The Torah Portion Re'eh begins with God's words as communicated by Moses. "See: I'm putting in front of you today a blessing and a curse:" (Deuteronomy 11:26)* We learn that we'll receive God's blessing if we listen to (and act upon) God's commandments. We'll be cursed if we don't listen and allow ourselves to be led astray, especially in the direction of idolatry.
Re'eh stresses that we will thrive and be blessed if we actively demonstrate that we are obeying God's laws. Special emphasis is placed on rituals for sacrificial offerings, not at a time or in a place of our choosing, but "...in front of YHWH, your God, in the place that He will choose to tent His name there..." (Deuteronomy 14:23)*
While we no longer offer sacrifices and most of us have no flocks, vineyards, or fields of grain, two important themes of Re'eh, centralized communal worship and eating as a sacred act resonate in modern Jewish practice.
As God promised, the Jewish people have multiplied and established communities around the world. The ancient central sites for worship are gone, but in their place, we've built a multitude of synagogues. Are our synagogues places "of God's choosing?" I believe they are. God has given us the wisdom to interpret the lessons of Torah, to follow and apply God's teaching over millennia of cultural evolution. Our T'fila (prayer), our ritual observances, our Holiday gatherings, our Torah study sessions in our synagogues make them places "of God's choosing" where we can show that we're worthy of God's promised blessing.
In a sense, we even bring "offerings." As a member of a synagogue, we're encouraged to bring our mind, spirit, physical energy, skills, time and money to support the sacred work of the institution.
As for eating, that's a core synagogue activity! Oneg Shabbat, Kiddush lunch, Brotherhood breakfast, classroom snacks, fall barbecue, winter latke party, spring Seder - we come together to enjoy food after we've recited the appropriate blessings which transform a feast or a snack into a sacred act.
"...And you shall eat there in front of YHWH, your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household." (Deuteronomy 14:26)*
We, who are blessed with plenty, are commanded in Re'eh to give to the poor.
"...I command you, saying: you shall open your hand to your brother, to your poor, and to your indigent in your land." (Deuteronomy 15:11)
Here, again, we may look to our synagogue to fulfill this mitzvah as we bring "offerings" to fill food pantry collection bins placed in the synagogue lobby.
The Jewish community continues to study and strive to understand all that God commanded through Moses. We see that the one central sacred place for sacrifices of Re'eh has fragmented into hundreds of synagogues with one sacred purpose, the perpetuation of the Jewish people according to God's commandments.
When we bake challah in the synagogue on Friday morning, arrive for Torah study on Shabbat, bring our children to religious school, gather for Holiday celebrations, and come to T'fila, let's imagine that we're at the head of an infinitely long line of our ancestors - a line which wondrously reaches back to the banks of the Jordan where Moses speaks God's words. It's a blessing for us to SEE that while everything has changed, nothing has changed - like Torah, like God.
Not one of my students!
Not One of My Students!
Welcome - Baruchim Habaim
Welcome - Baruchim Habaim
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Torah Commentary - Ekev
The Torah Portion, Ekev, begins with Moses teaching the children of Israel that if they listen to, observe, and do what God has commanded, they will be God's partners in the covenant which God made with their ancestors. If they behave according to God's laws, God will bless the children of Israel with fertility, prosperity, and strength in overcoming the idolatrous peoples whom they'll encounter as they settle Canaan.
Moses reminds the children of Israel of God's miracles on their behalf and how God sustained and "tested" them in their forty year journey through the wilderness.
(Deuteronomy 8:2)
Moses warns the children of Israel not to become arrogant in their prosperity, but to remember that God is the source of their well-being.
"...and you'll say in your heart:'My power and my hand's strength made this wealth for me.' Then you shall remember YHWH, your God, because He is the one who gave you power to make wealth so as to uphold His covenant that He swore to your fathers- as it is this day." (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)*
Moses firmly points out the times when the children of Israel have disobeyed God's commandments and declares in exasperation, "You have been rebelling toward YHWH from the day I knew you." (Deuteronomy: 9:24)* In describing the many times when they have failed to follow God's laws, Moses characterizes the children of Israel as "rebellious," "hard-necked," "corrupt," sinful, distrustful, wicked, and prone to the influence of idol-worshipping neighbors.
