even claiming to have created the Nile River.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Garden of Eden to the New Creation in Christ : a Theological Investigation Into the Significance and Function of the Ol
    The University of Notre Dame Australia ResearchOnline@ND Theses 2017 From the Garden of Eden to the new creation in Christ : A theological investigation into the significance and function of the Old estamentT imagery of Eden within the New Testament James Cregan The University of Notre Dame Australia Follow this and additional works at: https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses Part of the Religion Commons COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969 WARNING The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Do not remove this notice. Publication Details Cregan, J. (2017). From the Garden of Eden to the new creation in Christ : A theological investigation into the significance and function of the Old Testament imagery of Eden within the New Testament (Doctor of Philosophy (College of Philosophy and Theology)). University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/181 This dissertation/thesis is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO THE NEW CREATION IN CHRIST: A THEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE SIGNIFICANCE AND FUNCTION OF OLD TESTAMENT IMAGERY OF EDEN WITHIN THE NEW TESTAMENT. James M. Cregan A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, Australia. School of Philosophy and Theology, Fremantle. November 2017 “It is thus that the bridge of eternity does its spanning for us: from the starry heaven of the promise which arches over that moment of revelation whence sprang the river of our eternal life, into the limitless sands of the promise washed by the sea into which that river empties, the sea out of which will rise the Star of Redemption when once the earth froths over, like its flood tides, with the knowledge of the Lord.
    [Show full text]
  • Hosea 10 Fruit: What Could Yours Look Like?
    Ages 3-7 Hosea 10 Fruit: What could yours look like? Parents, we will only cover select verses from Hosea 10 today. See the older children’s page for more thorough text materials. Memory Verse Also: Practice the Minor Prophets Song Hosea 6: 3 “So let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as ​ the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea Chapter 10 Hosea 10 lists Israel’s many sins and the things God would allow in hopes of bringing about repentance​ and proper worship of Him. As a reminder from the Hosea 6 lesson, “​repentance is a big word for being sorry for doing the wrong thing. It starts with understanding that you did something wrong, and asking for forgiveness. The big part of repentance is that you don’t keep doing the wrong thing that you did. If you keep doing the bad thing - are you really sorry?​” Israel’s actions showed that they were not sorry and were not showing signs of repentance. However, stay tuned for Chapter 11, where we will see that God’s love and mercy are more powerful than Israel’s sin (and our sin as well). Hosea 10:1-2 1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he ​ built; as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 2 Their heart is false; now they must bear ​ ​ their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring and Enjoying God's Word Ezekiel 28:20
    Exploring and Enjoying God’s Word Ezekiel 28:20-26, Chapter 29 VERSES 20-24: Sidon was Tyre’s close neighbor. God proclaims judgment against this people because they rejected Him and oppressed Israel. Like all other nations who reject Him, He will pour out judgment. VERSES 25-26: In the midst of God’s proclaimed judgments against Israel, the Lord promises to regather His people and to restore them. This is a promise that God will ultimately fulfill when Jesus returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom. He is in the process of working this restoration today. The fact that we can see the physical restoration of Israel happening before our eyes shows us that Jesus’ return is drawing near! CHAPTER 29:1-9: God now uses Ezekiel to proclaim judgment against Egypt and its leader, the pharaoh. While Israel was able to flee to Egypt for survival when Joseph served Pharaoh, Egypt also had several leaders who were oppressive to the Jewish people. King Shishak of Egypt raided the Temple in 926 BC (1 Kings 14:25-26). When Babylon came to attack Judah, Judah’s Kings reached out to Egypt for help but did not receive any assistance. In fact, righteous king Josiah was killed by Neco II when he tried to stop the Egyptians. God is going to avenge the Egyptians’ spurning of Him and their oppression of Israel. VERSES 10-16: God proclaims that Egypt would be invaded and its people scattered for forty years. After they are allowed to return to the land, Egypt would be a shadow of its former self.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Forlorn Writings of a Forgotten Ashkenazi Prophet NOTE R
    T HE J EWISH Q UARTERLY R EVIEW, Vol. 95, No. 1 (Winter 2005) 183–196 Some Forlorn Writings of a Forgotten Ashkenazi Prophet NOTE R. Nehemiah ben Shlomo ha-Navi’ MOSHE IDEL O WING TO RECENT STUDIES on Haside Ashkenaz, especially by Jo- seph Dan, and the publication of some of the Ashkenazi material from manuscripts, we have a better picture of the literature produced from the early decades of the thirteenth century.1 Of paramount importance to this literature is the distinction Dan drew between different schools emerging out of the Ashkenazi masters. He proposed to distinguish between the main line represented by the writings of the Kalonymite school of R. Yehudah he-Hasid and R. Eleazar of Worms, on the one hand, and the school, which he described as the ‘‘school of the special cherub,’’ on the other.2 In addition, he drew attention to, and eventually printed and ana- lyzed, material that did not belong to either of the two schools and is found in anonymous manuscripts.3 More recently, in an innovative article dealing with the occurrence of the syntagm ‘‘Yeshu‘a Sar ha-panim,’’ Yehudah Liebes has noted dispa- rate anonymous writings found mostly in manuscripts, which belong to an Ashkenazi school, that he called the ‘‘circle of Sefer ha-h. eshek.’’4 He 1. See especially Dan’s The Esoteric Theology of Ashkenazi Hasidism (Hebrew; Jerusalem, 1968); Studies in Ashkenazi-Hasidic Literature (Hebrew; Ramat Gan, 1975); and The ‘‘Unique Cherub’’ Circle (Tu¨ bingen, 1999). 2. Dan, Esoteric Theology, 156–63; Studies, 89–111; The ‘‘Unique Cherub’’ Circle, passim.
    [Show full text]