April 05, 2007

The theology of freedom

When I defend Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, I always point out that we were repeatedly ethnically cleansed from Israel and kept coming back. Among the perpetrators were the Babylonians, the Romans, and then a young rapacious Islam. Andrew Bostom has the gory details on the last, and how the State of Israel represents liberation from oppression by a dominant imperialist culture :

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Judith | 04/05/07 at 09:52 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 04, 2007

V'Hi She'amda

I was going through old emails in one of my sporadic attempts to practice good email hygiene, and found a slightly outdated but relevant one from frequent commenter Alex Bensky. Unfortunately, this sentiment is still apropos, and as Alex points out, probably always will be:

Continue reading "V'Hi She'amda"

Judith | 04/04/07 at 07:14 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Pesach in Vienna 1947

A silent movie of Passover in a displaced persons camp in Vienna 1947.

I wish I could post this video, but you have to follow the link. My mother and my aunt by marriage are both from Vienna, although they left before the war and only returned as American tourists. But if they hadn't gotten their visas to England and the US, they might have been at that seder. If they survived till 1947.

Judith | 04/04/07 at 04:38 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 03, 2007

Celebrate Passover with the Barry Sisters

From the YouTube page:

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Judith | 04/03/07 at 05:56 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Counting the Homer

The 2nd night of Pesach we begin the mystical, meditative discipline of counting the Omer, which re-enacts on a spiritual level each step in the journey from the liberation at the Red Sea to the revelation of Torah at Sinai.

The creative synthesis of American pop culture and ancient Jewish tradition has produced an innovation called Counting the Homer. The Homer website has a whole section on the Jews of Springfield, and links to the Simpsons Talmud and learned investigations of the Simpsons Sephardic crypto-Jewish ancestry. D'oh.

Judith | 04/03/07 at 05:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 02, 2007

Mitzrayim to Ge'ulah, speedily and in our days

Chag Sameach from Treppenwitz, who uses his Pesach greeting post to link to just about every Jewish blog there is. So bookmark it for after the holiday. He also publishes a prayer for captives:

May the One Who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon, bless the kidnapped and captive soldiers, including among them Gilad ben (the son of) Aviva Shalit; Ohed ben Malka Goldwasser; Eldad ben Tova Regev; Guy ben Rina Hever, Ron ben Batya Arad; Yekutiel Yehuda Nachman ben Sarah Katz; Tzvi ben Penina Feldman; and Zecharia Shlomo ben Miriam Baumel. May the Holy One, Blessed be He, watch them and save them from all trouble and oppression and from all evil and injury.

May He be filled with mercy for them, to cause them to recover and to heal them, to strengthen them and to invigorate them, and to bring them speedily to freedom, to return to the embrace of their families. May they merit long lives and years of much strength and peace. In the merit of our forefathers, may the descendants be saved and fulfill through them the verse, 'Release my soul from imprisonment to praise Your Name' (Psalms 142:8), swiftly and soon, and let us all say Amen.

Treppenwitz quotes from a Hebrew prayer for the redemption of captives, often sung to a stirring melody - mp3 and lyrics below.

Continue reading "Mitzrayim to Ge'ulah, speedily and in our days"

Judith | 04/02/07 at 05:49 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

The Aviv Matzha Story

I was combing YouTube for Pesach-related videos, and I found this campy documercial about Aviv Matzah Co. in B'nei Brak. Coincidentally, I had just bought a box at Fairway that afternoon, and it was the first time I had ever heard of that brand. Since Pesach hasn't started yet, I haven't tried them.

Incidentally I am not going to do an elaborate series of Pesach posts as I did in years past, but you can find those under Chagim in the category list halfway down the left sidebar; scroll down to 2004 and 2005. The holiday posts from fall 2006 burnt me out; I made one each from Rosh Chodesh Ellul through Simchat Torah, each one with a music file and visual art and theology and customs of the season. You can view them in the Yamim Noraim category and then the Sukkot posts in the Chagim category. But you have to go back to the category list each time because if you click sequentially from the top of the post you just get to the next post from that week.

Also I might be going back to the Middle East between Pesach and Shavuot (more info later) and it's harder to post regularly when I'm traveling. Well, not that it's harder but it's not what I want to spend my time doing.

