Jerusalem: The City of Truth and Peace
|
|
- Miranda Sherman
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Jerusalem: The City of Truth and Peace שבת פרשת וישב Bendavid, Derasha Delivered by Rav Eitan קהילת שבטי ישראל, רעננה 1 President Donald Trump s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the official capital of the State of Israel comes at an auspicious time one week before we celebrate Chanukah, a holiday which celebrates the rededication of Jerusalem. How are we supposed to respond to this announcement - with open arms or skepticism? Is this a significant historical milestone or a meaningless political statement that is only going to spur further violence in the region? For the Jewish people, the idea that Jerusalem is our capital is not up for discussion or debate. We debate many things in our religious tradition. The centrality and holiness of Jerusalem is not one of them. Jerusalem is close to us as our right hand - אם אשכחך ירושלים תשכח ימיני If I forget thee o Jerusalem, let my right-hand wither. It is an integral part of our Jewish identity. In this sense, Trump was simply affirming something that we already know for 3000 years that Jerusalem is at the heart of Jewish existence. This fact is not only obvious to Jews who are religiously observant. It is also the official position of the State of Israel dating back to the founding of the state. The following document from the first official Knesset captures this perspective. In this statement, David Ben Gurion writes in his memoirs that there was no need for Knesset to ever debate the status of Jerusalem or officially affirm its status as the capital of Israel. This work was already accomplished for us by King David 3000 years ago. Any attempt to deny the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel is not only a denial of indisputable historical fact, but it is also veiled way of delegitimizing the State of Israel. And this is the story of Chanukah as well! 1 This written version of the derasha is substantively the same one I delivered on Shabbat with some stylistic and structural changes. 1
2 The Maccabim fought for Jewish sovereignty from the Greek Hellenizers. But more importantly they sought to gain the right to practice their Judaism as they saw fit. The Greeks denied the Jewish people their right to religious freedom. According to historical sources the Greeks set up a temple to Zeus on the Temple Mount, and forbade the observance of Shabbat, the laws of kashrut, and the performance of Brit Milah. The Study of Torah was also outlawed. The Greek edicts of Antiochus in 168 BCE were the first instances of religious persecution in our history. It was an attempt to rip apart Jewish identity. For the Jewish people, Shabbat, kashrut, and Torah are integral parts of our identity. Stripped of these things, we are bereft and identity-less. Torah to a Jew is like oxygen. Depriving the Jewish people of Shabbat and Torah is like spiritual death through suffocation. The following story about Rabbi Akiva s response to the Hadrianic persecutions of the 2 nd century captures this sentiment. The Sages taught: One time, after the bar Kokheva rebellion, the evil empire of Rome decreed that Israel may not engage in the study and practice of Torah. Pappos ben Yehuda came and found Rabbi Akiva, who was convening assemblies in public and engaging in Torah study. Pappos said to him: Akiva, are you not afraid of the empire? Rabbi Akiva answered him: I will relate a parable. To what can this be compared? It is like a fox walking along a riverbank when he sees fish gathering and fleeing from place to place. The fox said to them: From what are you fleeing? They said to him: We are fleeing from the nets that people cast upon us. He said to them: Do you wish to come up onto dry land, and we will reside together just as my ancestors resided with your ancestors? The fish said to him: You are the one of whom they say, he is the cleverest of animals? You are not clever; you are a fool. If we are afraid in the water, our natural habitat which gives us life, then in a habitat that causes our death, all the more so. The moral is: So too, we Jews, now that we sit and engage in Torah study, about which it is written: For that is your life, and the length of your days (Deuteronomy 30:20), we fear the empire to this extent; if we proceed to sit idle from תלמוד בבלי מסכת ברכות סא. תנו רבנן: פעם אחת גזרה מלכות הרשעה שלא יעסקו ישראל בתורה; בא פפוס בן יהודה ומצאו לרבי עקיבא שהיה מקהיל קהלות ברבים ועוסק בתורה, אמר ליה: עקיבא! אי אתה מתירא מפני מלכות הרשעה? אמר לו: אמשול לך משל למה הדבר דומה: לשועל שהיה מהלך על גב הנהר וראה דגים שהיו מתקבצים ממקום למקום; אמר להם: מפני מה אתם בורחים? אמרו לו: מפני רשתות שמביאין עלינו בני אדם! אמר להם: רצונכם שתעלו ליבשה ונדור אני ואתם כשם שדרו אבותי עם אבותיכם? אמרו לו: אתה הוא שאומרים עליך פקח שבחיות? לא פקח אתה אלא טפש אתה: ומה במקום חיותנו אנו מתיראין, במקום מיתתנו על אחת כמה וכמה! אף אנחנו: עכשיו שאנו יושבים ועוסקים בתורה, שכתוב בה )דברים ל כ( ]לאהבה את ה' אלקיך לשמע בקלו ולדבקה בו[ כי הוא חייך ואורך ימיך ]לשבת על האדמה אשר נשבע ה' לאבתיך לאברהם ליצחק וליעקב לתת להם[ כך, אם אנו הולכים ומבטלים ממנה על אחת כמה וכמה! 2
