Posts Tagged Tradition

A Jew’s Christmas To-Do List

Posted by Sarah in Uncategorized on December 24, 2009

It’s that time of year. Only one more day until Christmas – until radio stations go back to playing regular music and stores become less crazy. Most have spent weeks, if not months, getting hyped for the holidays. They’ve planned out their presents and meals, and now it’s here. Tomorrow is the big day!

So, if you don’t celebrate Christmas, what’s there to do?

As a Jew, there are tons of things you can do to fill your Christmas day. Some are typical and some are not, so pick and choose whichever fit for you!

1. Enjoy the famous Chinese food and a movie – Yes, I know. It’s the most stereotypical activity for Jews on Christmas, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good one! Since most places are closed on Christmas, it’s hard finding good food…which leads us to Chinese restaurants. They’re one of the few places open, and with so many delicious options, they’re hard to resist! The same limited selection goes for non-restaurants, which is why so many Jews follow up or precede their meal with a trip to the movies. Careful though, in places like NYC and other highly populated Jewish areas, I’m betting theaters may be busy.

2. Celebrate Christmas – Sure, you may not practice Christianity, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something to gain from participating in the Christmas holiday. Spend time with friends who celebrate and find out what makes the holiday so great for them. As someone who has experienced Christmas through loved ones for the past few years, I can tell you that it’s totally worth it. Why? Because happiness is happiness, and there’s something contagious about it no matter the reason.

3. Plan a game tournament – If you feel like there’s no where to go with every place closed, stay home! There’s nothing wrong with spending the day indoors and playing all the games you can get your hands on. Indulge your competitive side by inviting friends or family over and holding a day-long gaming tournament. The time will fly and the memories will be great!

4. Go outside – It’s true. December isn’t exactly the warmest time of the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy being outside. Right now, with all the snow on the ground, it’s hard to resist playing in it. Build snowmen, create snow angels, have a snowball fight, and just let loose. When you’re finished, you can spend the rest of the day inside getting warm.

So, if you’re at a loss of what to do with your day tomorrow, try one of these suggestions and have fun!

-Sarah

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Gelt and Candles and Goblins, Oh My!

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Jewish Knowledge on December 10, 2009

Celebrating Hanukkah can be rough. I know, I know. You’re probably wondering how 8 days of presents could possibly be a hardship. Well, maybe that part isn’t bad, but as Jews we walk around stores inundated with Christmas decorations hoping for just a little glimmer of some Hanukkah cheer too.

Source: http://www.listosaurusrex.comA few weeks ago, I walked into Barnes & Noble and was browsing in the children’s section (shocker, I know). Despite being one of my favorite stores, it was depressing to see all the classic Christmas stories displayed throughout the room with only one side of a book carousel devoted to Hanukkah stories.

It’s true, there aren’t many famous Hanukkah stories. But, if you’re looking for a classic this season and the bookstore isn’t giving you the options you need, look no further! I know the best Hanukkah story, one that blows all others out of the water – Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. My mom used to read this to me when I was little, and to this day, I still believe that it is by far the best Hanukkah story around. So, here are five reasons why Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins is the only book you need this Hanukkah season!

1. Goblins – What could be better than mixing Hanukkah and goblins? These fantasy creatures add spice to any story and are sure to draw in both kids and adults (the evidence being that I still love this story).

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins2. The Illustrations – While a little darker than your typical children’s story, the drawings in this book are amazing. Kids are drawn into an entirely different world and able to visualize the story’s crazy creatures and their actions.

3. Hershel – The main character is a really clever guy! Apparently based on a real person, he may not be your typical hero, but he fills the shoes quite nicely.

4. The Tools of Trickery – Hershel uses everything from a menorah to hardboiled eggs to a game of dreidel to a jar of pickles to outwit the goblins in this story. This strange arsenal is not only funny but effective, allowing Hershel to save Hanukkah for the villagers.