Yet,despite this acknowledgement of their faults, Moses provides clear instructions for how the children of Israel are to settle and thrive in the land which God has promised them:
"And now, Israel, what is YHWH, your God, asking from you except to fear YHWH, your God, to go in all His ways, and to love Him and to serve YHWH, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, to observe YHWH's commandments and his laws that I command you today to be good for you." (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)*
Does Moses succeed in teaching and convincing the children of Israel to improve their behavior, to follow all that God has commanded, so that they will posses and prosper in the Promised Land?
Look around! America is a great country in many ways. Modern Israel is proud and thriving. But, can we, the descendents of the children of Israel, honestly say we've reached the Promised Land? Or - are we still struggling to fulfill our role in the covenant, to follow God's commandments, and to leave the wilderness behind?
How close are we to the Promised Land? We still stand with the children of Israel
waiting to cross over. We are still learning from Moses, from Torah to listen, to observe, and to do.
We're not there yet!
*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman
On a personal note - This past Shabbat I had the pleasure of studying Torah with a close friend. While we have been friends for 50 years, this was the first time on our respective Jewish journeys that Torah study was a naturally engaging part of our conversation.
Where Torah study is concerned, there are no missed opportunities, only opportunities waiting for the right moment.
Moses reminds the children of Israel of God's miracles on their behalf and how God sustained and "tested" them in their forty year journey through the wilderness.
(Deuteronomy 8:2)
Moses warns the children of Israel not to become arrogant in their prosperity, but to remember that God is the source of their well-being.
"...and you'll say in your heart:'My power and my hand's strength made this wealth for me.' Then you shall remember YHWH, your God, because He is the one who gave you power to make wealth so as to uphold His covenant that He swore to your fathers- as it is this day." (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)*
Moses firmly points out the times when the children of Israel have disobeyed God's commandments and declares in exasperation, "You have been rebelling toward YHWH from the day I knew you." (Deuteronomy: 9:24)* In describing the many times when they have failed to follow God's laws, Moses characterizes the children of Israel as "rebellious," "hard-necked," "corrupt," sinful, distrustful, wicked, and prone to the influence of idol-worshipping neighbors.
Yet,despite this acknowledgement of their faults, Moses provides clear instructions for how the children of Israel are to settle and thrive in the land which God has promised them:
"And now, Israel, what is YHWH, your God, asking from you except to fear YHWH, your God, to go in all His ways, and to love Him and to serve YHWH, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, to observe YHWH's commandments and his laws that I command you today to be good for you." (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)*
Does Moses succeed in teaching and convincing the children of Israel to improve their behavior, to follow all that God has commanded, so that they will posses and prosper in the Promised Land?
Look around! America is a great country in many ways. Modern Israel is proud and thriving. But, can we, the descendents of the children of Israel, honestly say we've reached the Promised Land? Or - are we still struggling to fulfill our role in the covenant, to follow God's commandments, and to leave the wilderness behind?
How close are we to the Promised Land? We still stand with the children of Israel
waiting to cross over. We are still learning from Moses, from Torah to listen, to observe, and to do.
We're not there yet!
*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman
On a personal note - This past Shabbat I had the pleasure of studying Torah with a close friend. While we have been friends for 50 years, this was the first time on our respective Jewish journeys that Torah study was a naturally engaging part of our conversation.
Where Torah study is concerned, there are no missed opportunities, only opportunities waiting for the right moment.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Inspired by Pirkei Avot
For many years, my husband has studied with pre-B'nai Mitzvah students and guided them in the preparation of their D'vrei Torah. Two of his recent students expressed an interest in further text study, so my husband prepared a lesson on Pirkei Avot (The Ethics of the Fathers). As part of their exploration of this body of Jewish wisdom, he asked them to create a Teaching in the spirit of Pirkei Avot. The results deserve to be shared. (The students are identified by their initials.)
The Teaching of A.J.
"If you don't recognize change in the world, then nothing is different."
The Teaching of D.S.
"Stay on task even when it seems difficult for someday it will help you."
The Sages of Pirkei Avot would be proud!
The Teaching of A.J.
"If you don't recognize change in the world, then nothing is different."
The Teaching of D.S.
