October 02, 2007

Rain

Rabbi Baruch Melman at Sefer Chabibi:

No more Tal. No more the prayers for dew.
We pray for the good stuff. Rain.
As farmers, we need the rain to ensure plentiful crops.
As herdsmen, we need good pasture to ensure good wool.

For we are always connected to the ryhthm of seeding and harvesting. Gen 8:22 " ...for seedtime and harvest time, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall never cease from the land."

Rain spells the onset of winter, which means the end of summer.
Spring and fall are luxuries. We're just guaranteed the basic version: summer and winter.

According to The Moody Blues, Timothy Leary had already died, and yet I ran into him at a whole earth conference in the early '90's ...

Read the rest at the link, and don't forget to bookmark Sefer Chabibi Deepest Torah on your browser.

Continue reading "Rain"

Asher Abrams | 10/02/07 at 10:31 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 21, 2007

Im ha-avaryonim

More High Holiday posts from last year, with music from both the Mizrachi and Ashkenazi traditions. (Click on the blue arrow for the mp3s.)

The common sentiment of Shma Koli
("hear my cries") has text from a 17th c. Yemenite rabbi.
Shlomo and Eitan Katz sing "HaNeshama Lach" ("The soul is yours")
written for Robert Avrech's son Ariel, who died of pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 22. You can learn more about Ariel here. The text is from the Maariv service on Yom Kippur, after Kol Nidre (words at the end of this post).

I've been posting Rabbi Alan Lew's High Holiday sermons here for the past few years. They never fail to move me. Below are two about Kol Nidre. (Other Yamin Noraim posts here.)

Continue reading "Im ha-avaryonim"

Judith | 09/21/07 at 04:21 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 12, 2007

The Birthday of the World

This was one of my Rosh Hashanah posts from last year. Teshuva contemplations from 2006, every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme.

As Asher noted in his contemplation of Rav Kook and evolutionary theory, Rosh haShanah - literally "Head of the Year" - is traditionally thought of as the birthday of the world. (Rosh Hashanah is also one of four New Years on the Jewish calendar.)

This day the world was called into being
this day all the creatures of the universe stand in judgement before You as children or as servants.
If as children, be compassionate with us as a father is compassionate to his children.
If as servants, we call on You to be gracious to us and merciful in Your judgement of us,
O revered and holy One.

-- from the Rosh Hashanah liturgy, sung after each set of shofar blasts.

Rabbi Alan Lew notices a heaven-shaped void between an ending and a beginning, reflected in the annual cycle of Torah readings:

Continue reading "The Birthday of the World"

Judith | 09/12/07 at 02:55 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Unetaneh Tokef

A post from last year's Yamim Noraim series.

Rosh Hashanah starts this evening, and once again we wrestle with the thorny theology of Unetaneh Tokef. It reverberates in our hearts throughout the 10 days of teshuvah, and we also recite it on Yom Kippur.

Leonard Cohen - scion of rabbis - reworked this prayer as a somber bluesey number, here in a live jazzy interpretation with long sax solos by Solly Rollins:

Paul links to two scholarly articles on the real history of the piyyut as opposed to the legend, and some liguistic investigation which supports a modification of its apparent theology.

Rachel teases out more subtle readings than seemingly linear cause and effect, through poetic interpretation:

Continue reading "Unetaneh Tokef"

Judith | 09/12/07 at 12:11 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 13, 2006

A Rosh Hashanah musical encounter

This really belongs back with the Yamim Noraim posts but I just saw it yesterday.

Orthomom:

I was walking to shul this morning with the two youngest Orthokids and we stopped at an intersection to wait for the light to change. As we waited, a ginormous black Cadillac Escalade, all tricked out with shiny spinning rims, glides by, windows down, music blasting. The song? Matisyahu's "Youth". Let me tell you, I caught quite the look of bewilderment on second-to-youngest Orthokid's face.