Judith | 04/02/07 at 01:08 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 01, 2007

Jewlia Eisenberg and Frank London

Every year there's a star-studded high-ticket pre-Passover seder in Manhattan. This performance from last year features Jewlia Eisenberg of Charming Hostess, and Frank London & the Klezmer All-Stars.

More on Charming Hostess, one of my favorite bands, and Exhibit A in my refusal to Stalinize my art appreciation:

Continue reading "Jewlia Eisenberg and Frank London"

Judith | 04/01/07 at 05:42 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

March 31, 2007

If the Passover Story Were Reported by The NY Times

I got the following via email a few years ago. Although a few of the names have changed, unfortunately it hasn't aged much. And the ending hasn't aged at all.

The cycle of violence between the Jews and the Egyptians continues with no end in sight in Egypt. After eight previous plagues that have destroyed the Egyptian infrastructure and disrupted the lives of ordinary Egyptian citizens, the Jews launched a new offensive this week in the form of the plague of darkness.

Western journalists were particularly enraged by this plague. "It is simply impossible to report when you can't see an inch in front of you," complained a frustrated Andrea Koppel of CNN. "I have heard from my reliable Egyptian contacts that in the midst of the blanket of blackness, the Jews were annihilating thousands of Egyptians. Their word is solid enough evidence for me."

Continue reading "If the Passover Story Were Reported by The NY Times"

Judith | 03/31/07 at 10:16 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

March 24, 2007

Cleaning for Passover

Via Carl in Jerusalem:

Daled Amos has some sensible advice.

Judith | 03/24/07 at 11:45 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 16, 2006

Hanukkah 2: Una Candelika

Ocho kandelas para me!

Judith | 12/16/06 at 07:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 15, 2006

Simchat Torah: after much relationship counseling, a wedding

[ UPDATE: Check out this story about one of the oldest existing Torah scrolls. Scribed in Spain around 1100 CE (the era of Miamonides), it was taken to Rhodes by the Sephardic Jews escaping the Inquisition in 1492. Lots of interesting detail about the differences in lettering. One of the commenters links to the Aleppo Codex, which dates from 10th c. Tiberias. ]

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of these include a mp3 of Jewish music from a wide variety of sources and genres.)

Thank God no more holidays for two months. Whew! But you are supposed to carry a bit of the festive spirit to the next day so you don't get a sudden let-down. I think a good night's sleep ought to do it.

A sprightly song from the Iraqi repertoire, Ma Navu Alay
about all the Jews returning from exile to Jerusalem and being reunited with God as are a bride and groom.

Simchat Torah is a wedding ceremony.

Continue reading "Simchat Torah: after much relationship counseling, a wedding"

Judith | 10/15/06 at 11:27 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 13, 2006

Shemini Atzeret: Hevel

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of these include a mp3 of Jewish music from a wide variety of sources and genres.)

The Book of Ecclesiasties, known in Hebrew as Kohelet, is read on the intermediate Shabbat of Sukkot, which this year is the same day as Shemini Atzeret. We sing Hallel, read Kohelet, and the hazan chants Geshem all on the same day. Long service but very musical.

Pharoah's Daughter sings lines from Kohelet
to an original tune, from the CD Out of the Reeds.

This downbeat megillah's relation to the the season of joy which precedes it seems paradoxical. How one reads it turns in part on how one translates the key word "hevel," which has no English equivalent. It is usually rendered as "vanity" or "futility", but it is primarily a word connotating transience, or impermanence without the judgemental frustration that "vanity" or "futility" imply. ("Hevel" - usually pronounced as "Abel" in English translations - is also the name of Adam and Chava's son, which has inspired a certain amount of midrash.)

Continue reading "Shemini Atzeret: Hevel"

Judith | 10/13/06 at 05:49 PM | 4 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Shemini Atzeret: Mashiv haruach u'morid hagashem

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of these include a mp3 of Jewish music from a wide variety of sources and genres.)

Kehilat Hadar sings lines from Psalm 93
("More than the roars of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, are You Hashem on high.")

