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Category Archives: Thoughts
Rabbi’s Message for February
I would like to share an update on TBA’s social and environmental justice programming. TBA members are very generous with their time when it comes to the Monday Night Suppers at the First Baptist Church. These suppers are an opportunity for our community to reach out to those in need. Last month, about 30 people from TBA came out to cook and serve. Thank you to all of our volunteers, and especially to Dave Carnevale, who does most of the shopping and schlepping each month. The Social Action Committee has taken on the responsibility of making sure that there continues to be funding for the food. To that end, on Friday, February 3, the Social Action Committee will sponsor an oneg in honor of the Helman family for redirecting their fund to the Monday Night Suppers. Linda Helman thought this would be a good way to honor the memory of her husband, Stephen, because he was committed to the Monday Night Suppers. The theme of Shabbat services that evening will be Homelessness and Economic Justice. I hope you can join us. Donations may also be made to the Stephen Helman Monday Night Supper Fund through the TBA office. This month … Continue reading
Rabbi’s Message for January
“These are the activities whose income people can enjoy in this world but whose principal remains undiminished in the world to come: honoring father and mother, deeds of loving-kindness, making peace between two people. Talmud Torah ke-neged kulam, the study of Torah, however, equals all of these put together.” (Talmud, Peah 1:1) How can Torah study be the equivalent of so many significant mitzvot? The rabbis teach that study leads to action. Study of Torah should lead to acting in caring ways. Study of Torah should lead to heartfelt prayer. Study of Torah should bring meaning to our lives. The Board is sending out a survey about adult Jewish education, asking you what you are interested in studying. Ethics? History? Hebrew? Mysticism? Something else? We hope that your responses will spark an increase in offerings that are meaningful and enriching. We have already introduced adult learning programs at TBA this year. We held well-attended Learner’s Services, started a series of Jewish Holidays for Adults with a program on Hanukkah, and women participated in the first of monthly Rosh Hodesh (new moon) learning sessions. Saul Axelrod has been teaching a bi-weekly class on Yiddish, and on Shabbat mornings I have turned … Continue reading
Rabbi’s Message for December: The Meaning of Hanukkah
We find the following in the Talmud: Mai Hanukkah? What is (the reason for) Hanukkah? Our rabbis taught: On the 25th of Kislev commence the days of Hanukkah—eight days on which lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated them, they searched and found only one cruse of oil with the seal of the High Priest, but it contained sufficient oil for one day’s lighting only. Yet a miracle occurred and they lit the lamp that burned for eight days. (BT Shabbat 21) Over the generations Jews have loved to tell this story about the small cruse of oil and the miracle that it lasted for eight days. The rabbis ask, why celebrate for eight days instead of for seven days, since there was in fact in existence one day’s oil, so really only seven days might be seen as miraculous. Rabbi David Hartman teaches that the miracle of the first day was expressed in the community’s willingness to light a small cruse of oil without reasonable assurance that their efforts would be sufficient to complete the rededication … Continue reading
The Blessings of an Empty Bowl
Shavuot is approaching and along with it an end to another year of Counting the Omer with our annual Boxes on the Bima campaign. The food pantries that we supply with the rewards of our collection are extremely appreciative of our contribution, as their shelves often become empty when they finish another week of providing groceries to those who are in need. This year, I am focusing on something other than the boxes of cereal that are emptied by the families who receive them. I am looking at the empty bowl that sits on our table when the box is not present and what blessings can be associated with it.
Reclaiming Traditions From the Past and a New Key to Celebrating Israel Independence Day
When I first met Lynn and she spoke to me about her origins in the city of New Orleans, one of the customs she enjoyed participating in was the eating of the Kingcake to begin the season of Mardis Gras, which coincides with the timeframe of Purim. Although there are many versions of this cake, the Louisiana version is the most popular one to many who wish to perpetuate such a fun tradition. The cake itself is like a cinnamon roll that is covered with sugary icing and sprinkles in the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. Buried in the batter is a plastic or ceramic baby figurine that has several connotations to the person who finds it in his or her piece, including being responsible for buying the next cake to be eaten. So far, I have not found anything suspicious in my hamentaschen as of late! From a Jewish perspective I recall reading about a wandering Jew who became famous in a small, fictional town when he dropped a note that contained a pithy saying into a loaf of bread at the local bakery where he was able to find work. “Jacob the Baker” soon became a local celebrity as people scurried to … Continue reading
How Do We Respond to Recent Events
I was awakened by a phone call from my daughter, who instructed us to turn on the news. The president was about to address the nation regarding the operation in Afghanistan that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. I understood that the events took place, but did not comprehend the response that occurred following the president’s message, when students poured into the streets of Boston and Washington, D.C. Like a fairy tale, people burst into patriotic song and chanted “U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A…” Tuning in to sports radio this morning introduced me to the discussion of the day: whether the national anthem would be played in Philadelphia tonight when the Bruins faced off against the Flyers. It is their hometown tradition for Kate Smith to sing on video and Lauren Hart live, “God Bless America,” in place of our national anthem. In a review of the history of this popular song, it turns out that even though many in the Northeast would have liked “God Bless America” to replace “The Star-Spangled Banner” as our national anthem, representatives from the South would have fought vehemently against the change, citing that no patriotic song that was written or composed by a Jew … Continue reading
Get a Charge Out of Being Grounded
Addressed to Roman Carnevale, on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah. Roman, I would like to go back in history with you and revisit a scene from the Book of Exodus so that we can be sure that we got things right going into the Passover seder and how Moses got his initial start on saving the Jewish people. I begin with some very familiar words to most kids your age when I look at the moment when Moses follows one of his sheep up the mountain and he encounters a burning bush. Fascinated by what he sees, a voice calls out to him: The Lord said unto Moses, “You’re being grounded!” Moses responded, “What did I do wrong now? And who do you think you are, my father, the Pharaoh of all Egypt?” “It is I, Moses, the God of your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” “What’s an ancestor?” Moses questioned. “They are the people who came before you, who recognized my special powers.” “Right!” said Moses. “Moses, take off your sandals!” “Why should I? There are stones and pebbles and they hurt my feet. Besides, Tziporah just gave me a foot massage the other night and the bottom … Continue reading