The world's a strange, strange place, my friends.

Judith | 10/13/06 at 04:03 PM | 0 Comments | 5 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 01, 2006

Tishrei 10: Avodah

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.)

Meir Banai sings "Shar ha Rachamim" ("Gate of Compassion/Mercy")
(Thanks to Julia Andelman for sharing this with her class.)

Two parables to take you into Yom Kippur . . . .

Continue reading "Tishrei 10: Avodah"

Judith | 10/01/06 at 06:00 PM | 0 Comments | 9 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

G'mar hatimah tovah

and an easy fast to all the Jews out there.

Alcibiades | 10/01/06 at 02:29 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Tishrei 9: Kol Nidre - coming home

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.)

From yet one more Kehilat Hadar song class, Julia Andelman's melody
for a piyyut from the Ma'ariv service of Yom Kippur. Translation at the end of this post.***

Laws of the seudah hamafseket, the final meal before the fast. Unlike the least meal before Tisha B'Av, we are supposed to feast before Yom Kippur begins.

This article about the history of "Kol Nidrei" begins with the famous anecdote about Franz Rosensweig changing his mind about converting to Christianity, after a stop at a small Berlin shtibele to hear the Kol Nidre service.

This brief acknowledgment of the difficulty of keeping our promises, sung three times to a heartwrenching melody, has a power way beyond the obvious. Like Rosenswieg, Rabbi Alan Lew's own journey back to Judaism was triggered by a chance hearing of the Kol Nidre melody. But the recollection moves on to a moving meditation on the anguish of imperfection and impermanence:

Continue reading "Tishrei 9: Kol Nidre - coming home"

Judith | 10/01/06 at 02:26 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 30, 2006

Tishrei 8: Shabbat Shuva

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.)

Richard Kaplan sings his own composition
to one of the inserts in the amidah for the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. (Available on the amazing tour through the world of Jewish music Tuning the Soul)

"Zochreynu l'chaim, melech hafeytz, bachaim. V'chotveynu b'sefer hachaim, l'ma'ancha elohim chaim." ("Remember us for life, Ruler who delights in life, and inscribe us in the Book of Life so that we may live worthily for Your sake, God of life.")

If you don't attend daily minyan, you only read these once, on Shabbat Shuva. (Lynn and Asher both have thoughts about the parasha for Shabbat Shuva.)

If you do attend daily minyan, you get to chant Avinu Malkeynu on the non-Shabbat days, and again several times on Yom Kippur. Last year Naomi Chana was handed an assignment to chant Avinu Malkeinu for her then-shul. The results, and much more on suburban liberal Jewish ritual experimentation. (And a good example of why Naomi is not at that shul, pardon me, Temple, anymore.)

Judith | 09/30/06 at 08:29 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 29, 2006

Get your Yom Kippur piñatas here!

While supplies last.

Asher Abrams | 09/29/06 at 09:34 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 28, 2006

Tishrei 7: Kol Nidre - speaking true

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.)

From the Mizrachi tradition, the common sentiment of Shma Koli
("hear my cries") has text from a 17th c. Yemenite rabbi.

A good detailed overview of the rituals and laws and meaning of Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Alan Lew on the responsibility of speech, and the role that this concept plays in the annulment of vows on Kol Nidre:

Continue reading "Tishrei 7: Kol Nidre - speaking true"

Judith | 09/28/06 at 11:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 27, 2006

Tishrei 5: Soul and body are Yours

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.)

Shlomo and Eitan Katz sing "HaNeshama Lach" ("The soul is yours")

This song was written for Robert Avrech's son Ariel, who died of pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 22. You can learn more about Ariel here.

The text is part of this section from the Maariv service from Yom Kippur, after Kol Nidre:

Continue reading "Tishrei 5: Soul and body are Yours"

Judith | 09/27/06 at 11:49 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 26, 2006

Tishrei 4: God that does wondrously

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.)