3 its study, as its abandonment is the habitat that causes our death, all the more so will we fear the empire. אמרו: לא היו ימים מועטים עד שתפסוהו לרבי עקיבא וחבשוהו בבית האסורים... Just like Torah and mitzvot, Shabbat and Brit Milah are a core part of our identity, the same is true of Jerusalem. Depriving us of Torah and Mitzvot, or our connection to Jerusalem is depriving us of our right to exist. This is why the Maccabees were forced to fight for Jerusalem over 2000 years ago, this is why we will never give up on our historical and religious right to this city, and this is why we welcome Trump s decision to affirm the most basic truth of Jewish history that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Unfortunately, our narrative, a narrative grounded in irrefutable historical fact, has been altogether ignored by the mainstream media and Western countries this last week as they reported on Trump s announcement. I am not one to automatically disqualify mainstream news media as being fake news, even if they do at times have their biases; for the most part they follow pretty rigorous journalistic standards. However, I found how this issue is being reported to be deeply disturbing. Media outlets have been reporting something along the following lines, "Donald Trump to declare Jerusalem as Israel's Capital, violence likely to follow." While we know that the Arab world is not so happy with Trump s decision, why does the mainstream media assume that violence is sure to happen? I believe that Arabs and Palestinians are human beings who have the ability and the responsibility to exercise moral agency. They might disagree with a political decision, but that does not justify violence! I think reporting the events this way seems to provides political cover for anyone to engage in violence and if/when they do, everyone can look back and say, "hey, told you so." As is often the case, the Arabs are judged according to a different standard than we are - If they feel rage, well then, violence is justified. This perspective infantilizes the Arabs, rather than demanding that they grow up and take responsibility for their children and future. If an intifada were, God forbid, to break out now as Hamas and other organizations (and even the PA are calling for), I believe the media will have been responsible for helping to incite it, by playing into this narrative of victimhood that has defined Palestinian and Arab identity for seventy years. A Day of Rage was declared throughout the Middle East this last Friday over Trump s decision. 3
4 Where has the rage been for the last six years of a brutal civil war in Syria in which Muslims have brutally targeted other Muslims? Where was the rage when over 300 people were killed by other Muslims in Sinai? I don t buy it. Then there are those who say this decision my Trump has destroyed prospects for peace. This is the end of the peace process, we are being told. Besides for the fact that one can make a very compelling argument that the peace process came to a halting screech when Yasir Arafat orchestrated and unleashed the second Intifada, why do we need to deny a basic historical fact (that Jerusalem is Israel s capital) in order to make peace? I think the opposite is true. When the Arab world and Palestinians are able to recognize the basic truths of Jewish history - that Two temples once stood on the current location of the Dome of the Rock, and that the Maccabees fought for and defended the Jewish right to practice their own religion against Greek oppression in 168 B.C.E, then peace might be a little bit more achievable. Truth is a precondition for peace, not an obstacle towards its fulfillment. As a Jew, it is very frustrating and even painful to sit and watch the world embrace a Palestinian/Arab narrative that does not even consider the basic facts of Jewish history. But we can also find consolation in the fact that this is what it means to be part of Jewish destiny. It means that we must embrace our unique Divine covenant with God and not look for affirmation or approval from the nations of the world. We are an עם לבדד ישכון a nation that dwells alone. Like Jacob who struggled with the Angel alone in the night, we too must engage in that struggle alone, in the dark of the night. But, we must stand tall, and proud, and not panic at the hypocrisy and cowardice of the nations of the world. The last question I would like to address is the nature of God s intervention in the world. 2 I do not claim to know God s thoughts or to know His plans. We do know that God works in mysterious ways. We know that God can intervene in the world through the actions of other human beings 1) In some cases, God influences events through human actors whom we have great admiration for great heroes of world History. 2 This idea of God intervening through human activity and the example of the Ish is taken from Rav Soloveitchik s book on Chanukah. He speaks about this idea in a very different context, but I have adapted it for my own purposes. 4
5 Winston Churchill, an ardent Zionist and supporter of the Jewish State is one such example. Harry Truman s fateful decision to embrace the State of Israel might be another example. 2) In other cases, God steers history through nondescript figures such as the איש who Yosef encounters while searching for his brothers by Shechem in this week s parsha בראשית פרק ל"ז וימצאו איש והנה טעה בשדה וישאלהו האיש לאמר מה תבקש.ויאמר את אחי אנכי מבקש We have no idea who this איש is. According to the Midrash, he was the Angel Gabriel, but surely, history would have unfolded differently had Yosef not encountered this mysterious man who then lead him to his brothers. 3) Finally, God also can work through terribly wicked and evil men such as Pharaoh, who became a tool in order to bring about the Exodus from Egypt. It is in this vein that Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik understands the role of the United Nations in the formation of the State of Israel. In his lectures on the religious significance of the State of Israel, Rav Joseph Soloveitchik, argued that with the creation of the State of Israel and Israel s military victories, God has been knocking on the door, to bring about miraculous changes on the behalf of the Jewish people. In the following excerpt, Rav Soloveitchik speaks about the role of the UN in this regard. Kol Dodi Dofek Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik 3 Eight years ago, in the midst of a night of the terrors of Majdanek, Treblinka, and Buchenwald; in a night of gas chambers and crematoria. The Almighty, who was hiding in His splendid sanctum, suddenly appeared and began to beckon at the tent of the Lover, who tossed and turned on her bed beset by convulsions and the agonies of hell. Because of the beating and knocking at the door of the mournful Lover, the State of Israel was born. How many times did the Beloved knock on the door of the Lover? It appears to me that we can count at least six knocks. First, the knock of the Beloved was heard in the political arena. From the point of view of international relations, no one will deny that the rebirth of the State of Israel, in a political sense, was an almost supernatural occurrence. Both Russia and the Western nations supported the establishment of the State of Israel. This was perhaps the one resolution on which East and West concurred [during the Cold War era]. I am inclined to believe that the United Nations was especially created for this end for the sake of fulfilling the mission that Divine Providence had placed upon it. It appears to me that one cannot point to any other concrete accomplishment on the part of the United Nations. 