Who’s actually being tested with the Akedah? Rosh Hashanah’s Second Day Torah Portion feature the famous Binding of Isaac. With its holiday reading, Abraham is not tested for his near sacrifice of his son Isaac. His test was a few thousands of years ago on Mt. Moriah. Rather, those presently reading, listening, and discussing theContinue reading “Who’s Testing Who? The Akedah”
Tag Archives: rosh hashonah
Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale
During the holiday season, sometimes we have to be the “bigger” person. Being largesse is often necessary during the High Holiday season. Rosh Hashanah- the New Year- and Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement- often come with close encounters of the uncomfortable kind. This especially happens on neutral grounds; synagogues and places of worship. Frankly,Continue reading “Well, Well, Well: A Rosh Hashanah Tale”
The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment
Get up. Carry the boy and hold him in your hand, because I shall make him a big nation. Genesis 21: 23 The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion tackles both matters of faith and covenant. Abraham, in the portion, is embroiled in a familial crisis. He must deal with competing maternal interests. Sarah, his wife, isContinue reading “The Rosh Hashonah Torah Portion’s Ten Commandments’ Moment”
The Scriptural Root of Zionism: The New Year’s Second Day Haftarah
Arise, Let us ascend to Zion Jeremiah 31:5 Operation Solomon-a mass migration event- made history in 1991. Approximately 2400 years before this event, the Prophet Jeremiah recorded prophetic words which became part of the Hebrew Bible. Are these distant temporal events connected? Can an ancient Prophet be intimately tied to the 20th Century Beta IsraelContinue reading “The Scriptural Root of Zionism: The New Year’s Second Day Haftarah”
The Most Important Parental Advice? Rosh Hashonah’s First Day Reading
Is there one piece of parental advice that reigns over all others? The answer is emphatically “yes”. This masterful advice emanates from the Book of Genesis. The specific passage is part of the Torah portion read on the first day of the Jewish New Year. In it, the Jewish People’s first Matriarch, Sarah, initiates aContinue reading “The Most Important Parental Advice? Rosh Hashonah’s First Day Reading”
On The Limb
for the past two weeks, horrible covid made for misery and endless days of loopiness; a perpetual four drink intoxication state. mentally, i could blow past the legal limit. the shabbat- being the first day of rosh hashonah- uniquely subjected me to constant ear ringing without a shofar’s piercing primordial wake-up call. exhausted. i passedContinue reading “On The Limb”
Was The Final Holiday Sacrifice The Greatest? A Ten Commandments’ Tale
the high holidays are full of tales of child sacrifice and loss. rosh hashonah starts with abraham sending his son ishmael to the desert with only bread and water. abraham is then tasked by god to sacrifice his son isaac. on yom kippur, there is the story of the high priest aaron who is grievedContinue reading “Was The Final Holiday Sacrifice The Greatest? A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Conversation Starter: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
to start a conversation, i often will bring up a topic and ask the individual what they think of it. this tends to work out well. there are times, however, when i know, if i bring up a certain topic, things will not go well. knowing this, i mentally shelve the topic and come upContinue reading “The Conversation Starter: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
Forgiveness On Hold: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
in the oscar winning film, forrest gump, the man denied his destiny of dying on the battlefield confronts a great storm. angry at the world. after losing his legs on the battlefield, he then took to lose his soul in a bottle of alcohol. captain dan climbs to the top of the mast and goesContinue reading “Forgiveness On Hold: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Five Essential Books Not Available on Amazon: A Ten Commandments’ Tale
everyday i write the book elvis costello no matter how many times you beckon to “alexa,” you will never get these books on amazon. you never will. the five essential books are the book of good life, the book of redemption and deliverance, the book of livelihood and sustenance, the book of merits, and theContinue reading “The Five Essential Books Not Available on Amazon: A Ten Commandments’ Tale”
The Ten Commandments Project 