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/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUp2MTfyfrI&feature=player_embedded

http://www.ritualwell.org/holidays/passover/partsoftheseder/honoringmiriam/file.2005-06-27.1260090386

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

http://gilmarks.com/44034.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

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. 

Vayigash 5771: Drama! Drama! Drama! You are the boss of me!

Show Notes

Vayigash 5771

Hanukkah Radio Programs

I couldn’t actually find the audio feeds for these programs, but perhaps you will be able to find them through you own local NPR radio stations.  If not, you can at least look for the stories and people mentioned on these programs for further insight into the celebration of Hanukkah!
Hanukkah Lights - December 1, 3-4pm on 93.9FM          
On this perennial NPR favorite, Hanukkah stories and memoirs, written by acclaimed authors expressly for Hanukkah Lights, are read by NPR's Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz. Hanukkah Lights celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, with four brand new works:  "Finding Golda" by Margot Singer, "Legacy" by  Lev Raphael," "Geek Week" by Rebecca O'Connell, and "Moon Landing," by Shira Nayman.
In "Legacy," Lev Raphael reflects on the Hanukkah celebrations of his youth, and the miracles of a dark time that, quite literally, brought his family to life. In Shira Nayman's "Moon Landing," two young girls find common ground in the age old miracles of their vastly different cultures. In "Finding Golda," by Margot Singer, a middle-aged man, adrift in a troubled and violent city, finds new hope in the hearts of those who love him. In Rebecca O'Connell's "Geek Week," two teens meet at a high-school science fair, and stumble on a formula to reunite a divided family.
A Great Miracle Happened There: A Hanukkah Special – December 5, 6-7am on 93.9 FM and 9pm on AM820
A conversation between Rabbi Ismar Schorsch and Host Larry Josephson about the history, rituals, foods and meaning of Hanukkah--and its importance to American Jews in our time. Cantors David Lefkowitz and Elisheva Dienstfrey sing the music of Hanukkah.
A Chanukah Musical Celebration – December  5, 10-10:30pm on 93.9 FM
The spirit of Chanukah, a holiday joyous at freedom's triumph and spiritual rededication, is richly reflected in the folk melodies and songs from countries across the globe where Jews have lived and worshipped for centuries. Host Naomi Lewin presents this music for all to enjoy in A Chanukah Musical Celebration.
To see Steph Gorin’s amazing work look at:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/loop.
Jewish Fiberaholics is a group on Ravelry.com.  You can find many different groups on Ravelry for all types of fiber arts and groups throughout the world.  Over 1 million people turn to Ravelry.com as a way to learn and grow in their craft.