Words Give Life

Yom Kippur 5782

“Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters [heels] compasseth me about” (Psalm 49:6, JPS 1917 Tanach).

The "sins of my heels” refer to the breaking of lesser mitzvoth, that people, figuratively speaking, tend to trample upon, mistakenly thinking that they are insignificant.

The Sheltering Presence

d'var for Sukkot 5782

The sukkoth [booths] that we build at this time of year are meant to remind us of the temporary structures in the wilderness wherein our ancestors dwelt. According to some commentators, these structures symbolize the Clouds of Glory that served as a shelter from the elements.

Sukkot 5782 - Shabbat Chol HaMoed

Torah reading: Exodus 33:12 - 34:26

The word sakoti, similar to sukkah, means cover or covering, and is found in the following verse: “And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover [sakoti] thee with My hand* until I have passed by” (Exodus 33:22, JPS 1917 Tanach). This is one connection found to Sukkot in the parashas chosen as the reading for Shabbat Chol HaMoed.

*According to Ibn Ezra, some commentators translate kappi (hand) as clouds. Thus the rendering is that the cloud covered Moses, in like manner as the Cloud of Glory, also symbolized by a sukkah. 

prayer: Kavanah (Intentional Focus)

The words of kitvei kodesh (holy scripture) have meaning above and beyond the words themselves and are best understood within the greater context of the themes of the biblical narratives they portray, as well as their theological significance. The prayers in the siddur (prayerbook) may become an active means for inculcating the values, traditions, and beliefs of religion into our lives. 

Mishnah Insights: Berachos 4:6 & 5:1

Mishnah Berachos 4:6 - prayer during travel

"One who was traveling in a ship or on a raft should focus his heart opposite the Holy of Holies." - sefaria.org

Mishnah Berachos 5:1 - preparation before prayer

The recommended state-of-mind to acquire, before the Shemonah Esrei, standing prayer, when we stand before H’Shem, as if standing in front of a king.  (And how much more so, since He is sovereign King of the Universe).

 

parasha Bereishis 5784 - G-d is Our Life Force

weekly Torah reading: parasha Bereishis 5784

“The heavens declare the glory of G-d, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” – Psalm 19:2, JPS 1917 Tanach

parasha Noach 5784 - A Place of Refuge in Time of Need

weekly Torah reading: parasha Noach 5784

“The dove came back to him toward evening, and there in its bill was a plucked-off olive leaf. Then Noah knew that the waters had decreased on the earth.” – Genesis 8:11, JPSN

Abraham’s Calling

weekly Torah reading: parasha Lech Lecha 5784

“Now the L-RD said unto Abram: ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee.’” – Genesis 12:1, JPS 1917 Tanach

parasha Vayera 5784

weekly Torah reading: parasha Vayera 5784

parasha Chayei Sarah 5784 - A Life Well-Lived

weekly Torah reading: parasha Chayei Sarah 5784 - A Life Well-Lived

“And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; [these were] the years of the life of Sarah.” – Genesis 23:1, The Complete Jewish Tanach