Although Sukkot is the culmination of an entire week of mandated joy, releasing the tension of 40 days of introspection, it is also a week of praying for rain. But we don't want rain in the sukkah because when we are drenched we are not happy, so the accumulation of requests spills over (as it were) on the extra day of Shemini Atzeret, when the hazan sings a liturgical poem invoking the Patriarchs in asking for rain.

Uh oh. . . .

Continue reading "Shemini Atzeret: Mashiv haruach u'morid hagashem"

Judith | 10/13/06 at 05:35 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Sukkot 7: Judgement for water

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of these include a mp3 of Jewish music from a wide variety of sources and genres.)

The Klezmatics with Chava Alberstein perform "Di Krenitse" ("The Well") at the New Synagogue in Berlin. Partial translation at the end of this post. ***

How are your lulav and etrog holding up?

If your moral self-examination continued past Yom Kippur, the last slips of petition and remorse can be slid through the closed, locked gate today, Hoshana Rabbah. Beat them willow branches really hard.

The Diaspora Band sings "Lulei He'emanti"
from Psalm 27, which we recite every day from the first of Ellul through today.
("If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!--
Wait on the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.")

Continue reading "Sukkot 7: Judgement for water"

Judith | 10/13/06 at 12:12 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 12, 2006

Sukkot 6: Signs and wonders

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/12/06 at 11:12 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 11, 2006

Sukkot 5: Ushpizin and Ushpizot

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/11/06 at 11:41 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 10, 2006

Sukkot 4: I've heard there was a secret chord that David played to please the Lord

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/10/06 at 11:59 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 09, 2006

Sukkot 3: the peace of uncertain shelter

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/09/06 at 09:42 PM | 1 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 07, 2006

Sukkot 2: Arba minim

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/07/06 at 07:29 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 06, 2006

Sukkot 1: Ashrei Shabbat

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/06/06 at 06:07 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Sukkot 1: Pri Eytz Hadar

All Yamim Noraim posts here, including one post a day from Rosh Chodesh Ellul 5766 through Yom Kippur 5767. All chagim posts here, including one post a day from the first day of Sukkot through Simchat Torah 5767. (Each of . . . more »

Judith | 10/06/06 at 05:37 PM | 1 Comments | 7 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

June 01, 2006

Standing at Sinai

Tonight night begins the Festival of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.After we have accomplished all we can through our own initiative, then we are worthy to receive a gift (matan) from Above which we . . . more »

Judith | 06/01/06 at 03:36 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 31, 2006

Day 49 of counting the Omer

The countdown from Pesach to Shavuot is almost over, the journey from Egypt to Sinai is almost complete: Shavuot begins tomorrow night. Are you ready to accept the Torah? I have been remiss in not sharing with you other omer . . . more »

Judith | 05/31/06 at 11:07 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 30, 2006

Day 48 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Yesod of Malchut: Bonding in Nobility. Examine the bonding aspect of your sovereignty. Healthy independence should not prevent you from bonding with another person. . . . more »

Judith | 05/30/06 at 11:46 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 29, 2006

Day 47 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Hod of Malchut: Humility in Nobility. Sovereignty is G-d's gift to each individual. Hod of Malchut is the humble appreciation of this exceptional gift. . . . more »

Judith | 05/29/06 at 11:03 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 28, 2006

Day 46 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Netzach of Malchut: Endurance in Nobility. A person's dignity and a leader's success are tested by his endurance level. Will and determination reflect the . . . more »

Judith | 05/28/06 at 11:00 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 27, 2006

Day 45 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Tiferet of Malchut: Compassion in Nobility. A good leader is a compassionate one. Is my compassion compromised because of my authority? Do I realize . . . more »

Judith | 05/27/06 at 10:56 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 26, 2006

Day 44 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Gevurah of Malchut: Discipline in Nobility. Although sovereignty is loving, it needs to be balanced with discipline. Effective leadership is built on authority and . . . more »

Judith | 05/26/06 at 10:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 25, 2006

Day 43 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) We have left the week of Yesod and entered the final week of Malchut, leading to the receiving of the Torah on Shavuot. Chesed . . . more »

Judith | 05/25/06 at 10:48 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 24, 2006