"Stay on task even when it seems difficult for someday it will help you."
The Sages of Pirkei Avot would be proud!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Torah Commentary - Va-Etchannan
I have four words to introduce the Portion, Va-Etchannan - "midrash" and "back-to-school."
Let's start by making a midrash. A midrash (plural-midrashim) is a story commentary which Rabbis throughout the ages have created to "fill in the blanks" in the Torah narrative and to answer perplexing questions which the narrative raises. In the opening lines of Va-Etchannan, Moses reveals that he has pleaded with God to allow him to cross into Canaan and that God's refusal was blunt in its finality.
"...you have much. Don't go on speaking to me anymore of this thing." (Deuteronomy 3:26)*
We know God decreed that because Moses struck the rock in the wilderness of Zin (Numbers 20: 9-11), he was destined to die before the Israelites crossed into Canaan. It seemed that Moses had accepted his fate - and yet here in Va-Etchannan, Moses pleads with God to change God's mind! Why? What caused Moses to ask God to reconsider?
Just as the Rabbis put forth midrashim, so we (and our students) can devise one, like this:
A Midrash For Va-EtchannanThe children of Israel knew no other leader but Moses. Many began to express alarm that Moses wouldn't be with them as they faced the challenges of settling in Canaan. Imagine their worried voices...
"We're afraid, Moses. There are battles ahead and so many of God's rules to follow and all the tasks of caring for our families in the land that God promised us."
"You've always told us God's word. You speak directly to God for us. Can Joshua do this? Who knows?"
"Please, Moses, talk to God again and beg God to let you come with us, just for a little while."
"We really need you. Don't leave us. Please. Please. Please!"
And Moses, moved by the heartfelt pleas of the children of Israel, speaks again to God, not on his own behalf, but for the children of Israel, his people,as it is told
in Deuteronomy 3:23-25.
Moving from midrash to Torah narrative, we learn that God answers, but Moses' fate remains unchanged.
Having confirmed that his time is growing short, Moses launches into a vigorous re-teaching of God's commandments.
"And now, Israel, listen to the laws and to the judgments that I'm teaching you to do, so that you'll live, and you'll come and take possession of the land that YHWH, your fathers' God, is giving you." (Deuteronomy 4:1)*
What follows is an intense review of the major events, most life-shaping laws, and key principles of behavior which arose from the children of Israel's encounters with God in the wilderness. It's back-to-school time and Moses must teach his final lessons!
Like any good teacher, Moses recognizes that his students, the children of Israel, don't always grasp complex ideas the first time around; that they may not have listened carefully; that they were spiritually, but not physically present in Egypt or at Mount Sinai; that as they plunge ahead into new experiences, they may not remember all of what was taught previously. Therefore, in Va-Etchannan, Moses repeats, re-phrases, reviews, recounts, reinforces, encourages, and warns.
Moses warns of the dire consequences of practicing idolatry. He recounts vivid descriptions of God's power and God's covenant with the children of Israel. Moses repeats a version of the Ten Commandments and reminds the children of Israel of God's mercy and love for them if they fulfill God's commandments. Moses reviews the locations of the cities of refuge "...for the manslayer who would slay his neighbor without knowing..." (Deuteronomy 4:42)*
Moses reinforces and encourages the children of Israel in their belief in One God. We are encouraged and strengthened by Moses very words in the Sh'ma and V'Ahavta prayers which are taken from Va-Etchannan. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
In the final lines of Va-Etchannan, Moses sums up the relationship between God and the children of Israel - a stern and memorable take-away!
"Therefore you shall know that YHWH, your God, He is God, the faithful God, keeping the covenant and kindness for those who love Him and who observe His commandments to the thousandth generation and paying back to those who hate Him to their faces to destroy them..." (Deuteronomy 7: 9-10)*
As the first Jewish educator, Moses demonstrates his teaching skills and inspires us in our own teaching, millennia removed from the children of Israel on the banks of the Jordan. What an amazing coincidence that we're studying Va-Etchannan just as we're about to re-enter our classrooms to begin the new school year.
Amazing - yes! Coincidence - No!
Torah teachings are made timely through our efforts to interpret, to understand, to apply, and to grow as learners and teachers.
B'Hatslacha (success) in the coming school year!