At the end of Ne'ilah (the last service of Yom Kippur, and the conclusion of the High Holy Days) the shofar is blown 100 times.
[My proof that no one reads these things: no one called me on this. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe I was thinking about the shofar being blown 100 times during Rosh Hashanah. Er, the shofar is blown once at the end of Yom Kippur - a giant humungous tekiah gedola.]
From a live performance in 2001 at the Cactus Cafe in Austin TX, Divahn performs an Iranian version of El Nora Alila
a piyyut (liturgical poem) for the Ne'ilah service, at the end of Yom Kippur. The buzzing sound at the beginning is Lauren D'Albert's dijeridoo, which looks like a five-foot-tall clay shofar. (You can hear a sample of the studio version on their site, where you can buy their amazing debut CD, and the new one when it comes out. And check out the calendar for performances in the New York area.) Partial text for El Nora Alila at the end of this post. ***

Apropos of Benjamin's paean to Jewish sexuality - which included references to hermaphrodites and the sages' ease with them - and apropos to this season . . . Micah Gil, at the spiritually provocative site Killing the Buddha, asks: How do you make a shofar? And more importantly, can a tranny blow one? He continues:

Continue reading "Tishrei 4: God that does wondrously"

Judith | 09/26/06 at 09:11 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Ashamnu, the Kinky Jews' Version

Our new pals at Kinky Jews have their distinctive take on the Days of Awe. This Saturday the group will have its "Ashamnu - Repent Thy Sins!" party in New Jersey. Meant for Jews under 40 (darn, I'm too old!), the event will no doubt attract New York's more adventurous Jews to Jerusalem on the Hudson, a/k/a Jersey City, for, well, just look at the Kinky Jews website for details.

In the mean time, let me know your favorite biblical template for the practice of Kinky Judaism. Would you like to re-enact Moses and the mean Egyptian overlord? Or is Samson and Delilah a more appealing model? Let's just leave the Golden Calf out of it. Kesher Talk demands a response!

Van | 09/26/06 at 09:15 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Rav Kook on Yom Kippur: The Value of Life

Via Rabbi Chanan Morrison on the Rav Kook List.

Yom Kippur: The Value of Life
=============================

We conclude the "al cheit" confessional prayers of Yom
Kippur, the Day of Atonement, with the following admission:

"My God! Before I was formed, I was of no worth. And now
that I have been formed, it is as if I was not formed."

This prayer needs to be examined. Before I was formed, of
course I was of no worth - I didn't exist yet! And after I
was formed - why should the prayer say that it is "as if I
was not formed"? Do I exist or not?

Continue reading "Rav Kook on Yom Kippur: The Value of Life"

Asher Abrams | 09/26/06 at 02:27 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 25, 2006

Stephen Colbert explains the 10 days of repentance to you

Call 1-800- כלי צדיך. Operators are standing by. This one is pretty cute: . . . more »

Judith | 09/25/06 at 10:49 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Tishrei 3: Blowing the shofar at the Western Wall

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 | 09/25/06 at 04:32 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 24, 2006

Tishrei 2: You who build the altars now to sacrifice these children

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 | 09/24/06 at 11:40 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 22, 2006

- A Good and Sweet New Year

- A Good and Sweet New Year to everyone. See you back here after the weekend after much praying and eating and socializing. . . . more »

Alcibiades | 09/22/06 at 06:30 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Hear the trumpets. Hear the pipers.