Day 42 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Malchut of Yesod: Nobility in Bonding. Bonding must enhance a person's sovereignty. It should nurture and strengthen your own dignity and the dignity of . . . more »

Judith | 05/24/06 at 11:25 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 23, 2006

Day 41 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Yesod of Yesod: Bonding in Bonding. Every person needs and has the capacity to bond with other people, with significant undertakings and with meaningful . . . more »

Judith | 05/23/06 at 11:23 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 22, 2006

Day 40 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Hod of Yesod: Humility of Bonding. Humility is crucial in healthy bonding. Arrogance divides people. Preoccupation with your own desires and needs separates you . . . more »

Judith | 05/22/06 at 11:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 21, 2006

Day 39 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Netzach of Yesod: Endurance in Bonding. An essential component of bonding is its endurance; its ability to withstand challenges and setbacks. Without endurance there . . . more »

Judith | 05/21/06 at 11:48 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 20, 2006

Day 38 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Tiferet of Yesod: Compassion in Bonding. Bonding needs to be not only loving but also compassionate, feeling your friend's pain and empathizing with him. . . . more »

Judith | 05/20/06 at 11:17 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 19, 2006

Day 37 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Gevurah of Yesod: Discipline of Bonding. Bonding must be done with discretion and careful consideration with whom and with what you bond. Even the . . . more »

Judith | 05/19/06 at 11:15 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 18, 2006

Day 36 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) We have left the week of Hod and entered the week of Yesod. Chesed of Yesod: Lovingkindness of Bonding. Love is the heart of . . . more »

Judith | 05/18/06 at 11:47 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 17, 2006

Day 35 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Malchut of Hod: Nobility in Humility. Walking humbly is walking tall. Dignity is the essence of humility and modesty. The splendor of humility is . . . more »

Judith | 05/17/06 at 11:45 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 16, 2006

Day 34 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) - Yesod of Hod: Bonding in Humility. Humility should not be a lonely experience. It ought to result in deep bonding and commitment. There . . . more »

Judith | 05/16/06 at 11:42 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 15, 2006

Day 33 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Hod of Hod: Humility in Humility. Everyone has humility and modesty in their hearts, the question is the measure and manner in which one . . . more »

Judith | 05/15/06 at 11:38 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 14, 2006

Day 32 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Netzach of Hod: Endurance in Humility. Examine the strength and endurance of your humility. Does my humility withstand challenges? Am I firm in my . . . more »

Judith | 05/14/06 at 11:54 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 13, 2006

Day 31 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Tiferet of Hod: Compassion in Humility. Examine if your humility is compassionate. Does my humility cause me to be self-contained and anti-social or does . . . more »

Judith | 05/13/06 at 11:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 12, 2006

Day 30 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Gevurah of Hod: Discipline in Humility. Humility must be disciplined and focused. When should my humility cause me to compromise and when not? In . . . more »

Judith | 05/12/06 at 08:48 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 11, 2006

Day 29 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) We have left the week of Netzach and entered the week of Hod. Chesed of Hod: Lovingkindness in Humility. Examine the love in your . . . more »

Judith | 05/11/06 at 11:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 10, 2006

Day 28 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Malchus of Netzach: Nobility in Endurance. Sovereignty is the cornerstone of endurance. Endurance that encompasses the previous six qualities is indeed a tribute and . . . more »

Judith | 05/10/06 at 11:48 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 09, 2006

Day 27 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Yesod of Netzach: Bonding in Endurance. Bonding is an essential quality of endurance. It expresses your unwavering commitment to the person or experience you . . . more »

Judith | 05/09/06 at 11:46 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 08, 2006

Day 26 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Hod of Netzach: Humility in Endurance. Yielding - which is a result of humility - is an essential element of enduring. Standing fast can . . . more »

Judith | 05/08/06 at 11:45 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 07, 2006

Day 25 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Netzach of Netzach: Endurance in Endurance. Everyone has willpower and determination. We have the capacity to endure much more than we can imagine, and . . . more »

Judith | 05/07/06 at 11:43 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 06, 2006

Day 24 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Tiferet of Netzach: Compassion in Endurance. Healthy endurance, directed to develop good qualities and modifying bad ones, will always be compassionate. The compassion of . . . more »