5. The Moral – The story is entertaining and readers will certainly be drawn into the alternate reality. But, even better, this tale has an amazing message: nothing should stop you from celebrating those things that are important to you. While a Jewish story, this great lesson makes Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins great for everyone!

-Sarah

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Blessing the People – From the Commentator’s Bible

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Jewish Knowledge, JPS Books on November 10, 2009

Michael Carasik, author of the Commentator’s Bible series, guest blogs for JPS in a post  discussing the priestly benediction and the commentary surrounding it.

Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them; and he stepped down after offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the offering of well-being. Moses and Aaron then went inside the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the Presence of the Lord appeared to all the people.  -Leviticus 9:22-23

The scene is the inauguration of the Tabernacle—the Tent that housed the Ark during the Israelites’ journeys through the wilderness. It’s also the first day of operation for the newly ordained priests: Aaron and his four sons.
So first Aaron blessed the people; then Aaron and Moses went into the Tent, came back out, and blessed the people again. But how did they do it?
The commentators disagree. Now, you can find out how and why, in the Leviticus volume of my Commentators’ Bible series—just published by JPS. This post will introduce you to three of them: Rashi, Nahmanides, and Abraham ibn Ezra (we’re giving Rashi’s grandson, Rashbam, the day off today).

Rashi says the blessing Aaron recited in v. 22 was this:

Priestly BenedictionDon’t recognize it? It’s the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:22-24, still recited in synagogues today (go to the Israel Museum web site to learn about the amazing photo):

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
- from the JPS 1917 translation

The LORD bless you and protect you!
The LORD deal kindly and graciously with you!
The LORD bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
- from the JPS 1962 ?** translation

But when Moses and Aaron came out of the Tent, they offered a different blessing, according to Rashi. The Bible does not give its text here, but the text is found in the Bible, in Psalm 90, which is identified in v. 1 as “A prayer of Moses.” In v. 17 of his prayer, Moses says, “May the favor of the LORD, our God, be upon us!”

Rashi explains why:

It was to say to say, “May it be God’s will that the Shekhinah rest upon the Tabernacle you have made.” For all during the first seven days of the ordination procedure, when Moses set up the Tabernacle, served there, and then disassembled it each day, the Shekhinah did not rest upon it. The people were depressed, saying, “Our master Moses! All this trouble we took was so that the Shekhinah would settle among us and we would know that we were forgiven for the sin of the Golden Calf.”

Nahmanides always takes Rashi’s explanations seriously:

If this was indeed the priestly blessing of Num. 6:24–26, as Rashi thinks, then Num. 6:23, “Speak to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the people of Israel,” must also have preceded our passage. And perhaps it did, since the Numbers passage seems to be describing “the day that Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle” (Num. 7:1).

He often disagrees with them, however:

But it might also be possible simply to understand Aaron doing the same here as did Solomon at the inauguration of the Temple, when “he spread the palms of his hands toward heaven … and in a loud voice blessed the whole congregation of Israel” (1 Kings 8:22, 55). That would explain why the text does not record that Moses commanded Aaron to do so.

Ibn Ezra takes a more practical interest in Aaron’s “lifting his hands”:

Based on this verse, our predecessors have passed on the tradition that the priests must lift their hands high when they offer the priestly blessing.

The Commentator's Bible - LeviticusLeave it to Nahmanides, however, to bring a kabbalistic element into the discussion. To find it, however, you’ll have to go to the other volume of The Commentators’ Bible that been published so far—Exodus—and the famous passage where Moses lifts up his hands to give Israel victory:

Exodus 17:8 Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Pick some men for us, and go out and do battle with Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill, with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 Then, whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; but whenever he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands; thus his hands remained steady until the sun set. 13 And Joshua overwhelmed the people of Amalek with the sword.

