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Had Gadya: A Parable for Our Times (A Passover Message)

Dear Hevre/community, Most Passover seders end with a version of the song Had Gadya . It is a long song, but one with which we can also have some fun. As a child, I remember my mother and her sisters always competing to see who could sing each verse the fastest. By the time they got to the loooooooong final verse, the three of them were usually laughing so hard that they couldn't finish. Today, I still try to compete with their memories to see how fast I can sing it without tripping over the words or laughing. However, the meaning behind Had Gadya isn't so funny, as it tells the story of how nation after nation has tried to destroy the Jewish people. However, since in the end, we always prevailed, we can sing about it. Even after the tragedy of the Holocaust (which occurred long after the song was written) we were eventually able to have fun with the song, because laughing as a response to danger has long been a Jewish response. Just look at the holiday of Purim , just on...

Turning Our Hearts Today (Parshat Tzav and Shabbat Hagadol)

I apologize if you tried to read this prior to now. I didn't realize that there was something weird with the formattin. I'm pretty sure I fixed it. ________________________________ This week’s parashah /portion is Tzav (Leviticus 6:1 - 8:36). In this Torah portion, God continues to describe the different laws of sacrifices that began with last week’s portion.. This Shabbat is also known as Shabbat Hagadol , or the Great Shabbat, and it is the Shabbat immediately prior to Passover. There are many theories as to why it bears this particular name. According to one tradition, it comes from a verse in the Haftarah (prophetic portion) read in synagogue this Shabbat. The Haftarah comes from the prophet Malachi and foretells the messianic era, which will be heralded by the coming of Elijah, the prophet. During the Passover seder we welcome Elijah symbolically to our seder table and pray for the time when he will announce the coming of the Messianic Era, a time of peace and...

Parashat Vayikra: Sacrifice in the Times of Isolation

This week’s parashah /portion is Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1- 5:26) In this Torah portion, the first in the book of Vayikra /Leviticus, we read the descriptions of the laws of animal sacrifice. God explains to Moses the different sacrifices that atone for guilt or sins, and distinguishes between sins committed inadvertently and sins committed on purpose. It would be easy to disregard this portion, as all animal sacrifices ended with the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 CE. However, in reading the parashah I found two topics that can be meaningful for us today, especially during the current time of physical isolation. The first was the meaning of sacrifice and how it connects with prayer today. The second is the concept of different types of sacrufices for intentional and inadvertent sins. After the destruction of the Temple the Jewish people relied on prayer instead of sacrifice. According to Maimonides (12th century Spain) in his philosophical treat...

Vayakhel-Pekudei: Living with the Shattered Tablets

I have not written any Torah commentaries for this blog in a very long time. However, the unique situation in which we find ourselves was the impetus I needed to get up off the couch and get back to writing (though, in reality, of course, I am actually writing this sitting on my living room couch because I'm stuck at home). Vayakhel-Pekudei  is a double  parashah /portion.  In  Vayakhel , God commands the Israelites not to do any work in the sanctuary on Shabbat. The Israelites gather gifts for God. Moses says that Ohaliab and Bezalel should take the gifts of the Israelites and build God’s Sanctuary.  In  Pekudei , Aaron and the priests are given their clothing for work in the Sanctuary. This marks the completion of the  Mishkan /Tabernacle construction. Moses anoints Aaron and his sons to make their priestly positions official. A cloud descends upon the Tent of Meeting, and God’s presence fills the Tabernacle. This is a time of transitions in the ...

White Privilege, Charlottesville and Our Responsibility

Author's note: Usually my posts deal with the Torah portion or "spiritual matters."  Today I am writing my own thoughts in the aftermath of this weekend's tragedy in Charlottesville.   To me, these matters are indeed spiritual, because they deal with the human spirit and what God desires of us all, as created in the Divine image. Though written from my perspective as a rabbi with a Jewish audience in mind, I know that not all those who will read this are indeed Jewish.  However, much of what I wrote applies to white people, and Americans, in general. I believe the issues I raise are essential if we are going to make any progress in the fight against racism and hatred. I welcome comments, whether you agree or disagree.  All I ask is that they remain civil and respectful.  If they are not, I will not post them. L'shalom u'verakha-with Peace and Blessings, Rabbi Steven Nathan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Th...