3 This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the religious significance of the State of Israel. Interestingly, while Rav Soloveitchik embraces the miracle of the State of Israel, he is careful not to presume that we are living in Messianic times. Thank you to my teacher, Rabbi Shaul Robinson for pointing out this source to me in our discussions about this issue. 5
6 Our Rabbis of blessed memory already expressed this view: At times rain falls on account of one individual and for one blade of grass (Breishit Rabbah 66:2). I do not know who the representatives of the press, with their human eyes, saw to be the chairman in that fateful session of the General Assembly in which the creation of the State of Israel was decided, but he who looked carefully with his spiritual eye saw the true Chairman who conducted the proceedings the Beloved. He knocked with his gavel on the lectern. Do we not interpret the passage On that night the king could not sleep (Esther 6:1) as meaning that the King of the Universe could not sleep? If Ahasuerus alone had been sleepless, 4 the matter would not have been at all important and salvation would not have arisen on that night. If, however, the King, the Master of the Universe, could not sleep, as it were, redemption would be born. If just anyone were to have opened the session of the United Nations, the State of Israel would not have been born. But it was the Beloved who rapped on the Chairman s lectern, and the miracle materialized. Listen! My Beloved Knocks! According the Rav Soloveitchik, the United Nations might have been formed for the singular purpose of voting for the creation of a state on November 29, 1947! How should we view events in our own time? Without doubt, Trump is no heroic figure like Winston Churchill, 5 but the statement that he made is true and the world needs to hear this message and who knows - perhaps this is all part of God s plan? And so, we must be thankful for Trump s commitment to the Jewish people and the truths of Jewish history. And there is a real irony here about how this situation is unfolding You have the first post-truth president, a president who will often twist or deny any fact depending on whether it suits him, offering a statement to the Arab world who are the ultimate deniers of historical fact (especially with regards to Jewish History and our connection to the Land of Israel). And what is he telling them about? The most basic fact of Jewish history - that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people! And he is doing this as a mouthpiece of the Jewish people and the State of Israel - for the people who have a historical memory like no other people! For a people who value the concept of זכור as a religious command! That s an interesting twist of fate and perhaps God s hand knocking at the door. Let us hope and pray that doing the right thing will not lead to violence or destruction but to the ultimate rebuilding of Jerusalem. 4 Rav Soloveitchik s reference to King Achashveirosh is interesting for our own context. במצב שלנו האם טראומפ יותר דומה לדמותו של אחשורוש או המן? צריך עיון 5 I ll even go further, I believe Trump is responsible for emboldening White Supremacists and Neo-Nazi groups in America today, and perhaps in Europe as well. These people are no friends of the Jewish people. 6
7 In our tradition, Jerusalem is a place that symbolizes many things. It is meant to be a place of,שלום hence its name. It is also meant to be a city of truth as the prophet Zechariah prophesizes זכריה ח ג כ ה אמ ר י הו ה ש ב ת י א ל צ יו ן ו ש כ נ ת י ב תו ך י ר וש ל ם ו נ ק ר אה י ר וש ל ם ע יר ה א מ ת ו ה ר י הו ה צ ב או ת ה ר ה ק ד ש. It is my belief that there is no contradiction between these two things: When אמת (the אמת of history) rings forth from,ירושלים then perhaps שלום might as well 7
1. What is Jewish Learning?
1. PURPOSES Lesson 1: TEXTS Text 1 Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 61b [Midrash Compilation of teachings of 3-6 th century scholars in Babylonia (Amoraim); final redaction in the 6-7 th centuries] Our Rabbis
More informationA lot of the time when people think about Shabbat they focus very heavily on the things they CAN T do.
A lot of the time when people think about Shabbat they focus very heavily on the things they CAN T do. No cell phones. No driving. No shopping. No TV. It s not so easy to stop doing these things for a
More informationGlobal Day of Jewish Learning
Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide Loving the Trees (Elementary
More informationThe Promised Land. Overview. What this booklet covers:
The Promised Land Overview What this booklet covers: o Concept of the Promised Land o The Covenant with Abraham as the origin of belief in The Promised Land o The significance of the Covenant with Abraham
More informationב "ה. ABC s of Judaism. Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice. June 2007 Tammuz 5767 Jewish Educational Institute Chabad Brisbane
ב "ה ABC s of Judaism Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice June 2007 Tammuz 5767 Jewish Educational Institute Chabad Brisbane ABC s of Judaism Fundamentals of Jewish Thought and Practice What we
More informationTHOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: VAYECHI: WHAT S IN GOD S NAME?
