Ki Tavo 5771: Blessings, Thanksgiving and New Beginnings

Please see the photos at http://www.pressconnects.com/ for the devastation suffered by thousands of residents of the Binghtamton Southern Tier area.  Fortunately our farm was well outside of the flooded area.  However, many of our neighbors suffered lots of damage to their farms from the waters as well as from oil tanks that leaked etc.  There are many relief projects going on in the area.  Please consider giving to: Hay for Holly (see the facebook page).  It is a group of people helping raise money to feed the alpaca and sheep this winter for our neighbors Holly and Todd whose farm was flooded and then contaminated by leaky oil tanks and other debris that fell into their land during the flood.  

For more information on tithing or the "maasar" in the Bible see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maaser_Rishon, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maaser_Sheni.  An interesting view on tithing can be found here:  http://www.pidyon.com/latest-writings/halacha/10-maaser/48-computing-maaser-how-much-tzedakah-charity-do-i-owe.html. 

Shoftim 5771: Pursuing Justice Justly

Fabulous article on translating texts by Dr. Joel Hoffman.  It includes references to the cities of refuge which are mentioned yet again in this week's parasha.

Sorry for the barking in the background..but Moonshine and Magnolia were determined to be part of this week's podcast.

Don't forget to go the Torah Threads Ravelry group to join in on the study group forming there.

Reeh 5771: Blessings, Curses, Blessings

Thanks to The Clothed in the Lamb podcast for mentioning me and for sending listeners my way.  Please do visit Itunes and put in a review (a good one I hope) to help others find Torah Threads.  

The image below is based on this week's parasha.  Please read the artist's statement as it beautifully conveys a special part of the Torah portion.  

Andi Arnovitz, USA/Israel

Parshat Re'eh

Parshat Re'eh

Artist Statement

I have always loved this parsha because the fundamentals of the Jewish concept of tzedakah are carefully explained here. Although there are many blessings and curses given, as an artist searching for the most graphic statement in the parsha, I found the "If there shall be a destitute person among you, any of your brethren in any of your cities, in the land that Hashem your G-d gives you, you shall not harden your heart or close your hand against your destitute brother. Rather, you shall open your hand to him; you shall lend him his requirement, whatever is lacking to him."

In this piece I worked in layers, symbolizing the many layers of understanding and interpretation that exist in the Torah. I have used the image of the hamsa, so prevalent here in Jerusalem, to represent the hand open in giving. I have sewn them, but left the tops open so they could actually hold money. Hanging from these hands are all the categories of obligation to which an individual is required to give charity. (From the Kitzer Shuchan Aruch. These include the orphan and widow, the poor of Jerusalem, the captive and the schools. All require our attention.

Vaetchanan 5771: Loving God and Being Holy

For Information on the laws and customs of the Mezuzah see:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Stages/Building_a_Jewish_Home/Home_and_Community/Mezuzah.shtml.  You can also see an interesting Cartoon Video explaining how to hang a Mezuzah.
For a story on a legal case about a Mezuzah see:  http://www.myshtetl.co.za/media/expatriatenews/usa/texas-enacts-law-defend-mezuzot

Notice the large "ayin" letter at the tip of the "yad" the pointer, and the large "dalet" at the end of the same line.  These to letters make the Hebrew word "AYD" or witness.  Which reminds us to use this phrase to bear witness to The Eternal God.


Please write me if you are interested in getting together at the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck NY for Shabbat Dinner.

Devarim 5771: Moses' First Speech--Historical Review and Revisionism

Wikipedia gives a general introduction to the background and the structure of the Book of Deuteronomy.  It is well worth reading it or the introduction to the book from any of the major Jewish commentaries such as the Plaut, Eitz Hayyim, the JPS or the Hertz Pentateuch to keep track of the themes and content as this sometimes gets lost in some of the details given. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy

You will also notice a different tone in the language.  We will talk about that more when we get to the poetic sections.

Mattot 5771: Vows, Vengeance and Valor

On the subject of vows I should mention:

People were so concerned about the possibility that they might not be able to completely fulfill vows they made tt that in later years the Kol Nidrei prayer was created to annul vows. This was highly controversial among the Jewish people.  The rabbis were concerned that people might be more inclined to make vows that they had no intention of keeping.  Others feared that people wouldn't trust the word of Jews if they thought that they could nullify a vow on Yom Kippur through the Kol Nidrei.  For more information on Kol Nidrei and vows see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kol_Nidre

Pinchas 5771: Zealots, Women's Rights and Passing the Torch

Pinchas 5771: Zealots, Women's Rights and Passing the Torch

This link will take you to a wonderful page explaining the special writing that is characteristic of this parasha in the Torah Scroll. 

http://hatam-soferet.dreamwidth.org/443763.html

TZAV 5771: Offerings, Ordination and Afterlife

Offerings, Ordination and Afterlife.