*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman
Let's start by making a midrash. A midrash (plural-midrashim) is a story commentary which Rabbis throughout the ages have created to "fill in the blanks" in the Torah narrative and to answer perplexing questions which the narrative raises. In the opening lines of Va-Etchannan, Moses reveals that he has pleaded with God to allow him to cross into Canaan and that God's refusal was blunt in its finality.
"...you have much. Don't go on speaking to me anymore of this thing." (Deuteronomy 3:26)*
We know God decreed that because Moses struck the rock in the wilderness of Zin (Numbers 20: 9-11), he was destined to die before the Israelites crossed into Canaan. It seemed that Moses had accepted his fate - and yet here in Va-Etchannan, Moses pleads with God to change God's mind! Why? What caused Moses to ask God to reconsider?
Just as the Rabbis put forth midrashim, so we (and our students) can devise one, like this:
A Midrash For Va-EtchannanThe children of Israel knew no other leader but Moses. Many began to express alarm that Moses wouldn't be with them as they faced the challenges of settling in Canaan. Imagine their worried voices...
"We're afraid, Moses. There are battles ahead and so many of God's rules to follow and all the tasks of caring for our families in the land that God promised us."
"You've always told us God's word. You speak directly to God for us. Can Joshua do this? Who knows?"
"Please, Moses, talk to God again and beg God to let you come with us, just for a little while."
"We really need you. Don't leave us. Please. Please. Please!"
And Moses, moved by the heartfelt pleas of the children of Israel, speaks again to God, not on his own behalf, but for the children of Israel, his people,as it is told
in Deuteronomy 3:23-25.
Moving from midrash to Torah narrative, we learn that God answers, but Moses' fate remains unchanged.
Having confirmed that his time is growing short, Moses launches into a vigorous re-teaching of God's commandments.
"And now, Israel, listen to the laws and to the judgments that I'm teaching you to do, so that you'll live, and you'll come and take possession of the land that YHWH, your fathers' God, is giving you." (Deuteronomy 4:1)*
What follows is an intense review of the major events, most life-shaping laws, and key principles of behavior which arose from the children of Israel's encounters with God in the wilderness. It's back-to-school time and Moses must teach his final lessons!
Like any good teacher, Moses recognizes that his students, the children of Israel, don't always grasp complex ideas the first time around; that they may not have listened carefully; that they were spiritually, but not physically present in Egypt or at Mount Sinai; that as they plunge ahead into new experiences, they may not remember all of what was taught previously. Therefore, in Va-Etchannan, Moses repeats, re-phrases, reviews, recounts, reinforces, encourages, and warns.
Moses warns of the dire consequences of practicing idolatry. He recounts vivid descriptions of God's power and God's covenant with the children of Israel. Moses repeats a version of the Ten Commandments and reminds the children of Israel of God's mercy and love for them if they fulfill God's commandments. Moses reviews the locations of the cities of refuge "...for the manslayer who would slay his neighbor without knowing..." (Deuteronomy 4:42)*
Moses reinforces and encourages the children of Israel in their belief in One God. We are encouraged and strengthened by Moses very words in the Sh'ma and V'Ahavta prayers which are taken from Va-Etchannan. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
In the final lines of Va-Etchannan, Moses sums up the relationship between God and the children of Israel - a stern and memorable take-away!
"Therefore you shall know that YHWH, your God, He is God, the faithful God, keeping the covenant and kindness for those who love Him and who observe His commandments to the thousandth generation and paying back to those who hate Him to their faces to destroy them..." (Deuteronomy 7: 9-10)*
As the first Jewish educator, Moses demonstrates his teaching skills and inspires us in our own teaching, millennia removed from the children of Israel on the banks of the Jordan. What an amazing coincidence that we're studying Va-Etchannan just as we're about to re-enter our classrooms to begin the new school year.
Amazing - yes! Coincidence - No!
Torah teachings are made timely through our efforts to interpret, to understand, to apply, and to grow as learners and teachers.
B'Hatslacha (success) in the coming school year!