ב) ה) THOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: VAYECHI: WHAT S IN GOD S NAME? Gavriel Z. Bellino January 6, 2016 Exodus 6 (2) And Elohim spoke unto Moses, and said unto him: 'I am YHWH; (3) and I appeared unto Abraham,
More informationM A K I N G N E G A T I V E S P O S I T I V E
M A K I N G N E G A T I V E S P O S I T I V E This session looks at a group of brachot and investigates why some are written in the negative form and only one is written in the positive. What is different
More informationeriktology The Writings Book of Ecclesiastes [1]
eriktology The Writings Book of Ecclesiastes [1] [2] FOREWORD It should be noted when using this workbook, that we ( Eric, Lee, James, and a host of enthusiastic encouragers ) are not making a statement
More informationRoot Source Presents. Blood Moons God s Gift to Jews
Root Source Presents Blood Moons God s Gift to Jews 20 April 2015 Bob O Dell bob@root-source.com root-source.com @ History of the Blood Moons Story of My Involvement A Gift to Jews? Surprise! History of
More informationEsther in Art and Text: A Role Reversal Dr. Erica Brown. Chapter Six:
Esther in Art and Text: A Role Reversal Dr. Erica Brown Chapter Six: ב ל י ל ה ה ה וא, נ ד ד ה ש נ ת ה מ ל ך; ו י אמ ר, ל ה ב יא א ת- ס פ ר ה ז כ ר נ ות ד ב ר י ה י מ ים, ו י ה י ו נ ק ר א ים, ל פ נ י
More informationeriktology Torah Workbook Bereshiyt / Genesis [1]
eriktology Torah Workbook Bereshiyt / Genesis [1] [2] [3] FOREWORD It should be noted when using this workbook, that we ( Eric, Lee, James, and a host of enthusiastic encouragers ) are not making a statement
More informationJacob s Return to Canaan
READING HEBREW Jacob s Return to Canaan IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while reading cattle,
More informationJacob and the Blessings
READING HEBREW Jacob and the Blessings IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while reading year.
More informationUntapped Potential Parshat Noach 5776 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind
Untapped Potential Parshat Noach 5776 Rabbi Dovid Zirkind I Charles Duhigg s 2012 work, The Power of Habit, has a chapter dedicated to the skills and confidence Starbucks instills in each of its nearly
More informationLIKUTEY MOHARAN #206 1
43 LIKUTEY MOHARAN #206 LIKUTEY MOHARAN #206 1 Taiti K seh Ovaid (I have strayed like a lost sheep); seek out Your servant [for I have not forgotten Your commandments]. 2 (Psalms 119:176) T here is a great
More informationGod s Calling of Abram
READING HEBREW God s Calling of Abram IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while reading dwelling,
More informationALEPH-TAU Hebrew School Lesson 204 (Nouns & Verbs-Masculine)
Each chapter from now on includes a vocabulary list. Each word in the vocabulary lists has been selected because it appears frequently in the Bible. Memorize the vocabulary words. Vocabulary * 1 ז כ ר
More informationHumanity s Downfall and Curses
READING HEBREW Humanity s Downfall and Curses IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while reading
More informationJehovah Yahweh I Am LORD. Exodus 3:13-15
Jehovah Yahweh I Am LORD Exodus 3:13-15 Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall
More informationכ"ג אלול תשע"ו - 26 ספטמבר, 2016 Skills Worksheet #2
קריאה #1: Skill בראשית פרק כג #2 Chumash Skills Sheet Assignment: Each member of your חברותא should practice reading the פרק to each other. Make sure you are paying attention to each other, noticing and
More informationDavid's lament over Saul and Jonathan G's full text analysis and performance decisions
David's lament over Saul and Jonathan G's full text analysis and performance decisions יז ו י ק נ ן ד ו ד, א ת-ה ק ינ ה ה ז את, ע ל-ש א ול, ו ע ל-י הו נ ת ן ב נו. 17 And David lamented with this lamentation
More informationSEEDS OF GREATNESS MINING THROUGH THE STORY OF MOSHE S CHILDHOOD
Anatomy ofa l eader: them oshestory SEEDS OF GREATNESS MINING THROUGH THE STORY OF MOSHE S CHILDHOOD FOR LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP ש מ ות EXODUS CHAPTER 2 א ו י ל ך א י ש, מ ב ית ל ו י; ו י ק ח, א ת-ב ת-ל
More informationVAYAKHEL. Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide to Parshat Vayakhel!
VAYAKHEL Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide to Parshat Vayakhel! Getting to Thirty Nine What does work mean to you? Does it mean earning a paycheck? Breaking a sweat? As most of us know, the Torah prohibits
More informationGlobal Day of Jewish Learning
Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide The Power of Planting: Appreciating
More informationJACOB'S CHOICE IN GENESIS 25:19 28:9
JACOB'S CHOICE IN GENESIS 25:19 28:9 A major theme of Parshat Toldot (Gen. 25:19-28:9) is the development of the family of Isaac and Rebekah. These passages cover the birth of the twins, Esau and Jacob;
More informationGCSE topic of SHABBAT. Shabbat. What you need to know (according to the syllabus)
Shabbat What you need to know (according to the syllabus) Origins & importance of Shabbat How Shabbat is celebrated including the significance of the mitzvot and traditions connected to Shabbat including
More informationAbraham s Ultimate Test
READING HEBREW Abraham s Ultimate Test IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while reading (pronoun
More informationPARSHAT KEDOSHIM. Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide to Parshat Kedoshim! Love your neighbor as yourself
PARSHAT KEDOSHIM Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide to Parshat Kedoshim! The Great Principle Torat Kohanim 1, a midrash on the Book of Leviticus, records that Rabbi Akiva was once asked, what is the
More informationParshas Vayigash. It s for t e Best. Upon meeting Pharoh for the first time, Yakov and Pharoh have this conversation:
Parshas Vayigash It s for t e Best Upon meeting Pharoh for the first time, Yakov and Pharoh have this conversation: ו י אמ ר פ ר ע ה, א ל-י ע ק ב: כ מ ה, י מ י ש נ י ח י י. ו י אמ ר י ע ק ב, א ל-פ ר ע
More informationOctober 21, Marheshvan 5778 HIR The Bayit Steven Exler Lessons from Babel: Language, Coexistence, and Speaking Hebrew
October 21, 2017 1 Marheshvan 5778 HIR The Bayit Steven Exler Lessons from Babel: Language, Coexistence, and Speaking Hebrew The English-speaking beginner s Hebrew student inevitably encounters a strange
More informationשנה טובה ומתוקה! SHANA TOVA U'METUKA יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלוהינו ואלוהי אבותינו ואמותינו, שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה כדבש.