Congratulations to Heather Ordover of Craftlit.com for reaching her 200^th episode.  Heather inspired me to start Torah Threads and is a wonderful literature teacher.  I have truly grown in my understanding of literature through her podcasts. 

Vayikra 5771: Of offerings, sacrifices and community building

Vayikra 5771:  Of offerings, sacrifices and community building

For more background on the book of Leviticus you can read:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Leviticus

I also strongly suggest getting The Torah:  A Modern Commentary by Rabbi Gunther Plaut.  These sections of Leviticus are really well explained by Rabbi Plaut.

VaYakhel 5771: The Spinsters Arrive

Show Notes Vayakhel 5771:  The Spinsters appear!

You can read Rabbi Lawrence Kushner’s The Tent Peg Business here:

http://urj.org/worship/worshipwithjoy/letuslearn/s17tentpeg/

Definition of SPINSTER a woman whose occupation is to spin

Super Scarves Project Information

http://www.indianapolissuperbowl.com/super-scarves/

I’ll post photos of my super scarf in process and my one row lace scarf soon.

Ki Tissa 5771: Of Golden Calves and Glowing Presences

Sorry I am so late this week!

For more on Michaelangelo's depiction of horns based on the mis-translation of the Hebrew word referring to "rays" of light rather than "horns of light" see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_%28Michelangelo%29
For more detailed discussion on the origins of the golden calf see:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_calf.

Tetzaveh 5771: Priestly Fibers

For More information about Priestly Garb look at: 

The Temple Institute detailed drawings and descriptions

http://www.templeinstitute.org

For more information on the Urim & Thummim  look at the Jewish Encyclopedia

http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=52&letter=U&search=urim%20thumim

For more information on why the words Urim and Thummim appear in Hebrew on the Seal of Yale University look at: 

http://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/issues/01_03/seal.html

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

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.

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:

New Jewish Feminism
Probing the Past, Forging the Future

Edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein
Foreword by Anita Diamant, author of The Red Tent

ReVisions
Seeing Torah through a Feminist Lens

Rabbi Elyse Goldstein

The Women's Haftarah Commentary
New Insights from Women Rabbis on the 54 Weekly Haftarah Portions, the 5 Megillot & Special Shabbatot

Edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein

The Women's Torah Commentary
New Insights from Women Rabbis on the 54 Weekly Torah Portions

Edited by Rabbi Elyse Goldstein

Standing Again at Sinai:  Judaism from a Feminist Perspective Judith Plaskow

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. 

http://www.haaretz.com/news/ancient-samaritan-sect-marks-passover-sacrifice-near-nablus-1.219497

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3394699,00.html

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!

VaEra 5771: A God by Any Other Name

Vaera 5771:  A God by Any Other Name

A good summary about the different names of God can be found in this Wikipedia article.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Judaism

Please also consider listening to Forgotten Classics by Julie D.  There is an episode in the Notes to the Reader,  the introduction to Robert Alter’s translation of Genesis, which contains a discussion of the names of God in Genesis.  You can find Forgotten Classics on Itunes or you can follow the link here.  http://hcforgottenclassics.blogspot.com/2010/09/episode-136-genesis-note-to-reader-1.html  There are additional “note to the Reader” episodes which also have very interesting information about the Bible in general, issues of translation and the names of God.  Please note that Julie does not speak Hebrew and tries very hard to spell words instead of mispronouncing them.  It makes it a little harder to listen to, but her devotion to accuracy is impressive!

Please listen to and look at the show notes for Parshat Noah to hear more about the names of God and their connection to the different editorial strands of the text.

Portable recording devices anyone?  Suggestions for the best one to use on the fly.  Donations towards its purchase are greatly appreciated.

Names for our ram?  We have a new Tunis ram still waiting for a name.  Suggestions? 

What does God stiffening Pharaoh’s heart mean?  Is there a difference between the times the text tells us that God stiffened Pharaoh’s heart versus the times it simply states that Pharaoh hardened his own heart?

Comments please!

P.S.  Happy Secular New Year to all. 

Shemot 5771: Bushes and Bricks

Not much to note this week, though I am certain I missed saying something.  I am a big supporter of midwifery and natual childbirth, so I have always connected to the story of Shiphrah and Puah and their bravery! 

P