Says Nahmanides:

His hands remained steady. This translation is correct. But according to the Way of Truth, he held ten fingers high to heaven to allude to the ten sefirot, and to cleave to the aspect of Faith that was fighting for Israel. The subject of the priests’ holding up their hands when they bless the people, and the mystery behind it, is also clarified by this text.

The Torah is not a book to pick up and read from beginning to end, once and be done with it, but a book that Jews return to over and over again to learn new insights. The Commentators’ Bible is intended to bring a deeper level of Torah study within the reach of more English-speaking Jews than ever before.

I am looking forward to learning with you!

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Get an inside look at the world’s largest private Judaica collection

Posted by Naomi in Jewish Books on October 31, 2009

3296798304_63902152c9Wow, tonight is quite a night… it’s Halloween, it’s game three of the World Series (go Phillies!), and I just discovered an incredible video!  Do you remember when I blogged about the Valmadonna Trust Library back in September?  No?  I’ll remind you: for the past few months, Sotheby’s has been working to sell the largest private collection of Jewish book and manuscripts to any buyer who has the financial oomph (read: at least $40 million) to purchase the thing in its entirety.  The Valmadonna is incredible, in terms of both its breadth – some 11,000 rare books and manuscripts – and in terms of the quality of the actual items in the collection, for example, the complete Bomberg Babylonian Talmud.  Back in February, blogger Gotham Girl explained why this particular set is so impressive:

[The Bomberg Talmud was] originally acquired by Henry VIII (hoping to find something in support of divorce), which arrived too late to help him out of his dilemma. These volumes of Talmud sat unused for 400 years in Westminster Abbey until acquired by the trust in exchange for a copy of the original charter for the Abbey. They are in perfect condition.

hebrew-2The entire collection was on exhibition back in February, but that exhibition has since closed.  When, back in September, I realized that I had found out about the collection a few months too late, I threw in the towel.  I figured that I would probably have to wait months, if not years, before the collection was again made open to the public by whoever ended up purchasing it.

… And this is where the exciting video comes in!  During my most recent trolling about the internet in search of exciting Jewish Book News, I stumbled across a video on the Sotheby’s website that provides an inside look at the Valmadonna Trust Library!  Get the scoop from Sotheby’s Vice Chairman, Judaica consultants, and even the collection’s custodian, Jack Lunzer!  Learn about how Jack Lunzer accumulated his collection, see some of the collection’s gems, and take a peek at how Sotheby’s put together the collection that you and I sadly missed.  Unfortunately, the video isn’t embeddable, so just click here to go the video on Sotheby’s website.

-Naomi

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Making the Bible PG: How Children’s Bibles Differ

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, JPS Books, Publishing on October 19, 2009

Cross-posted from the Jewish Book Council Blog and MyJewishLearning.

MJL JBC Author Blog
Ellen Frankel, author of JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible, is guest-blogging all week for MyJewishLearning and the Jewish Book Council.

For most of Jewish history, the Bible was “one size fits all.” There was simply no such thing as a children’s version.
The second-century rabbinic anthology Pirkei Avot counsels: “At five years old [one should begin the study of] Scripture” (5:24). For centuries, Jewish children were introduced to the Bible, unexpurgated and unabridged. In fact, Jewish children’s books did not emerge as a separate genre in America until the 1930s, with the publication of The Adventures of K’Ton Ton by Sadie Rose Weilerstein. Until then, Jewish children read the same texts that were meant for adults.

So, do Jewish kids really need a children’s Bible? Or are we just imitating our Christian neighbors, who have been publishing and teaching children’s Bibles since the 11th century?

To read the entire post, visit the Jewish Book Council Blog!

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Is Judaism a Religion? Ask Dan Brown

Posted by Sarah in Jewish Knowledge, JPS History on October 14, 2009

I have a confession. Despite all the hype surrounding his many novels, I’m not a huge Dan Brown fan. Sure, I’ve read all his books, and like many, I love a good historically-loaded suspense novel. But while his writing keeps you excited and wanting more, his plotlines are all the same. Of all his books, I read Angels & Demons last, and it only took me about two chapters before I could tell you the identity of the mysterious villain.