Okay, so it's a little anthropomorphic. I can live with that. My theme music for Rosh Hashanah this year. . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 09/22/06 at 06:29 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Tishri 1: Unetanetokef

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 | 09/22/06 at 06:05 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 21, 2006

Ellul 29: HaYom Harat Olam

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to Matisyahu. Every day we have been posting Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide . . . more »

Judith | 09/21/06 at 11:25 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 20, 2006

Rav Kook on the Teshuvah of Rosh Hashanah

The "Teshuvah" of Rosh Hashanah =============================== [from the Rav Kook mailing list] The major theme of the month of Elul and the High Holiday season is "teshuvah" - repentance and return to God. Yet if we examine the Rosh Hashanah . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 09/20/06 at 08:59 AM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Ellul 26, selichot 4: Yehi ratzon milfanechah

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." This week of selichot coincides with the last week of Rabbi Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah. Resolution. - to take . . . more »

Judith | 09/20/06 at 12:42 AM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 18, 2006

Creation

Rosh ha-Shanah comes this weekend, and although we won't be reading the creation story in Genesis (parashath Bereshith) until next month, it's not too early to start pondering the meaning of Creation and the role of G-d in the universe. . . . more »

Asher Abrams | 09/18/06 at 11:35 PM | 0 Comments | 3 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 17, 2006

Ellul 24, Selichot 2: A spiritual emergency

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." The last week of Rabbi Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah has the theme of resolving to effect a change this . . . more »

Judith | 09/17/06 at 11:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 16, 2006

Ellul 23, Selichot 1: He will answer us

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Since the Ashkenazi selichot services begin on Saturday night, and Rosh Hashanah begins on Shabbat this year, we have . . . more »

Judith | 09/16/06 at 09:23 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 15, 2006

Preparing for Teshuva: Resolution

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to Matisyahu. Every day we have been posting Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide . . . more »

Judith | 09/15/06 at 06:46 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 14, 2006

Ellul 21: Too many piyyutim

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to Matisyahu. Every day we have been posting Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide . . . more »

Judith | 09/14/06 at 11:01 PM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 13, 2006

Ellul 20: Derech Eretz Kadma L’Torah

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to Matisyahu. Every day we have been posting Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide . . . more »

Judith | 09/13/06 at 11:22 PM | 3 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 12, 2006

Ellul 19: Life of the Worlds

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to Matisyahu. Every day we have been posting Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide . . . more »

Judith | 09/12/06 at 11:47 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 11, 2006

Ellul 18 : Rise up to your higher power

All 9-11 entries here. Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry includes an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to Matisyahu. Every day we have been posting Rabbi . . . more »

Judith | 09/11/06 at 10:36 PM | 1 Comments | 4 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 10, 2006

Ellul 17: Completely unprepared on 9-11

All 9-11 entries here. Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. Each entry also contains an mp3 of a Jewish song related to the theme of the post. Genres range from Iraqi folk musicians to the Klezmatics. Rabbi Amy . . . more »

Judith | 09/10/06 at 11:24 PM | 1 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 08, 2006

Shabbat Ellul 16: Lama tishon?

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah using the text of Psalm 27 focuses this week on Rejection. Richard Kaplan . . . more »

Judith | 09/08/06 at 07:11 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Preparing for Teshuva: Rejection

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah picks a different theme for each week of Ellul and relates it to . . . more »

Judith | 09/08/06 at 04:13 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 07, 2006

Ellul 14: For the sake of my family and friends

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on "Regret." She points out, in her remarks on the . . . more »

Judith | 09/07/06 at 10:22 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 06, 2006

Ellul 13: Visiting the cemetery

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah using the text of Psalm 27 focuses this week on "Regret: Shlomo Carlebach's . . . more »

Judith | 09/06/06 at 10:15 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 05, 2006

Ellul 12: A cry of anguish

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah using the text of Psalm 27 focuses this week on "Regret": Ebn Leader . . . more »

Judith | 09/05/06 at 10:31 PM | 0 Comments | 3 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 04, 2006

Ellul 11: Stuff happens

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah using the text of Psalm 27 focuses this week on Regret. Devarim 32:39 . . . more »

Judith | 09/04/06 at 07:17 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 03, 2006

Ellul 10: How to make it new

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah using the text of Psalm 27 focuses this week on "Regret." Chava Alberstein, . . . more »