Judith | 05/06/06 at 11:42 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 05, 2006

Day 23 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Gevurah of Netzach: Discipline in Endurance. Examine the discipline of your endurance. Endurance must be directed toward productive goals and expressed in a constructive . . . more »

Judith | 05/05/06 at 11:52 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 04, 2006

Day 22 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) We have left the week of Gevurah and entered the week of Netzach. Chesed of Netzach: Lovingkindness in Endurance. For anything to endure it . . . more »

Judith | 05/04/06 at 11:40 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 03, 2006

Day 21 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Malchut of Tiferet: Nobility in Compassion. Examine the dignity of your compassion. For compassion to be complete (and enhance the other six aspects of . . . more »

Judith | 05/03/06 at 11:55 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 02, 2006

Day 20 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Day 20 - Yesod of Tiferet: Bonding in Compassion. For compassion to be fully realized, it needs bonding. It requires creating a channel between . . . more »

Judith | 05/02/06 at 11:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 01, 2006

Day 19 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Day 19 - Hod of Tiferet: Humility in Compassion. If compassion is not to be condescending, it must include humility. Hod is recognizing that . . . more »

Judith | 05/01/06 at 11:51 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 30, 2006

Day 18 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Netzach of Tiferet: Endurance in Compassion. Is my compassion enduring and consistent? Is it reliable or whimsical? Does it prevail among other forces in . . . more »

Judith | 04/30/06 at 11:50 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 29, 2006

Day 17 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Tiferet of Tiferet: Compassion in Compassion. True compassion is limitless. It is not an extension of your needs and defined by your limited perspective. . . . more »

Judith | 04/29/06 at 11:57 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 28, 2006

Day 16 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Gevurah of Tiferet: Discipline in Compassion. For compassion to be effective and healthy it needs to be disciplined and focused. It requires discretion both . . . more »

Judith | 04/28/06 at 11:56 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 27, 2006

Day 15 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) We have left the week of Gevurah and entered the week of Tiferet. Chesed of Tiferet: Lovingkindness in Compassion. Examine the love aspect of . . . more »

Judith | 04/27/06 at 11:32 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Day 14 of counting the Omer

Yes, I'm running late. Counting the Omer correctly takes a lot of focus, unless you are davening maariv every evening. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Malchut of Gevurah: Nobility . . . more »

Judith | 04/27/06 at 11:31 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 25, 2006

Day 13 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Yesod of Gevurah: Bonding in Discipline. For discipline to be effective it must be coupled with commitment and bonding. Both in disciplining yourself and . . . more »

Judith | 04/25/06 at 11:30 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 24, 2006

Day 12 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Hod of Gevurah: Humility in Discipline. The results of discipline and might without humility are obvious. The greatest catastrophes have occurred as a result . . . more »

Judith | 04/24/06 at 11:28 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Day 11 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Netzach of Gevurah: Endurance in Discipline. Effective discipline must be enduring and tenacious. Is my discipline consistent or only when forced? Do I follow . . . more »

Judith | 04/24/06 at 01:26 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 22, 2006

Day 10 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Tiferet of Gevurah: Compassion in Discipline. Underlying and driving discipline must not only be love, but also compassion. Compassion is unconditional love. It is . . . more »

Judith | 04/22/06 at 11:24 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 21, 2006

Day 9 of counting the Omer

Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the omer here.) Gevurah of Gevurah: Discipline in Discipline. Examine the discipline factor of discipline: Is my discipline reasonably restrained or is it excessive? Do I have . . . more »

Judith | 04/21/06 at 06:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 20, 2006

Shavuot countdown: Day 8 of counting the Omer

Pesach is over, but the omer counting continues for another 6 weeks. We have left the week of Chesed and now enter the week of Gevurah. (More on counting the omer here.) Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of . . . more »

Judith | 04/20/06 at 10:40 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 19, 2006

Pesach Day 8, Shavuot countdown: Day 7 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries here. More on counting the omer here. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: Malchut of Chesed: Nobility in Lovingkindness. Mature love comes with - and brings - personal dignity. An intimate feeling of . . . more »

Judith | 04/19/06 at 11:39 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Let my people go!

