February 2010

You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2010.

T’tzaveh

February 26, 2010 in 5770, Exodus / Shemot, Priests by Ed | No comments

What the priests once wore
Are now put on Torah scrolls
Robes, breastplates, turbans

T’rumah

February 19, 2010 in 5770, Exodus / Shemot, Menorah, Tabernacle by Ed | No comments

G-d tells us to make
A menorah of pure gold
With seven branches


Not for Chanukah
But for the tabernacle
As G-d instructed

Mishpatim

February 12, 2010 in 5770, Exodus / Shemot by Ed | No comments

Tough rules for children
Hurting or cursing parents
Is punished by death


That’s not done today
Some won’t even hit their kids
When they misbehave

Yitro

February 4, 2010 in 5770, Exodus / Shemot, Jethro, Louis Brandeis, Moses by Ed | No comments

Andy Warhol's portrait of Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Jethro tells Moses
You can’t be the only judge
It’s too exhausting

Delegate the work
Appoint judges for thousands,
Hundreds, fifties, tens

And Moses did this.
The first time a Jewish man
Took in-laws’ advice?