Lost Symbol-Dan BrownSo, when his new Robert Langdon book came out, Lost Symbol, I was torn. Part of me couldn’t help but wonder if he’d finally shaken things up. Giving in, I reserved the book at the library and finally started reading it this morning. While I haven’t completed more than 100 pages of the novel, I am excited to say that at least one part of this book has sparked an interest. In the initial pages of the novel, Brown’s protagonist Langdon discusses the question: What makes something a religion? In response, Langdon and his class talk about the three necessary components of a religion – the ABCs – assure, believe, convert. As Langdon explains, “Religions assure salvation; religions believe in a precise theology; and religions convert nonbelievers.”

This got me thinking. If these three components are necessary to categorize something as a religion, can Judaism be considered a religion?

As far as I can tell, Judaism only completely fulfills the second attribute. Most would agree that Judaism follows and believes in a specific theology, with a set of rules and beliefs all its own. We see this everyday! People keeping kosher, reciting prayers, and adhering to the Ten Commandments. But, what about the other two requirements?

Does Judaism assure salvation? Perhaps it comes down to how one defines salvation. I think of salvation as the saving of one’s soul and the belief in an afterlife. As someone raised in an observant Jewish household, I was always taught that Judaism does not discuss an afterlife. Instead, Judaism emphasizes the here and now, saying that what we Religion for Dummiesdo with the present is all that matters, not what happens to us after we are gone. Based on this, I’m not sure if Judaism meets the “A” requirement for a religion.

And, what about converting nonbelievers? Like all religions, Judaism gladly accepts those wishing to convert to the Jewish faith. However, Judaism does not go out and seek converts. There aren’t Jewish missionaries roaming the globe in search of prospective Jews. In fact, tradition says that a Rabbi must turn down someone wishing to convert three times before accepting them as a student. Three times! That means you have to really want to become a Jew if you’re going to withstand rejection so many times. So, if Jews do not act as missionaries and, on top of that, they make it difficult to convert, I have trouble seeing how they fit the “C” criterion.

What does this mean? Honestly, who knows for sure? It could just mean that Brown’s statement is flawed (regardless of whether the idea was his or someone else’s). Still, even if his book ends up leaving me disappointed, I can at least give him credit for sparking an interesting discussion!

-Sarah

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All good things must come to an end…

Posted by Naomi in Jewish Innovation, Uncategorized on October 12, 2009

BE046842Wow.  What a month.  We’ve just been through a bevy of Jewish Holidays: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah.  That’s an awful lot of hours clocked in the synagogue.  And an even more awful lot of food.

It’s been, simultaneously, both a fun month, and a difficult one.  Last night, as we marked the closing of Simchat Torah, my friends and I reminisced about our favorite High Holiday tunes, and joked (somewhat seriously) that now that the holidays were over, we wouldn’t see each other again until next year.  But we were also kind of excited – excited to have our regular Sundays back, excited for normal (shorter) synagogue services to resume, excited to not eat quite as much every weekend.

But despite all that excitement, there was still a general sense of gloominess.  Now that the holidays are over, we’ll be entering the holiday-less Jewish month of Cheshvan (in fact, there are no more Jewish holidays until Chanukkah, which this year begins in mid-December).  This month is sometimes also known as “Marcheshvan” – in Hebrew “mar” means “bitter”.  And an entire month with no fun holidays is a bitter month, indeed.

So what can we do to keep away the Marcheshvan blues, and to bring a bit of Jewish joy into our lives?  Well, I have a couple of ideas for ya:

1. Check out the newly redesigned JPS website!  (In particular, check out the all-new feature on the right side, towards the bottom… that’s right, you can now stream the JPS Audio Bible!  Each week, the new Torah portion will be posted, along with the full text, so you can read along as you listen.  Genesis is up right now – check it out!)

