The Radical American Judaism of Mordecai M. Kaplan
Apr 10, 2013 By Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event audio
The philosophy of Mordecai M. Kaplan, longtime professor at 91抖阴 (1910 鈥� 1963), dean of its Teachers Institute (1909 鈥� 1946), and founder of the Reconstructionist Movement, is presented in its entirety for the first time in The Radical American Judaism of Mordecai M. Kaplan.
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The Torah’s Prescription for Healing
Apr 9, 2013 By Alan Cooper | Commentary | Metzora | Tazria
At a glance, the opening chapters of Parashat Metzora seem like a biblical antecedent of WebMD. Leviticus 13 describes the disfiguring symptoms of 爪专注转/tzara`at, starting with 鈥渁 swelling, a rash, or a discoloration鈥� that 鈥渄evelops into a scaly affection鈥� (Lev. 13:1).
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The Battle of the Warsaw Ghetto
Apr 9, 2013 By 91抖阴 | Podcast or Radio Program
Originally broadcast in 1944, just six months after the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ended, “The Battle of the Warsaw Ghetto” provides a dramatic account of life in the Ghetto.
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A Song for the Conqueror
Apr 4, 2013 By 91抖阴 | Podcast or Radio Program
A 1955 episode of The Eternal Light depicting the power of music to sustain life and hope amidst a Polish ghetto during the Holocaust.
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The Soul Is Pure
Apr 3, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
The 鈥減reliminary prayers鈥� recited at synagogue each morning are rarely encountered; even if you arrive 15 minutes after the published starting time for a service that might last more than three hours, you will miss those first important words. This fills me with real sorrow, for within this section of Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays (4鈥�13) are remarkable, beautiful affirmations and reflections. In previous weeks, we looked at , focusing especially on the way the poet entrusts body and soul to God each night. So, in the morning, it is natural to give thanks for one more day of life, and to reflect on who we are as human beings, composed of body and soul.
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Finding Atonement After Sin
Apr 3, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shemini
Parashat Shemini opens with the initiation of the Tabernacle altar.
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Isaiah: Visions and Wellsprings of Salvation
Mar 25, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Pesah
It is often interesting to look closely at the haftarot (readings from the Prophets), and wonder about the juxtaposition of texts, themes, and ideas; what is this text looking to tell us or provoke/inspire within us?
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The Light of Passover
Mar 25, 2013 By David Hoffman | Commentary | Pesah
Why did the Rabbis use the word light when they intended darkness? The Hebrew word leila (诇讬诇讛) would certainly have worked. Why did the Rabbis not say what they meant?
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The Secret of Shmurah Matzah
Mar 25, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Pesah
One of the centerpieces of seder night is the eating of matzah, the unleavened bread.
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Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism
Mar 25, 2013 By Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event audio
A Discussion with Dr. Jonathan Klawans, Author, 91抖阴, March 19, 2013, 7:30 PM
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The Family Story
Mar 20, 2013 By Arnold M. Eisen | Commentary | Shabbat Hagadol | Pesah
I asked what part of the seder you most enjoy; whether any aspect of it bothers you; which piece of the Exodus story, if any, means a lot to you personally; and how, or if, you relate to the seder as a religious ceremony. Here鈥檚 what I learned from what you told me.
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Approaching Pesah, Part 2: Who Are the Children at the Seder?
Mar 20, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Pesah
Let me offer a few thoughts on the part of the seder that has continually enchanted me since I was a child. The Haggadah presents four 鈥渢ypes鈥� of children, labeling each and offering directives to the parents on how to respond to each type. This is based upon four verses in the Torah that instruct the Children of Israel to explain (to their children) the rituals of Pesah. The Haggadah assumes that if something is repeated four times, with different language, that there must be a reason: that there are different types of children, each needing a different response.
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Stoking the Perpetual Fire of Freedom
Mar 20, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shabbat Hagadol | Tzav
As we approach the festival of Passover, the domestic excitement and drama increase. This anticipation is seamlessly reflected in Parashat Tzav.
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Beyond the Four Questions: Creating Fun and Meaningful Seders for Children
Mar 19, 2013 By Deborah Miller | Video Lecture | Pesah
Ever wonder how to make the seder fun and meaningful for youth and children? Join Dr. Deborah Miller as she explores the rich educational structure of the seder while giving practical tips and advice on how to keep children ages 0 to 15 engaged in this powerful ritual.
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Approaching Pesah, Part 1: 鈥淭urning the Heart鈥�
Mar 13, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Pesah
Two seemingly disconnected texts offer an insight into the experience of Pesah. On Shabbat Hagadol (the Shabbat before Pesah, this year on March 23), the haftarah from Malachi ends with the powerful words, 鈥渂efore the coming of the great and awesome day of God I will send you the prophet Elijah; he will turn the hearts of parents to [their] children, and the hearts of children to parents鈥� (Mal. 3:23).
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Animal Sacrifice on an iPad: Finding Meaning in Va-yikra
Mar 13, 2013 By Charlie Schwartz | Commentary | Vayikra
I would like to offer three of the many approaches to Va-yikra that might help infuse our reading of the book with meaning beyond flying goats and calves.
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Bridging the Particular and the Universal
Mar 13, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Vayikra
With the opening of the book of Leviticus and its keen focus on sacrifices this coming Shabbat, many laypeople and clergy alike begin an exegetical struggle for connection and relevance.
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鈥淚n God鈥檚 Hand I Place My Soul鈥� (Part 2)
Mar 6, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
Last week we took a brief look at the balance between the majestic theological description of God with which Adon Olam opens, and the more intimate, even tender recounting of the poet鈥檚 relationship with God in the final stanzas. These final verses begin with two short words that articulate a quite extraordinary claim: 鈥�Vehu Eli鈥� (For He is my God).
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Meaning in M茅tier
Mar 6, 2013 By Rabbi Abigail Treu | Commentary | Pekudei | Vayak-hel
The midrash suggests that the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was given not because God needed such a thing, but to show the world鈥擨sraelites included鈥攖hat the Israelites had been forgiven for the sin of the Golden Calf. It is curious, though, that such a gesture would be given as a do-it-yourself assignment.
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Of Leadership and Investment: A People Engage
Mar 6, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Pekudei | Vayak-hel
Parashat Vayak-hel-Pekudei continues the building of the Tabernacle鈥攄etailing the materials, craftsmanship, appurtenances, and its completion.
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