Bereshit

October 20, 2011 in 5772, Genesis / Bereshit by Ed | No comments

It was paradise
Just one tree was forbidden
But then … temptation

 

The fruit was tasty
Knowledge of good and evil
Our eyes were opened

 

Was it a bad thing?
I certainly don’t think so.
It made us human

 

 

Yom Kippur

October 7, 2011 in 5772, Purim, Yom Kippur by Ed | No comments


Yom Hakipurim
Literally – “like Purim”
But how can that be?

 

Yom Kippur – solemn
Purim – quite the opposite
A raucous yom tov

 

Mirror images
One holiday physical
One spiritual

 

How are they alike?
Each provides a unique way
To think about G-d

 

My thoughts this week are based on several Purim articles I found while searching the web this week for “Yom Kippur” and “Yom Hakipurim”. Click on the links to learn more about the connections between Yom Kippur and Purim from Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Aish, and Chabad.

May you have an easy fast, and a spiritual Yom Kippur.

 

Ha’azinu / Shabbat Shuva

September 30, 2011 in 5772, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


The New Year begins
A special Shabbat – Shuva
It’s time to return


This week’s haftarah
Starts with words from Hosea*
“Shuva, Yisrael”


* The prophetic reading for Shabbat Shuva begins with Hosea 14:2 “Return, O Israel, to Adonai your G-d, for you have fallen because of your sin.”

 

Tags: ,

Rosh Hashanah

September 28, 2011 in 5772, Rosh Hashanah by Ed | No comments


Tapuchim u’dvash*
A sweet treat we love to eat
To start a new year


The traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting is 8 syllables, making it a challenge to fit into a haiku. So I ask you to forgive me if I turn to prose for a moment to wish everyone shana tova u’metuka – a good and sweet year.

 

*apples and honey

Nitzavim / Vayeilech

September 23, 2011 in 5771 by Ed | No comments

Torah’s in heaven?
You need someone to bring it?
No, you don’t need that.


It’s over the sea?
You need someone to bring it?
No, you don’t need that.


It’s not too remote
Torah’s very close to you
In your mouth and heart


[Deut 30:11-14]

Ki Tavo

September 16, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


Ebal, Gerizim
From one the curses are read
The other, blessings


A question for us:
On which Mount are we standing
When we view our lives?


[Inspired by this week's Ten Minutes of Torah essays by Rabbi Melanie Aron and Rabbi Jennifer Clayman]

 

Ki Teitzei

September 9, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


When you harvest grain
Or the fruit of trees and vines
Leave the last behind


So that the widows
The orphans and foreigners
Can have what remains


This is commanded
To make sure we remember
That once we were slaves


[Based on Deuteronomy 24:20-22]


Shoftim

September 2, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


Tzedek is justice
But is also righteousness
So it’s written twice


Pursuing justice
Must be done through righteousness
Or it’s not justice


Deuteronomy 16:20
Tzedek, tzedek tirdof
Justice, justice, shall you pursue

R’eih

August 25, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim, Prayer, Temple by Ed | No comments


For burnt offerings
There will be one location
G-d’s place – HaMakom*

 

Today it is prayer**
A sacrifice of the heart
We offer to G-d

 

Any place is fine
In the synagogue, at home
Even on a plane

 

But still, Jews gather
As our ancestors once did
In Jerusalem


*Deut 12:11

**[Felicia R. (or other syllabic obsessives) - Click Here]

 

Eikev

August 19, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


What does G-d demand?
Walk only in divine paths
Revere Adonai


Love the Eternal
With all your heart, all your soul
This is all G-d asks


[Deuteronomy 10:12]

« Older entries § Newer entries »