2. Find a way to incorporate a bit of Judaism into the upcoming secular holidays.  Thanksgiving (my all-time favorite secular holiday!) is a day ripe for an infusion of spirituality.  Brainstorm with your family how you can make the day meaningful – have a discussion over dinner about the things you are grateful for, compose your own Thanksgiving prayer, or volunteer to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a local soup kitchen.  (I’m a bit stuck on Halloween – “act-of-kindness or treat” just seems a little bit lame.  Any ideas?)

3. Stock up on your Chanukkah gifts.  It’s never too early!  (And FYI: JPS is having an early-bird Chanukkah sale – 40% off select titles!)

4. Get involved with Jewish Social Action Month – KolDor has earmarked October 19th – November 17th as a month for Jews to get involved in social action projects.  Check out their site for a listing of volunteer opportunities, or to put up an event of your own!

5. Now that the weather is getting chilly, it’s time to whip out those fleece blankets, brew a cup of steaming hot tea or apple cider, and crack open a good book.  In fact, now that we’re beginning the Torah reading cycle from the top, how about cracking open the Good Book?

    Do you have any other creative ideas for brightening up Marcheshvan?  Let me know!
    - Naomi

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    Televised Services – Too Much?

    Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books on September 17, 2009

    When it comes to offering easy ways to pray, how much is too much?

    I was reading a great eJewish Philanthropy blog post today that discussed the availability of free High Holiday services for those wishing to participate without spending a lot of their hard-earned money. As someone who was until recently a student, I definitely appreciate the fact that there are places to pray without having to pay for a seat. And, in these economic times, the idea has become more commonplace as synagogues wish to avoid discouraging attendance. Therefore, as I read this post, I was pleased to see such a variety of ways to participate in the High Holidays without putting a huge dent in your wallet. However, I soon stumbled upon the mention of a possibility that startled me: Jewish TV Network actually offers a televised Kol Nidre service!

    Source: http://www.fotosearch.com

    Source: http://www.fotosearch.com

    Needless to say, I’ve never heard of this before, and the idea doesn’t make me happy.

    Let’s think about it. The High Holiday season is one of the few (maybe even the only) times a year that almost every Jew attends services. Synagogues only typically half full or scraping by to get a minyan find themselves forced to offer a standing room only section as pews fill to capacity. Picture it. A time of year when such a large group comes together to pray. The sense of community is fantastic! So, imagine my disappointment upon discovering that people may have a way to avoid attending services, thanks to the offering of a televised gathering. Do people really need a reason to stay home? The option certainly makes sense for those physically unable to attend. In fact, I think it’s wonderful that these people still have a way to experience the holidays. But, what about everyone else?

    In a society where technology is so prevalent, do we really need it taking over another aspect of our lives? Relying on a TV for services eliminates the communal feeling, the commitment ones makes to G-d by attending services, and the feeling of participation. Therefore, this High Holiday season, I beg you! Go to synagogue. Feel the connection. And, truly ring in the New Year.

    -Sarah

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    Rare Hebrew books library makes a pricey splash at Sotheby’s

    Posted by Naomi in Jewish Books on September 3, 2009

    This has been a busy week for me, as I’m sure it has been for many of you.  The week that straddles August and September brings with it days of hectic preparation: parents buy supplies for their children at back-to-school sales; college students move into dorm rooms and attend orientation events; and those of us in between build IKEA furniture, drive tank-like UHauls, and get very, very lost in Chinatown (don’t ask).

    Now that I’m getting settled into my new place in New York, I’ve decided that I need to start exploring its Jewish cultural offerings.  Unfortunately, this week has been somewhat busy (see the above reference to UHauls and Chinatown), so I’ve been unable to visit any museums or Judaica bookstores.