All Pesach entries here. I was amiss in not mentioning before the Velveteen Rabbi's wonderful haggadah, in the fine tradition of activist haggadahs, marbled with contemporary poetry, which emphasize the theme of political liberation. Save a copy for next year. . . . more »

Judith | 04/19/06 at 10:18 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 18, 2006

Pesach Day 7, Shavuot countdown: Day 6 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries here. More on counting the omer here. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer:Yesod of Chesed: Bonding in Lovingkindness. For love to be eternal it requires bonding. A sense of togetherness which actualizes the . . . more »

Judith | 04/18/06 at 11:36 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 17, 2006

Pesach Day 6, Shavuot countdown: Day 5 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries here. More on counting the omer here. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: Hod of Chesed: Humility in Lovingkindness. You can often get locked in love and be unable to forgive your beloved . . . more »

Judith | 04/17/06 at 09:28 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 16, 2006

Pesach Day 5, Shavuot countdown: Day 4 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries here. More on counting the omer here. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer:Netzach of Chesed: Endurance in Lovingkindness. Is my love enduring? Does it withstand challenges and setbacks? Do I give and withhold . . . more »

Judith | 04/16/06 at 11:39 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 15, 2006

To Eat or Not to Eat Kitniot on Passover?

All Pesach entries are here. Dovi Harel, an Ashkenazi man married to a Sephardi woman, motivated by the difficulty of eating at his in-laws on Passover (because of conflicting Passover traditions), proposes a people's revolution to get rid of the . . . more »

Alcibiades | 04/15/06 at 11:39 PM | 8 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Pesach Day 4, Shavuot countdown: Day 3 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries here. More on counting the omer here. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: (More on counting the Omer here.) Day 3 - Tiferet of Chesed: Compassion, Harmony in Lovingkindness. Harmony in love is . . . more »

Judith | 04/15/06 at 10:22 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 14, 2006

Pesach Day 3, Shavuot countdown: Day 2 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries here. More on counting the omer here. Rabbi Simon Jacobson's meditation for this day of the Omer: Gevurah of Chesed: Discipline in Lovingkindness. Healthy love must always include an element of discipline and discernment; a degree of . . . more »

Judith | 04/14/06 at 10:02 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

They tried to kill us, they failed, let's eat . . .

. . . with the emphasis on "eat." All Pesach entries here. Treppenwitz got a taste (literally) of the ancient Pascal lamb sacrifice. Adloyada on the decision to buy your own Pesach ritual objects and dishes as a single woman, . . . more »

Judith | 04/14/06 at 03:01 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 13, 2006

Pesach Day 2, Shavuot countdown: Day 1 of counting the Omer

All Pesach entries are here. The 2nd night of Pesach we begin the mystical, meditative discipline of counting the Omer, which re-enacts on a spiritual level each step in the journey from the liberation at the Red Sea to the . . . more »

Judith | 04/13/06 at 10:01 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

More blooming seders

17 ways you know Pesach is coming in Jerusalem. Why is the Hallel on Pesach night different than all other Hallels? Deconstruct this phrase: An Aramean destroyed my father. And then there are the four sons, er, children, er, archetypes, . . . more »

Judith | 04/13/06 at 08:34 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 12, 2006

Recycling Last Year's Passover Hidush

Since recycling old news into big stories is the current style, in lieu of something new, here's last year's thought about the structure of the Haggadah: So last night at the Seder as we were reading through the Haggadah, I . . . more »

Alcibiades | 04/12/06 at 10:40 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 11, 2006

Pesach songs

All Pesach-related entries here. Mizrachi Pesach melodies Hassidic Pesach melodies. 12 versions of Echad Mi Yodea, from Morocco to Yemen to Hungary to Persia. . . . more »

Judith | 04/11/06 at 07:58 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Let a thousand seders bloom

All Pesach-related entries are here. If you are still not sure just what you are going to do at your seder 40 hours from now, here are some resources (well, you can use them for the second night too; gives . . . more »

Judith | 04/11/06 at 12:27 AM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 10, 2006

Today in Passover Searches..