Judith | 09/03/06 at 10:47 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 02, 2006

Preparing for Teshuva: Regret

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah using the text of Psalm 27 focuses this week on "Regret: . . . . . more »

Judith | 09/02/06 at 10:48 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 01, 2006

Shabbat Ellul 8: Ani l'dodi v'dodi li

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on Regret. But let's delay our theme of regret for . . . more »

Judith | 09/01/06 at 06:02 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 31, 2006

Ellul 7: Ellul for the whole family

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's Ellul guide to teshuvah using Psalm 27 focuses this week on Responsibility. Next week's theme: Regret. . . . more »

Judith | 08/31/06 at 11:15 PM | 2 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 30, 2006

Ellul 6: Aish Tamid

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on Responsibility. From Live at Stubbs, Matisyahu sings Aish Tamid. . . . more »

Judith | 08/30/06 at 09:51 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 29, 2006

Ellul 5: Hin’ni muchana u-m’zumenet

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on Responsibility. Alain Chekroun sings Psalm 121. Appropriate for this . . . more »

Judith | 08/29/06 at 09:41 PM | 0 Comments | 5 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 28, 2006

Ellul 4: Whom shall I fear?

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on Responsibility. "V'khol Ma'aminim" is a piyyut (liturgical poem) sung . . . more »

Judith | 08/28/06 at 11:30 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 27, 2006

Ellul 3: Shevet achim gam yachad

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on Responsibility. I am reposting some Ellul musings from last . . . more »

Judith | 08/27/06 at 11:40 PM | 1 Comments | 4 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 26, 2006

Ellul 2: Back up the Mountain

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on "Responsibility." I believe this song, Shar Harachamim (Gate of . . . more »

Judith | 08/26/06 at 10:09 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

August 25, 2006

Hallel and Shabbat music

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Rabbi Amy Scheinerman's guide to teshuvah focuses this week on Responsibility. In honor of the day, some Rosh Chodesh . . . more »

Judith | 08/25/06 at 06:41 PM | 2 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Preparing for Teshuva: Responsibility

Teshuva contemplations every day until Yom Kippur here. You can also find the link on the sidebar under "Yamim Noraim." Last night began the first week of Ellul, the month of self-assessment before Rosh Hashanah. The introduction to Rabbi . . . more »

Judith | 08/25/06 at 03:15 PM | 0 Comments | 8 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Rosh Chodesh Ellul began last night

The second day of Rosh Chodesh Ellul began last night - the longest weekday shacharit of the year was this morning: it's the beginning of a new month, so you've got a Torah reading, musaf, and hallel. You say the . . . more »

Judith | 08/25/06 at 03:01 PM | 0 Comments | 10 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

My 4th Blogiversary

I joined Kesher Talk on Rosh Chodesh Ellul 2002. Which was during the first week of August that year. So today is my fourth blogiversary on the Jewish calendar. . . . more »

Judith | 08/25/06 at 11:33 AM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 19, 2005

Post Yom Kippur thoughts

Elie and Robert aren't sure they are ready to forgive Hashem for taking away their children, while Glen is bewildered. Miriam is not happy with some of the customs in her community. Too many holidays, says Mirty. How to daven . . . more »

Judith | 10/19/05 at 10:59 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 14, 2005

How to make it new

A poem from Rachel, which certainly describes my Ellul/Yom Kippur: RETURN How to make it new: each year the same missing of the same marks, the same petitions and apologies. . . . more »

Judith | 10/14/05 at 04:18 PM | 3 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 12, 2005

An Easy Fast this Yom Kippur

An easy fast to everyone observing the Holy Day. Usually Yom Kippur is my favorite Jewish holiday - because I love the drama of the liturgy, particularly the Temple reenactment ceremony - but I've been feeling under the weather so . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/12/05 at 04:13 PM | 2 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

All our vows

You can read all the previous Yamim Noraim entries (back to Rosh Chodesh Ellul) here. G'mar khatima tovah; may you be sealed for a good year. In a previous entry Alan Lew wrote about the responsibility of speech, and the . . . more »

Judith | 10/12/05 at 02:26 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 11, 2005

"For the mistakes we committed before you. . .

