The Torah In Haiku: Sh'mini
Why observe kashrut?
Make a connection with G-d
Strive for holiness
After much detail about what animals may or may not be eaten, this week's portion concludes with these verses:
A Reform Jew-by-Choice Begins His Journey to the Rabbinate
I began my journey to Judaism nervously. Unlike the Charedim (ultra-Orthodox) who are anxious before the word of God, I was anxious in the uncertainty of the future.
Nothing is Given on a Silver Platter
History demonstrates that the events of the Holocaust served as an impetus for the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. For this reason, Israel’s civil calendar first acknowledges Yom HaShoah, which commemorates those whose lives were lost during the Holocaust.
Why Praying at the Western Wall Matters to Jewish Women
I had come to Israel to join my friend Anat Hoffman, who is one the leaders of the Women of the Wall. The previous month, there had been a random decree that as women were coming in, they were not allowed to wear their prayer shawls, their tallits. I’ve been wearing a prayer shawl since I would say the late '70s, a long time. And it’s just considered a regular part of my ritual in prayer. In 1968, the Orthodox rabbinic created a mechitza, which is a separation between men and women at the Western Wall. And the understanding here in a very traditionally observant manner, in an orthodox manner, is that men are obligated to pray. Women are not. The Orthodox have deemed this site to be a synagogue.
Out of the Box
The other morning I was getting ready for work and I heard the words, “The Jew in the Box” on the Today Show. My husband Shawn and I froze. What could this possibly mean?
Deliberate Acts of Kindness
I am prone to inspiration the way some people are prone to colds. Even when I do remember to order decaf, the little everyday sparks tend to convince me that life is good. So, by nature, I am drawn to the notion of random acts of kindness.
Reform Judaism and Eretz Yisrael
“Did you know?” asked my husband’s Israeli granddaughter, at 16 indignant and adamant. “Reform Jews don’t believe the State of Israel should even exist!”
My Love Affair with Israel
My love affair with Israel began in 1972 when I journeyed for the first time with my immediate family. My parents had been for the first time in February of 1968, six months after the Six Day War. We also were there six months before the Yom Kippur War.
Will the New Pope Be Good for the Jews?
Quite a lot of Jewish ink has been spilled over the last few weeks analyzing the pontificate of the now retired Benedict XVI, prognosticating on who might be his successor, and, once announced, reporting every detail of Francis’ history with the Jewish community.