Babylon: Babel’s (Distant) Background
Exploring Babylon: Chapter 3.1 The Hebrew “Bavel” is translated into English as “Babel” in Genesis and as “Babylon” when it appears elsewhere in the Tanakh. Bavel as Babel shows up in a total of two […]
Babylon: the Earthling and the Tower
Rabbi Meir’s comment celebrates both diversity and unity of humanity. Rav’s further specifics can also be understood more generally to speak to our divided, or blended, natures.
Babylon and the Beginning
Ancient commentary finds reference to exile, to Babylon in particular, as early as the bible’s second verse
God’s Presence Accompanied Them
It is way too easy to let “God is with the oppressed” console the already comfortable while leaving the afflicted with their travails. As the new year…
Sukkot and Babylon
Many centuries of prayers linked the fragility of Sukkot with exile.
Siddur as Hometown: Don’t Dismiss the Travel Guide
We often treat the siddur like our own hometown: we can imagine why others are fascinated
Word- and Picture-Power
This season reminds us – even if we didn’t have recent events screaming reminders at us – that words, and related mind-pictures have tremendous power.
interlude: Summer 5777
A few words about “interlude” and gathering up “against the unknowns ahead.”
Chana Bloch: Her Memory For a Poetic Blessing
Chana Bloch, poet, translator, and teacher, died on May 19, 2017.
