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Groundbreaking, Part 2

Part 2: Prayer Books, Gender and Sex

“Groundbreaking” as dialogue across the spectrum? Continue reading Groundbreaking, Part 2

Behaalotekha: A Path to Follow

This portion contains one of several mentions of “seventy elders,” (Numbers/Bamidbar 11:16) sharing the burden of leadership with Moses, and some interesting bits about who gets to prophesy, when and how:
Continue reading Behaalotekha: A Path to Follow

Behaalotekha: Something To Notice

This portion includes words that are found in the service, when the Torah is removed from the ark, “Vayahi binso’a ha-aron…“:

When the Ark was to out, Moses would say: Continue reading Behaalotekha: Something To Notice

When the Ground Breaks

Part 1: Prayer Books and Women

Is offering a single feminine verb-form an innovation in Jewish prayer?
Continue reading When the Ground Breaks

Naso: Great Source(s)

For a frighteningly realistic and thought-provoking contemporary midrash [to Bamidbar/Numbers 5:11-31], check out the story, “Bitter Waters,” by Rochelle Krich in Criminal Kabbalah: An Intriguing Anthology of Jewish Mystery & Detective Fiction (Jewish Lights, 2001; Lawrence W. Raphael, editor).
Continue reading Naso: Great Source(s)

Naso: Language and Translation

“Speak to the Israelites: When men or women individually commit any wrong toward a fellow human being [chato’t ha’adam], thus breaking faith with YHVH [lim’ol ma’al], and they realize their guilt…” Continue reading Naso: Language and Translation

Torah: Opening the Book

“All you have to do is open up the book.” In a recent study-planning discussion for the Temple Micah (Washington, DC) group Kol Isha, I went off on a bit of a rant with this as my theme, insisting that anyone with the desire to do so can prepare to lead Torah-focused learning without leaning on an “expert.”
Continue reading Torah: Opening the Book

Author: vspatz