I've had some interesting searches recently, including: Passover+Kosher+ Marijuana And various forms of a classic from last year: Why is Coriander Considered Kitniot? Kitniot is an grouping of food that is not chometz, which is forbidden on Passover, but which . . . more »

Alcibiades | 04/10/06 at 11:48 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

If the Passover Story Were Reported by The NY Times

I got this via email a few years ago. Although a few of the names have changed, unfortunately it hasn't aged much. The cycle of violence between the Jews and the Egyptians continues with no end in sight in Egypt. . . . more »

Judith | 04/10/06 at 05:21 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 07, 2005

Simu Shemen

This year Hanukkah begins as Christmas ends, on the evening of December 25th. It would be unseemly to clear away the White House Christmas decorations that quickly, so the Presidential menorah lighting was bumped up a few weeks. (photographer: Carrie . . . more »

Judith | 12/07/05 at 06:55 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 25, 2005

Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace

[ UPDATE: Barefoot Jewess on dancing with the Torah (and touching on what I love about Jewish men). ] Here in NYC we are putting on our long johns and Goretex and woolly mitts so we can dance in the . . . more »

Judith | 10/25/05 at 02:26 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 24, 2005

The final seal

The culmination of all our rain-making perambulations took place this morning, and the 5766 Book of Life has been signed, sealed, and delivered . . . but wait! It's not over yet! Tomorrow we get to pray for rain again. . . . more »

Judith | 10/24/05 at 02:31 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Bar Kochba was into Sukkot, and more

Before Zman Simchateynu leaves us to the gloom of cold and snow and shorter daylight hours, some more Sukkot links: Pesach is particularist, Sukkot is universal. The usual Jewish dialectic. Imshin's Sukkot holiday in the Gallilee, with photos. Via Miriam, . . . more »

Judith | 10/24/05 at 02:21 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 20, 2005

Pri Eytz Hadar

I've never held a caption contest before, but I couldn't think of anything to say about this photo, so have at it. (Rather, I immediately thought of ten different mutually contradictory things to say, and I can't pick just one.) . . . more »

Judith | 10/20/05 at 01:55 PM | 7 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Sukkah-hopping

All Sukkot entries here. All Yamim Noraim entries here. The halacha of sukkah-building, channeled through Dr Seuss. (via Rabbi Fleischmann) Here's how the Samaritans do it: This photo and more on the Samaritans by Muqata. Here's how the Brits do . . . more »

Judith | 10/20/05 at 12:08 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 16, 2005

Sukkot shopping

Sukkot begins tomorrow night, and this morning I joined an expedition from the Upper West Side to the Lower East Side to buy the arba minim. Many people purchase sets of the appropriate items in Judaica stores or through . . . more »

Judith | 10/16/05 at 11:36 PM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 22, 2005

Filler

In the pipeline: updates on Pesach, Columbia U, divestment-from-Israel initiatives, and more. Right now I have some sort of stomach bug and I am trying to sleep it off so I can enjoy the seders tomorrow and Sunday. In . . . more »

Judith | 04/22/05 at 05:17 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 11, 2004

More Hanukkah

A hole in the family. The latest permutations of sofganiyot. Hanukkah as an adult holiday. UPDATE: More Hanukkah communing between the living and the dead in the Avrech household. UPDATE: I almost went to this but it was dark . . . more »

Judith | 12/11/04 at 10:06 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 10, 2004

Hanukkiyah tour

Last year's entry. Menorah-lighting in Oxford. Meryl's hanukkiyah. Lynn's ASCII hanukkiyah. . . . more »

Judith | 12/10/04 at 04:15 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 09, 2004

A political Hanukkah

Audacious Judith, that's me. . . . Last year's posts on the Maccabees and the joys of agency. And, sure, let's have a tie-in to this season's examples of freedom on the march. The main theme of Hanukkah is . . . more »

Judith | 12/09/04 at 01:49 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 08, 2004

More stale Hanukkah posts from last year

My minyan isn't meeting on Shabbat Chanukkah this year. . . . more »

Judith | 12/08/04 at 04:42 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

From the Oval Office

President Bush's 2004 Hanukkah proclamation: . . . more »

