Tag: torah
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In Lieu of Gifts…
Sep 28th 2010
The following article by Allison Hoffman originally appeared in Tablet Magazine at http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-religion/45922/in-lieu-of-gifts/. Reposted with permission. When Jason Soll started preparing for his bar mitzvah in 2003, he had a clear goal in mind, and it wasn’t developing a deeper connection to his Judaism. What he wanted, really, was an MP4 video player. “I had ... continue reading »
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All Vows
Sep 9th 2010
Even as I contemplate the seriousness of Yom Kippur each year, I am always struck by its incredible beauty. For me, the Kol Nidre service, with its powerful repetition and haunting melodies, is both a spiritual awakening and an opportunity to enjoy the richness of our millennia-old liturgical tradition. There’s no question that Kol Nidre ... continue reading »
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D’var Torah: Chukkat
Jun 14th 2010
This week’s parsha is called Chukkat. The meaning of this word is ‘decree’ or ‘rule’, and refers to instructions – the rules of a sacrifice, specifically the rules regarding the sacrifice of the red heifer, an animal that does not exist in our world today. This sacrifice was at once unique: the animal itself was ... continue reading »
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D’var Torah: Aharai-Mot / Kedoshim
Apr 23rd 2010
This week we read in Vayikra – Leviticus – the dual-parsha Aharai-Mot / Kedoshim. The location of this week is in some ways strange and in other ways extremely apropos. The first book of the Hebrew Bible, בראשית (Genesis), gave us the foundations of our collective story – creation, ancient history, and chosen-ness vis-a-vis the ... continue reading »
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D’var Torah: Mishpatim
Feb 11th 2010
In this week’s parsha, Mishpatim, we are given a series of commandments concerning the relationship between man and man. This parsha directly follows that of Yitro, in which we received the Ten Commandments, revelation at Sinai, and experienced Hashem first hand. “Now these are the laws which you shall set before them: If you buy ... continue reading »
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Health, Nutrition & Torah: Bo
Jan 20th 2010
The Text: 12:3-5, 8-10 Speak to the whole community of Israel and say that on the tenth of this month each of them shall take a lamb to a family, a lamb to a household. But if the household is too small for a lamb, let it share one with a neighbor who dwells nearby, ... continue reading »
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Health, Nutrition & Torah: Shemot
Jan 6th 2010
The Torah, also known as the Tanakh and the Five Books of Moses, is the wellspring of Jewish social justice activism. Its passages engage advocates in the critical process of tikkun olam (healing the world) by raising provocative questions that address their role as participants in a global society. Each book is divided into sections ... continue reading »
