Saturday, January 29, 2011

Terumah 5771: Taking God on the Road

This  fabulous book by Author Moses Levine is a "must see". 
It is a great way to see what the Tabernacle discussed in this week's parasha might have looked liked.
You might enjoy seeing this commentary on the Parasha as well.

Please pass on the word about Torah Threads and leave your comments here.  It makes it much more fun for me when I hear what you are all thinking

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Mishpatim 5771: Laws, Moral and Community Building


For more information about the Code of Hammurabi created approximately in 1700 BCE please see the following article.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi


A brief explanation of Jewish law as it is practiced today and its development into “Halacha” can be found here.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halakha

SULAM-LI:  The Religious School for Jewish Children with Special Needs Klezmer Concert and Dance party featuring Alicia Svigals’ Klezmer Fiddle Express and Dance Master Steven Weintraub will be on Sunday, February 6, 2011, at 1:00 PM.  Details can be found at SULAM-LI.org.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Yitro 5771: Conversion, Courts and Commandments

Please see the "extras" for the PDF of the 10 commandments in Hebrew and English as they appear in this week's parasha.

"Nedarim" is the Hebrew word for vows and is a tractate of the Talmud.  For more information on the importance of vows see: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ethics/Talk_and_Gossip/Types_of_Speech/Vows_and_Oaths.shtml.
For more information about seeing the text through a feminist lens consider these books:
Edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein
Foreword by Anita Diamant, author of The Red Tent
Rabbi Elyse Goldstein

Edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein
Edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein

Standing Again at Sinai:  Judaism from a Feminist Perspective

Monday, January 10, 2011

Beshallach 5771: Gastronomic Judaism, Freedom and The Song of the Sea



This week we remember the amazing Debbie Friedman who died on Sunday, January 9, 2011.  Her music inspired me from the time I was in high school.  To learn more about Debbie please read and watch the videos and mp3s listed below.  Her memory and her music will continue to bless us all for generations to come.





http://www.jewishjournal.com/music/article/jewish_singer_songwriter_performer_debbie_friedman_dies_20110109/


Debbie wrote this song in honor of this week’s parasha and the song of the sea.  You can listen to Miriam's Song, click here.
Miriam's Song

Music and Lyrics by Deborah Lynn Friedman

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

And Miriam was a weaver of unique variety.
The tapestry she wove was one which sang our history.
With every thread and every strand
she crafted her delight.
A woman touched with spirit, she dances
toward the light.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

As Miriam stood upon the shores and gazed across the sea,
The wonder of this miracle she soon came to believe.
Whoever thought the sea would part with an outstretched hand,
And we would pass to freedom, and march to the promised land.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

And Miriam the Prophet took her timbrel in her hand,
And all the women followed her just as she had planned.
And Miriam raised her voice with song.
She sang with praise and might,
We've just lived through a miracle, we're going to dance tonight.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.


Please consider using Ritualwell.org whenever you want to find interesting and inspirational additions to any holiday observance.
The Torah text of the song of the Sea:   
Notice that it looks like bricks stacked on top of each other.


For information about Manna and its origin and place in Jewish texts please go to Gil Marks’ gilmarks.com website where you will find amazing material.  The links to his commentary on this parasha can be found here: http://gilmarks.com/1215.html

More general information about Manna can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manna.   Some say that Manna may be related to Carob.  Look here for more info on the Carob Tree.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carob_tree
The manuscript photos connected with this week’s portion are from the Vatican collection. Monastery Pantokrator  9th century Psalterion, (Codex 61, 206r)

Information on Rabbi Joe Black and his music can be found here.  Look for Nachson ben Aminadav and Pharaoh, Pharaoh.  http://www.rabbijoeblack.com/

Tu B’shvat seder information can be found here at Hazon’s website.  http://www.hazon.org/food/tuBishvat/Seder_Manual.pdf

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bo 5771: Pesach, Matzah, Maror


Links to stories about the Samaritan Passover sacrifice which retains the traditions established in this week’s parasha for the Passover offering. 




In the Passover Haggadah we are told in addition to mentioning the objects on the Seder plate, we have to make certain to mention, Matzah, Maror and Pesach (the Passover offering).  This is derived from this week’s parasha.

Trivia Question:  What do we put on the doorposts of our houses today that also commemorates an act that takes place in this week’s parasha?


Are you a bread maven?  Do you know anything about grains and their chemical reaction to rising agents?  If so please be in touch, I have a question for you!

New parasha delayed

Sorry everyone...my computer has been buried under drop cloths etc...will get new podcast up in a little while!

P