SHANA TOVA U'METUKA שנה טובה ומתוקה! יהי רצון מלפניך ה' אלוהינו ואלוהי אבותינו ואמותינו, שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה כדבש. MASORTI OLAMI MERCAZ OLAMI Enriching Masorti Jewish lives around the world The
More informationPEKUDEI. Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide to Parshat Pekudei!
PEKUDEI Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide to Parshat Pekudei! All About that Mishkan If you ve been paying attention to the parshas that we ve been reading for the past four weeks, you probably noticed
More informationMargalit Bergman, Research Assistant in Life Sciences At Bar Ilan U, Tel Aviv As reported by The Jerusalem Post s Ben Hartman, on Wednesday night, Margalit Bergman had been eating at the Benedict restaurant
More informationInterrogatives. Interrogative pronouns and adverbs are words that are used to introduce questions. They are not inflected for gender or number.
1 Interrogative pronouns and adverbs are words that are used to introduce questions. They are not inflected for gender or number. 2 As a result of their nature, interrogatives indicate direct speech. Because
More informationCongregation B nai Torah Olympia - D var Torah Parashat Shemini
Today s Parasha, Shemini, begins with great exultation, but quickly leads to tragedy in one of the most difficult sections of Torah. To set the stage, we read (Lev. 9:23-4) of the Inaugural Offerings brought
More informationIsrael s Sons and Joseph in Egypt
READING HEBREW Israel s Sons and Joseph in Egypt IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while
More informationGlobal Day of Jewish Learning
Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide Planting for the Future Written
More informationBereshit / Exodus 18:1-20:23, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6, Matthew 6:1-8:1. Parashat Yitro
Bereshit / Exodus 18:1-20:23, Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6, Matthew 6:1-8:1 Hearing from God Parashat Yitro This weeks reading is from Parashat Yitro (Shemot / Exodus 18:1-20:23), the Scriptures tell us Yitro
More informationShemot Exodus (Exodo) 1:1-6:1
Shemot Exodus (Exodo) 1:1-6:1 Now these [are] the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah His Will 5 Judges (Jueces)
More informationIntroduction to Hebrew. Session 7: Verb Tense Complete
Introduction to Hebrew Session 7: Verb Tense Complete Session 7: Verb Tense Complete A verb is an action word, and verbs are the heart and foundation of any language. Hebrew verbs use a simple three-letter
More informationBO: THE PURPOSE OF TEPHILLIN (& ALL MIZVOT)
BO: THE PURPOSE OF TEPHILLIN (& ALL MIZVOT) Gavriel Z. Bellino January 13, 2016 Exodus 13 16 And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes; for by strength of hand the
More informationGlobal Day of Jewish Learning
Global Day of Jewish Learning Curriculum Under the Same Sky: The Earth is Full of Your Creations www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide Ruler, Steward, Servant: Written
More information1. The prophecy of Haggai: Greater will be the honor of this last. Haggai s will that the second Temple indeed be the last (eternal) Temple
Brit Milah Yaakobi Family 24 Kislev 5774 (Notes taken during class, not reviewed nor edited by Harav Ginsburgh; additional footnotes provided after the class by Harav Ginsburgh) 1. The prophecy of Haggai:
More informationA Hebrew Manuscript of the Book of Revelation British Library, MS Sloane 273. Transcribed and Translated by Nehemia Gordon
A Hebrew Manuscript of the Book of Revelation British Library, MS Sloane 273 Transcribed and Translated by Nehemia Gordon www.nehemiaswall.com [1r] 1 [1v] The Holy Revelation of Yochanan God speaking the
More informationIs Forgiveness Possible? Kol Nidrei 5768 (2007) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel
Is Forgiveness Possible? Kol Nidrei 5768 (2007) R. Yonatan Cohen, Congregation Beth Israel A number of years ago I worked as a chaplain at an elderly home in Harlem. One morning I noticed a man in his
More informationA Presentation of Partners in Torah & The Kohelet Foundation
A Presentation of Partners in Torah & The Kohelet Foundation introduction NOTE source material scenario discussion question Introduction: ittle white lies. They re not always little and they re not always
More informationINTRODUCTION TO KABBALAH Dr Tali Loewenthal
ב"ה SOUTH HAMPSTEAD SYNAGOGUE ב"ה INTRODUCTION TO KABBALAH Dr Tali Loewenthal Director, Chabad Research Unit Lecturer in Jewish Spirituality UCL 2 nd Lecture OUTLINE OF COURSE (21/02) 1 History of the
More informationWhich Way Did They Go?
