Torah – Page 6 – "A Song Every Day"

Gathering Sources: Bamidbar

Thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion, Bamidbar — sometimes: Bemidbar or B’midbar — Numbers 1:1-4:20. This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book”:

A Path to Follow: From One Month

Something to Notice: God Grieves

Great Source: The Biography of Ancient Israel

Gathering Sources: Chukat

Some thoughts on the Torah portion, Chukat — also spelled: Chukkat, Chukkas, and Hukat — Numbers 19:1-22:1. This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book”:

Great Source(s): Miriam’s Well

Language and translation: Bards? Rhapsodes?

A Path to Follow: Rise Up, O Well

Something to Notice: A Very Big White Space

Gathering Sources: Korach

Here are some thoughts on the Torah portion “Korach” — sometimes “Korah” — Numbers 16:1-18:32. This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book”:

Something to Notice: Psalms of “Sons of Korach”

Great Source: “The Nursing Father” by Alicia Ostriker

A Path to Follow: The Covenant of Salt

Language and Translation: Drawing Near

Gathering Sources: Shelach

Here are some thoughts on the Torah portion “Shelach” or “Shelach Lekha” — sometimes spelled “Shlach,” “Sh’lah,” or “Shlach Lecha” — Numbers 13:1-15:41. This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book”:

A Path to Follow: Bialik and the unsuccessful going up

Language and Translation: “Make for themselves tzitzit“

Something to Notice: Fringe-gathering meditation

Great Source(s)-1: Sapphires Recount

Great Source(s)-2: Shefa Gold and “Dirt to Life”

Next read in most of the Diaspora on June 29, 2019.

Note 6/27/19 to anyone who has been following the “Gathering Sources” posts: The three missing posts are coming soon. But first, look for the upcoming portions Korach and Chukkat. Apologies for any confusion or inconvenience (got off-track with Shavuot).

Gathering Sources: Bechukotai

Some thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion Bechukotai — occasionally spelled “Bechukosai,” or “B’hukkothai” — Levitucus 26:3-27:34. This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book”:

A Path to Follow: Clearing Out the Old
Something to Notice: Women, Vayikra, and Progress
Great Source(s): Anonymous Commandments to God (9-11th Century CE)

See also on the Haftarah: “Notes on Jeremiah: Max Ticktin’s Scribbles”

Next read in most of the Diaspora on May 25, 2019;
Bechukotai is read in double-portion with Behar in non-leap years.

Photo credit: By Yonidebest – Self-photographed, Public Domain

Gathering Sources: Behar

Some thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion Behar, Leviticus 25:1-26:2, sometimes spelled “B’har or “Be-Har.” This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book.”

A Path to Follow

Also from Behar: Jubilee and “Free at Last”?

Toward Harvest, part 1

Fewer resources for Behar, which is often read in double-portion with Bechukotai; few more next week.

Gathering Sources: Emor

Some thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion, Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23; no common alternative spellings). This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book.”

Something to Notice: damage to God and God’s name
Language and Translation: Complete Rest (Lev 23:32)
Great Source(s): on the Omer
A Path to Follow: Four times Moses asked God to decide

Due to differences in holiday observances, Torah reading schedules begin to diverge in some congregations with the holiday of Passover. Emor is next read on May 11, beginning with minchah on May 4, in Israel and Reform calendars; it is next read in orthodox, Conservative, and many other congregations on May 18, beginning with minchah on May 11.

Gathering Sources: Kedoshim

Some thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion, Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-20:27; occasionally spelled “K’doshim” or starting with “Q”). This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book.”

Due to differences in holiday observances, Torah reading schedules begin to diverge in some congregations with the holiday of Passover. Kedoshim is next read on May 4, beginning with minchah on April 27, in Israel and Reform calendars; it is next read in orthodox, Conservative, and many other congregations on May 11, beginning with minchah on May 4.

Something to Notice: “female” attention to minutia
Language and Translation: Lev 19:4 (don’t turn/no gods)
Great Source(s): Holiness Ripple
A Path to Follow: An Old Question
based on the still relevant, if somewhat dated, “Study Mehitza”

Gathering Sources: Acharei Mot

Some thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion, Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30; also sometimes: Aharei Mot or Aharei Mos). This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book.”

Due to differences in holiday observances, Torah reading schedules begin to diverge between Movements with the holiday of Passover. Acharei Mot is next read on April 27, beginning with minchah on April 20, in Israel and Reform calendars; it is next read in orthodox, Conservative, and many other congregations on May 4, beginning with minchah on April 27.

Something to Notice: “Go Tell Your Brother”
A Path to Follow: Charles Reznikoff and four pens in five fingers
Language and Translation: Nefesh and ish sound patterns
Great Source(s): No Creature Unfit

animal black and white royalty free goat — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Gathering Sources: Metzora

Some thoughts and resources for exploring the Torah portion, “Metzora,” Leviticus 14:1-15:33. Also spelled: M’tzora or M’tsora, sometimes Metsora or Mezora. This is part of a series of weekly “gathering sources” posts, collecting previous material on the weekly Torah portion, most originally part of a 2010 series called “Opening the Book.”

Metzora is next read beginning at minchah on Shabbat 4/6/19 (Shabbat Tazria). NOTE: Although most there are usually four posts for a portion, this series was written in a year when Tazria and Metzora were read together as a double portion, so there are only two posts on Metzor (and two on Tazria).

Something to Notice — How “natural” or ordinary was menstruation in the ancient world?

Great Source — L. Hoffman on original, gender neutral purity rules