Judith | 12/08/04 at 11:55 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

December 07, 2004

Dedicated

Hanukkah starts tonight. I will continue my lazy ways and refer you to my series of Hanukkah posts from last year. Start here. . . . more »

Judith | 12/07/04 at 09:47 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 09, 2004

Taba

Simchat Torah is the glorious culmination of a week of what is supposed to be unadulterated joy and relaxation at completing the hard work of self-examination and teshuvah of Ellul and the Yamim Noraim. Of course (and it is . . . more »

Judith | 10/09/04 at 08:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 06, 2004

Erev Shemini Atzeret

Gotta remember to light another yahrzeit candle. . . . Last year's posts for for Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, and subjecting my unsuspecting aunt to 6 hours of frenzied singing and dancing. William discovers the adult joys of . . . more »

Judith | 10/06/04 at 04:07 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

October 05, 2004

The last chance to slip through the gates

Last Saturday, the Shabbat of Sukkot we chanted Kohelet, and a year and a half ago I dug up quite a few links on that megillah when I was hosting "Carnival of the Vanities" and wanted to milk the . . . more »

Judith | 10/05/04 at 03:22 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

September 30, 2004

Z'man Simchateinu

Sukkot is also known as "the season of our joy"; in fact, we are commanded to be happy during Sukkot. So here is an old corny Jewish joke to give you a giggle: . . . more »

Judith | 09/30/04 at 02:29 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

September 29, 2004

Sukkot begins tonight

Today is the secular anniversary of my uncle's death; the yahrzeit is on Simchat Torah. My Sukkot post from last year. A fall harvest ritual from Temple days, being revived by the New Shul. I wish I'd seen this . . . more »

Judith | 09/29/04 at 03:41 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

May 24, 2004

Virtual Shavuot pajama party

You need a certain critical mass of people (plus the will) for an all night tikkun, and Naomi Chana's and Rachel's respective congregations just don't have it. To their credit both of them are loyally helping lead their own . . . more »

Judith | 05/24/04 at 09:51 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 13, 2004

Bamidbar

Pesach ended today at sundown, and here's an essay on one of the seder rituals to mark the occasion. (Today is the 8th day of counting the omer.) UPDATE: Patrick is also celebrating the end of Pesach, with bread . . . more »

Judith | 04/13/04 at 11:01 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 11, 2004

While it's still Pesach. . . .

Matzoh jokes! . . . more »

William | 04/11/04 at 01:21 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 06, 2004

D'oh!

Tonight at sundown the second day of Pesach begins, which means it's time to start counting the Omer, the "measured" days between Pesach and Shavuot. Worried that you might forget to count, and thereby miss out on the mitzvah? Now . . . more »

Judith | 04/06/04 at 04:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 05, 2004

Ma nishtana ha leila ha ze

Where are you for seder this year? asks Imshin. I am an example of successful seder matching, being a guest at two different homes of shul members. Even people I know, and a short subway ride away, and who are . . . more »

Judith | 04/05/04 at 03:53 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 04, 2004

Pesach begins tomorrow night

Passover: Why do we call it that? "Why name a holiday after one part of a single plague," asks Rabbi Max Weiman. "What about the other nine? What about the leaving of slavery for freedom? What about the splitting . . . more »

Rachel | 04/04/04 at 07:55 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

April 01, 2004

Mmm. Matzah

I just went to my first community matzah bake at my shul. Making matzah is easy and fun. (We decided ours was made under "casual rabbinic supervision," since our rabbi was our enthusiastic matzah-baking instructor.) Some web-searching has revealed . . . more »

Rachel | 04/01/04 at 08:52 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

Hannukah: "like a Western!"

Mel Gibson, already getting lashed by many Jews for his film "The Passion of the Christ," recently talked about tackling a more distinctly Jewish film--one about the festival of Hanukkah. "The Maccabees' family stood up and made war," said Gibson, . . . more »

William | 04/01/04 at 08:29 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim

February 01, 2004

Bloggers of the Book, cont.

Naomi Chana's project, a virtual Jewish book discussion group by blog, is finally getting underway. More details here. (Also she's got a bunch of new posts up and writes one of the best Jewish blogs out there.) . . . more »

Judith | 02/01/04 at 09:29 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Chagim