Direction Sheet: Leader Participants will chart the route that the Israelites took on their journey out of Egypt. There are two sets of directions available. The travelogue given in Shemot (Exodus) gives
More informationTJJ 2012 Eternal Nation
Eternal Nation TJJ 2012 JE WISH IDENT ITY The Jew has always been a people with definite racial characteristics and never a religion. -Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf) WHAT IS JUDAISM? A RACE? A RELIGION? A PEOPLE?
More informationסדר סעודה וברכותיה ה א ר ץ. the various kinds of nourishment. Blessed are You, the Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates. fruit of the vine.
Grace after Meals 3 BLESSINGS over FOOD OR DRINK סדר סעודה וברכותיה 2 On washing hands before eating bread: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has made us holy through His commandments,
More informationROLE MODELS JOLT 2014
ROLE MODELS JOLT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM 2014 R O L E M O D E L S ROLE MODEL, HERO, INSPIRATION Who is your?. Role model Hero Inspiration Who do you want to be like? A person whose behavior, example, or success
More informationThe Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked
Psalm 37:1-40 Encouraging the Righteous / Warning the Wicked The Heritage of the Righteous and the Calamity of the Wicked A Psalm of David. א 1.Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers
More informationTranslation Practice (Review) Adjectives Pronouns Pronominal suffixes Construct chains Bible memory passages
Translation Practice (Review) Adjectives Pronouns Pronominal suffixes Construct chains Bible memory passages Review Adjectives Identify and Translate (1/2).1 סּ פ ר ה טּ ב ה.2 ה סּ פ ר ט ב.3 סּ פ ר ט ב ה.4
More informationFree Download from the book "Mipeninei Noam Elimelech" translated and compiled by Tal Moshe Zwecker by permission from Targum Press, Inc.
Free Download from the book "Mipeninei Noam Elimelech" translated and compiled by Tal Moshe Zwecker by permission from Targum Press, Inc. NOT FOR RETAIL SALE All rights reserved 2008 To buy the book click
More informationAdvisor Copy. Welcome the NCSYers to your session. Feel free to try a quick icebreaker to learn their names.
Advisor Copy Before we begin, I would like to highlight a few points: Goal: 1. It is VERY IMPORTANT for you as an educator to put your effort in and prepare this session well. If you don t prepare, it
More informationFeeding the Hungry: PJ Programming at Local Food Bank. Webinar 2: Programming with Collaborative Partners January 9, 2013
Feeding the Hungry: PJ Programming at Local Food Bank Webinar 2: Programming with Collaborative Partners January 9, 2013 Multi-Age Programming: How To: Maintain each child s interest and stave off boredom
More informationSHABBAT UNPLUGGING & RECONNECTING
SHABBAT UNPLUGGING & RECONNECTING Setting the Stage The Senator and the Sabbath: Joe Lieberman on his Relationship With Sabbath It s Friday night, raining one of those torrential downpours that we get
More informationThe Benefits of Being Stiff-Necked. Rabbi Noah Gradofsky
The Benefits of Being Stiff-Necked (sermon) for Second Day of Rosh Hashanah 5779/2018 דבר תורה Rabbi Noah Gradofsky Grey material omitted from spoken presentation. otherwise noted. All translations my
More informationבס ד THE SEDER EXPLAINED. Rabbi Moshe Steiner April 19th, Unit #4 Matzah & Maror
בס ד Rabbi Moshe Steiner April 19th, 2016 > MITZVAH REQUIREMENTS: Matzah - The minimum amount of matzah needed to fulfill one s obligation is 1 oz. Maror (bitter herb) - The minimum amount of maror needed
More informationNATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL. Shavuot Nation JEWISH EDITION. Compiled by Gabi Weinberg Teen Program Director
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL Shavuot Nation JEWISH EDITION Compiled by Gabi Weinberg Teen Program Director Just Dress? Or is Tzniut something more? By Jacob and Penina Bernstein, Youth Directors at
More informationParshat Yitro tells of the climactic moment when Israel stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and received the Torah from
YITRO Welcome to the Aleph Beta Study Guide on Parsha Yitro! The Marriage of God and Israel Parshat Yitro tells of the climactic moment when Israel stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and received the Torah
More informationNoah s Favor Before God
READING HEBREW Noah s Favor Before God IN THIS LECTURE: 1. Reading from the Torah 2. Reading from the Siddur 3. Reading from the Dead Sea Scrolls Words of the Week Look for these words while reading son,
More informationSOURCE BOOK. The Holiday Series is an initiative of Partners Detroit Compiled by Rabbi Chaim Fink
SOURCE BOOK The Holiday Series is an initiative of Partners Detroit Compiled by Rabbi Chaim Fink SHAVUOS There is something unique about the holiday of Shavuos. For all other Jewish holidays, the Torah
More informationפרשת פקודי. Bits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. Parashat Pekudai. Parashat Pekudei Worshiping the Lord the Way He Wants
Bits of Torah Truths Bereshit / Exodus 38:21-40:38, 2 Kings 11:17-12:17 John 6:1-71 Simchat Torah Series פרשת פקודי Parashat Pekudai Parashat Pekudei Worshiping the Lord the Way He Wants In this weeks
More informationForgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement Parashat Shelach Lecha June 9, 2018 Rabbi Carl M. Perkins Temple Aliyah, Needham
Forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement Parashat Shelach Lecha June 9, 2018 Rabbi Carl M. Perkins Temple Aliyah, Needham There s a piyyut, a liturgical poem, in the Yom Kippur liturgy that I am sure
More informationThe High Priest and Our Struggle with Work-Life Balance
Yom Kippur 5775 HIR The Bayit Steven Exler The High Priest and Our Struggle with Work-Life Balance I. The beginning of the Yom Kippur story, the story of the extraordinary service we read about and reenact
More informationAPPROACHING MOSHIACH
APPROACHING MOSHIACH By Rabbi Pinchas Taylor LESSON 3 GLOSSARY PROFILE A brief biographical account of the author noted in the body text EXORDIUM A brief characterization of the noted book TEXT 1 The 63
More informationSHABBAT AND HAVDALAH SEMINAR May 27, 2015, 1:00-6:00 Hebrew College The Early Childhood Institute
SHABBAT AND HAVDALAH SEMINAR May 27, 2015, 1:00-6:00 Hebrew College The Early Childhood Institute www.hebrewcollege.edu The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week
More informationBE A MENTSCH. Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders. Bringing Jews Close Together!