Tomorrow I will spend long stretches of silent time reflecting on the mistakes I have made this year, including those in my relationships with other people. These are supposed to be at least broached before Yom Kippur, but one of . . . more »

Judith | 10/11/05 at 11:46 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Pro-active mitzvot

Some people are already building their sukkot, and it's not even Yom Kippur yet. . . . more »

Judith | 10/11/05 at 05:29 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

The Day of Judgement approaches

Being in Israel for Yom Kippur, from Shai. [ UPDATE: More on Yom Kippur in Jerusalem: The Day of No Traffic Lights ] One benefit is the opportunity to experience the total immersion in intense davening and spirited singing with . . . more »

Judith | 10/11/05 at 01:04 PM | 0 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 10, 2005

Repairing the world with speech

As Yehoshua Karsh said, Jews really like to talk. In that we imitate our Creator, Who spoke the world into being. Rabbi Alan Lew elaborates:Kol Nidre is about speaking true -- about the power of speech. It is a gift . . . more »

Judith | 10/10/05 at 02:41 PM | 0 Comments | 2 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 07, 2005

Cheshbon ha'Nefesh

Yehoshua Karsh:We Jews are funny We can’t shut up We’re always talking Even our silent prayer Is made up of whispered words Even Yom Kippur The most Holy Awesome Day of reflection and Taking stock Is filled with chatter There . . . more »

Judith | 10/07/05 at 11:28 AM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 06, 2005

And who by fire?

I'm including all the Yom Kippur entries in the Ellul countdown category. (Which I guess I should rename the Yamim Noraim category.) The Unetaneh Tokef is the central liturgy of Rosh Hashanah, a thorny bit of theology with which we . . . more »

Judith | 10/06/05 at 01:18 PM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Happy New Year - Belatedly!

Got in too late on Monday - due to some unforseen pet shenanigans - to do anything but shop, cook (for later in the week), shower and run - off to my Rosh Hashanah first night evening meal. Hence, no . . . more »

Alcibiades | 10/06/05 at 09:00 AM | 1 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 03, 2005

L'shanah tovah tikateyvu

Greeting card for Rosh Hashanah, ca. 1900 "And You will cast all of their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19) Three dimensional Rosh Hashanah card, ca. 1910. This card features a woman carrying a Zionist flag. . . . more »

Judith | 10/03/05 at 03:42 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Child sacrifice

On the second morning of Rosh Hashanah we read of the Binding of Isaac. In the most recent Havel Havelim, several Jewish bloggers discuss this disturbing story and its relation to Rosh Hashanah (scroll down several paragraphs). Robert Alter reminds . . . more »

Judith | 10/03/05 at 01:15 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

Rosh Hashanah: signs and symbols

Previous entry on the meanings of the shofar. More on the meanings of the shofar here and here. Tekiah! brought to you by Shabot6000. Rishon-Rishon on other symbols of the holiday: . . . more »

Judith | 10/03/05 at 12:13 PM | 0 Comments | 0 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

October 02, 2005

Yom Harat Ha-Olam

All Ellul Countdown entries are here. Rosh Hashanah is one of the four New Years on the Jewish calendar, and traditionally thought of as the birthday of the world. Rabbi Alan Lew notices the void between an ending and a . . . more »

Judith | 10/02/05 at 08:59 PM | 1 Comments | 1 TrackBacks | Categories: - Yamim Noraim

September 30, 2005

Tashlich

Every year the joke gets sent around the email world, about the different breads to use for tashlich. Here's the version Kesher Talk posted in 2002. There's also the joke about the High Holy Days seating request form. UPDATE: A . . . more »

Judith