*From Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman
Friday, August 5, 2011
Torah Commentary - Devarim
We have become accustomed to studying Portions where God speaks through Moses, but in Devarim, the first Portion in the Book of Deuteronomy (Sefer Devarim), Moses speaks on his own. Moses is fully aware that this is his final chance to address the children of Israel; that his death is imminent; that he won't be going with his people into the land of Canaan. Still, Moses doesn't show resentment or disappointment.
Through the eleven Portions of Deuteronomy, Moses continues to lead. Ever the wise teacher, Moses reviews for the children of Israel the details of their forty year journey including their conquests, their fears, their failures to heed God's commandments.
Moses confidently acknowledges that he set up an effective system of delegating leadership responsibilities (following his father-in-law Yitro's advice, although Moses doesn't mention this here). (Deuteronomy 1:15-18)
Moses cites instances where he told the children of Israel of God's commandments which they refused to follow and so suffered for their rebellious ways.
Moses forcefully reminds the children of Israel that God is with them in their efforts to claim the land that God has given them. (Deuteronomy 3:21-22)
Moses, the powerful central figure of Devarim is also Moses, the extremely senior citizen. The 120 year old Moses is still vigorously engaged in fulfilling his longstanding role as God's spokesperson. He demonstrates excellent recall, eloquent oratory, a magnificent presence, and an amazingly unselfish desire to see the children of Israel succeed in settling Canaan, their God-given homeland.
Although he knows his last days are near, Moses doesn't express bitterness, anger, or regret. He doesn't envy the younger generation who will enter Canaan without him. He accepts his destiny as God has decreed and keeps on leading and teaching.
In today's world, aging and the elderly are depicted in a very different way.
"Stay young! Stay independent! Live happily ever after!" exhort the ads for everything from Jazzercise to mobility scooters to retirement planning.
"Banish wrinkles! Tighten your abs! Replace your knees!" In modern times aging is a challenge to be energetically overcome with grim determination - and large sums of money!
But despite the costly efforts of medical science and mass marketing, longevity is often accompanied by unpreventable physical and mental deterioration - sad to watch and painful to endure. That's the reality.
Fortunately, those of us who are halfway or more along in life's journey, can find special comfort and inspiration in the Torah's portrayal of the elderly, but commanding figure of Moses in Devarim.
We are strengthened by having Moses as our role model and Devarim as a "Senior Moment" in the very best sense of the term.
Shabbat Shalom.
Through the eleven Portions of Deuteronomy, Moses continues to lead. Ever the wise teacher, Moses reviews for the children of Israel the details of their forty year journey including their conquests, their fears, their failures to heed God's commandments.
Moses confidently acknowledges that he set up an effective system of delegating leadership responsibilities (following his father-in-law Yitro's advice, although Moses doesn't mention this here). (Deuteronomy 1:15-18)
Moses cites instances where he told the children of Israel of God's commandments which they refused to follow and so suffered for their rebellious ways.
Moses forcefully reminds the children of Israel that God is with them in their efforts to claim the land that God has given them. (Deuteronomy 3:21-22)
Moses, the powerful central figure of Devarim is also Moses, the extremely senior citizen. The 120 year old Moses is still vigorously engaged in fulfilling his longstanding role as God's spokesperson. He demonstrates excellent recall, eloquent oratory, a magnificent presence, and an amazingly unselfish desire to see the children of Israel succeed in settling Canaan, their God-given homeland.
Although he knows his last days are near, Moses doesn't express bitterness, anger, or regret. He doesn't envy the younger generation who will enter Canaan without him. He accepts his destiny as God has decreed and keeps on leading and teaching.
In today's world, aging and the elderly are depicted in a very different way.
"Stay young! Stay independent! Live happily ever after!" exhort the ads for everything from Jazzercise to mobility scooters to retirement planning.
"Banish wrinkles! Tighten your abs! Replace your knees!" In modern times aging is a challenge to be energetically overcome with grim determination - and large sums of money!
But despite the costly efforts of medical science and mass marketing, longevity is often accompanied by unpreventable physical and mental deterioration - sad to watch and painful to endure. That's the reality.
Fortunately, those of us who are halfway or more along in life's journey, can find special comfort and inspiration in the Torah's portrayal of the elderly, but commanding figure of Moses in Devarim.
We are strengthened by having Moses as our role model and Devarim as a "Senior Moment" in the very best sense of the term.
Shabbat Shalom.
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