BE A MENTSCH Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders Bringing Jews Close Together! פ ר ש ת ל ך ל ך Be a Mentsch means doing acts which help other people. This is especially true if our behavior makes a ד ו ש ה.ק Many people,
More informationה ג ד ת הע צ מ א ות. Haggadat Ha'atzmaut. A Picnic Celebration of Yom Ha atzmaut
Haggadat Ha'atzmaut ה ג ד ת הע צ מ א ות A Picnic Celebration of Yom Ha atzmaut Celebrate Yom Ha atzmaut with an innovative new ritual revolving around a picnic seder, and featuring a newly written haggadah
More informationParashat Balak. Sharon Rimon
Parashat Balak Sharon Rimon ~ 2 ~ An Angel of God With Its Sword Drawn Why does God agree to Balaam s request to join Balak s ministers after previously forbidding it? Why does God become angry at Balaam
More informationUNIFICATION. This painting is a meditative map of many spiritual concepts of Kabbalah.
ב"ה UNIFICATION This painting is a meditative map of many spiritual concepts of Kabbalah. At the center of the painting are four Hebrew letters א ה ב ה meaning LOVE. The more we develop spiritually, the
More informationThe Hebrew Café thehebrewcafe.com/forum
The Hebrew Café Textbook: Cook & Holmstedt s Biblical Hebrew: A Student Grammar (2009) Found here online: http://individual.utoronto.ca/holmstedt/textbook.html The Hebrew Café The only vocabulary word
More informationA Presentation of Partners in Torah & The Kohelet Foundation
A Presentation of Partners in Torah & The Kohelet Foundation source Material note Mentor Note Mentor summary The purpose of this session is to introduce your partners to the concept of Shabbat menucha.
More informationTEN PATHS TO GOD UNIT
TEN PATHS TO GOD UNIT 1 Educator Guide / Entry Level זהות IDENTITY On Being a Jew Based on the teachings of Rabbi Sacks UNIT 1 Educator Guide / Entry Level 1 Among the fine people it has been my privilege
More informationThe Frog, the Serpent and the Raven SAMPLE. Daniel Freedman
The Frog, the Serpent and the Raven SAMPLE Daniel Freedman ,נ י and Avrohom Yeshayahu נ י For my dear children: Meir Simcha may you always have the emunah and bitachon in Hashem to accomplish and fulfill
More information21-1. Meaning Spelling HebrewSyntax.org JCBeckman 1/10/2012 Copy freely CC BY-NC-SA 21-3
Class Requirements for Chapter 21 21-1 Roadmap for Chapter 21 21-2 Know how to parse and translate: Infinitive Absolute Qal infinitive absolute for any verb Parsing Know how to write in Hebrew: Qal infinitive
More informationשלום SHALOM. Do you have peace with G-d? יש לך שלום עם אלוהים? First Fact. Second Fact
שלום האם יש לך שלום עם אלוהים? SHALOM Do you have peace with G-d? The following four facts explain how it is possible to know the G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya acov. G-d Himself has provided the way
More informationHEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT
HEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT ב ר כ ו Originally developed as a complement to the JECC s curriculum, Lasim Lev: Sh ma and Its Blessings, plus Kiddush Jewish Education Center of Cleveland March, 2016 A project
More informationWhy Study Syntax? Chapter 23 Lecture Roadmap. Clause vs. Sentence. Chapter 23 Lecture Roadmap. Why study syntax?
-1 Why Study Syntax? - Syntax: ו How words work together to communicate meaning in clauses. Why study it? What meaning is legitimate to take from this verse? Evaluate differences in translation. Evaluate
More informationSermon Study for June 9 th, rd Sunday After Pentecost! 1 Kings 17:17-24 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill.
Sermon Study for June 9 th, 2013-3 rd Sunday After Pentecost! 1 Kings 17:17-24 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing.
More informationThe Book of Obadiah. The Justice & Mercy of God
The Book of Obadiah The Justice & Mercy of God Shortest book of the Hebrew Bible Obadiah cited as author, 1:1 A unique prophecy, in that it focuses on Edom, rather than on Israel Focuses on God s judgment
More informationConverted verbal forms are used primarily to denote sequences of consecutive actions, either in the past, present or future.