    Hebrew Book Collection

    Source: http://cm1.theinsider.com

    However, as I was ignoring my still-packed suitcase this afternoon, I stumbled upon an incredible article on ABC News.  According to the February article, the largest private Judaica collection – the Valmadonna Trust Library – went up for auction at Sotheby’s a few months ago.  The entire collection of some 11,000 rare Hebrew books and manuscripts, valued at over $40 million, was on display for a time in February in order to drum up interest among potential buyers.  Among its many treasures, the Valmadonna Trust Library includes:

    “a nearly pristine complete edition of the Babylonian Talmud printed in 1519-1523 by Daniel Bomberg, a Christian printer of Hebrew books… the nine-volume, leather-bound Bomberg copy is recognized as one of the most significant texts in the history of Hebrew printing, on which all other Talmud editions are modeled.”

    But before you whip out your wallets in a fit of excitement, it is unfortunately my duty to inform you that the collection will only be sold as a whole.  So unless you’re willing to cough up $40 million (more actually, since the auction starts at that value), you’re going to have to wait for a museum or library to acquire it before you can crack open that Bomberg Talmud.

    But don’t worry about having lost the opportunity to ever see these rare books.  Martin Cohen over at the Ruminative Rabbi makes a great point that since the asking price for the collection is so high, the Valmadonna Trust Library

    “will probably not be bought by someone planning to hide the collection away in a private home and so the chance to see it will probably present itself again…either in Washington at the Library of Congress or in some similar library or museum with that kind of acquisitions budget.”

    When I hear any news about a final buyer, I’ll clue you all in.  And maybe I’ll see you at the buyers’ exhibit!

    -Naomi

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    A Jewish literary rebirth… in Krakow, Poland

    Posted by Naomi in Jewish Books, Publishing on August 11, 2009

    About a week ago, the Jerusalem Post reported about a recent attempt to revive the Jewish religious literary tradition in Krakow, Poland.  Today, fewer than 1,000 Krakow residents identify with the Jewish community.  Yet before the Holocaust, the city was home to 80,000 Jews – and some of the greatest religious writings to come out of Eastern Europe from the early modern period onward were written by the rabbis of Krakow.  Haviv Rettig Gur reports:

    DSCF6245_gThe new Polish-language book Dovev Siftei Yeshenim (The Utterings of the Lips of the Sleepers), written by Krakow’s Rabbi Boaz Pash, is an effort to bring back to life the voices of the city’s rabbinic tradition in the place where it all happened. The book is a collection of interpretations on the weekly Torah portion written by some of the greatest rabbis Krakow ever produced.

    “Everyone has heard about the rabbis and sages of Krakow, but who can quote them?” asks Pash. “What member of the current generation that is living and growing up in Poland can open their books? This book and others of its kind represent an attempt to meet that need.”

    The book begins with 15th century scholar Rabbi Yom Tov Milhausen, and continues with such luminaries of the Jewish bookshelf as the 16th century giant Rabbi Moshe Isserles, better known as the Rama, and the 17th-century halachist Rabbi Yoel Sirkas, the Bach.

    (Interestingly, Dovev Siftei Yeshenim is coming on the heels of a possible re-publication of a German edition of Mein Kampf! That’s irony for ya.)  The publication of this book is indicative of a larger trend in Polish Jewish life:

    Wjta poland

    Source: http://climbingsinai.com

    “Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, more and more young Poles are rediscovering their Jewish roots and expressing a desire to draw closer to the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” according to the Israel-based chairman of Shavey Yisrael, Michael Freund.

    “At the same time, Jewish communal life in Poland is gradually gaining strength. We cannot turn our backs on these exciting historic developments and must do everything we can to facilitate them,” Freund said in a statement announcing the publication of Dovev Siftei Yeshenim.

    I’m thrilled that they’re publishing this book in Polish, so it will be accessible to Polish Jews and non-Jews alike.  At the same time, however, I’d love to see an English translation of the book.  It sounds like an absolute gem.

    - Naomi

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