Chapter 17a - introduction Converted verbal forms are used primarily to denote sequences of consecutive actions, either in the past, present or future. Chapter 17b - basic form with imperfect Qal Imperfect
More informationB NAI MITZVAH FAMILY HONORS
B NAI MITZVAH FAMILY HONORS Prayer Honoree Hebrew Names AM Siddur Page PM Siddur Page Parent s Kavanah Opening Kavanah Kavanah for Peace Ark Opening (Non-Speaking) PARENTS 8 9 56 Carry Torah BAR/BAT MITZVAH
More informationTHOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: VAYIGASH: COUNT THE MIRACLES
THOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES: VAYIGASH: COUNT THE MIRACLES Gavriel Z. Bellino December 16, 2015 Genesis 46:15 These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan-aram, with his daughter Dinah; all his
More informationRelationships: Everything Else is Commentary
Relationships: Everything Else is Commentary Tjj Bus 5 Shabbat Relationships July 22nd, 2017 Source 1 Source 3 Source 2 ויקרא י ט:י ח יח) ל א ת קּ ם ו ל א ת טּ ר א ת בּ נ י ע מּ ו א ה ב תּ ל ר ע כּ מ וֹ א נ י
More informationTHINKING ABOUT REST THE ORIGIN OF SHABBOS
Exploring SHABBOS SHABBOS REST AND RETURN Shabbos has a multitude of components which provide meaning and purpose to our lives. We will try to figure out the goal of Shabbos, how to connect to it, and
More informationHEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT
HEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT ש מ ע Originally developed as a complement to the JECC s curriculum, Lasim Lev: Sh ma and Its Blessings, plus Kiddush Jewish Education Center of Cleveland March, 2016 A project
More informationExtraordinary Passages:
Extraordinary Passages: Texts and Travels Global Day of Jewish Learning: Curriculum www.theglobalday.org A Project of the Aleph Society Title facilitator s guide The Stops Along the Way Based on a lesson
More informationAbraham, Circumcision, and Servant-hood
Bereshit / Genesis 18:1-22:24, 2 Kings 4:1-37 Luke 2:1-38 Parashat Vayera Abraham, Circumcision, and Servant-hood Parashat Vayera This week s reading is from Parashat Vayera (Shemot / Genesis 18:1-22:24).
More informationBEAUTY AND UGLINESS. Global Day of Jewish Learning: Curriculum. A Project of the Aleph Society
BEAUTY AND UGLINESS Global Day of Jewish Learning: Curriculum wwwtheglobaldayorg A Project of the Aleph Society e source of the obligation to remove ing to Rabbi Akiva, it is derived from xpression himmol
More informationDevarim / Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8, Isaiah 60:1-22 Luke 23: Parashat Ki Tavo
Devarim / Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8, Isaiah 60:1-22 Luke 23:26-56 Parashat Ki Tavo The way God reveals Himself and the New Covenant Parsahat Ki Tavo In this weeks reading from Parsahat Ki Tavo (Devarim / Deuteronomy
More informationHebrew Adjectives. Hebrew Adjectives fall into 3 categories: Attributive Predicative Substantive
1 Hebrew Adjectives fall into 3 categories: Attributive Predicative Substantive 2 Attributive Adjectives: Modify a noun; Agree in gender, number, and definiteness with the noun; Follow the noun they modify.
More informationAnd the king lamented for Abner, and said: Should Abner die as a churl dieth?--no.
Toldot 5729 Alef. 1. Yitchak asked Eisav to hunt and catch game implying a wild animal (27:3). Rikva asks Yaakov to prepare a kid, a domesticated animal (Ibid. 9). If the taste of the two animals was significantly
More informationElijah Opened. Commentary by: Zion Nefesh
Elijah Opened Commentary by: Zion Nefesh Elijah opened and said Master of the worlds, you are one and never to be counted (because there are no more like you), you are supernal of all supernal, concealed
More informationBits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. What does it mean to Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven?
Bits of Torah Truths Shemot / Exodus 10:1 13:16, Jer. 46:13 28 Simchat Torah Series פרשת בא Mark 3:7 19 Parashat Bo Parashat Bo What does it mean to Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven? In this week s reading
More informationA R E Y O U R E A L L Y A W A K E?
A R E Y O U R E A L L Y A W A K E? ב ר ו ך א ת ה י י א לה ינ ו מ ל ך ה עו ל ם, ה מ ע ב יר ש נ ה מ ע ינ י ות נ ומ ה מ ע פ ע פ י Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the Universe, who removes sleep from
More informationפרשת שמות. Bits of Torah Truths. Simchat Torah Series. What s in a Name?
Bits of Torah Truths Shemot / Exodus 1:1-6:1, Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23 Luke 5:12-39 Simchat Torah Series פרשת שמות Parashat Shemot Parashat Shemot What s in a Name? This week s reading from Parashat
More informationShabbat Passover Rabbi David M. Glickman. "American Grace" -- This Generation is Different. 'In every generation...'" and "Grace.
Shabbat Passover 5774 Rabbi David M. Glickman "American Grace" -- This Generation is Different There are two ideas I want to introduce. Two very Jewish ideas, but only one ב כ ל ד ו ר ו דו ר " are: gets
More informationBeginning Biblical Hebrew
Beginning Biblical Hebrew Dr. Mark D. Futato OL 501 Fall 2016 This Page Left Blank 1 Dr. Mark D. Futato Hebrew 1 Instructor: Dr. Mark D. Futato Email: mfutato@rts.edu Phone: 407-278-4459 Dates: September
More information