jerusalem

October 16, 2015
By bethmordecai
no comments.

DAY 1203: Let Us Never Forget Thee O Jerusalem

"אם אשכחך ירושלים תשכח ימיני" -- טעם ימיני בעבור כנורותינו כי בימין נגון היתרים  - אברהם אבן עזרא על תהילים קלז:ה "If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither" -- The meaning of "right hand" has to do with [playing] our violins (or musical instruments) because you use your right hand to play the strings - Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra (12th Century, Spain) on Psalms 137:5   Dear Hevreh, If you've ever been to Jerusalem, you'll notice that there's music always in the air. It's not the kind you hear on the radio or in a beautiful sanctuary, but the kind you hear within your soul. It's music that's been playing since the moment God saved Isaac on the top of Mt. Moriah,[...]

Category : home Israeli News Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Services Shabbat
Tag : israel jerusalem rabbi rabbi's journal

jerusalem

August 5, 2014
By bethmordecai
no comments.

DAY 766: Thought on Tishah B’av — Zealotry Leads to Destruction

Dear Hevreh, Last night, our community gathered with Marlboro Jewish Center, Temple Beth Ahm, and Congregation Beth Ohr for a special communal observance of Tisha B'av. A number of the rabbis, including myself, had an opportunity to teach a little about the holiday prior to readingM'gillat Eikhah. I was particularly fascinated by the teaching of Rabbi Lisa Malik on the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, perhaps the most famous story related to the destruction of the second Temple. The story, which you can find here, seemed pregnant with such meaning that I took the time today with one of our members to study it in more depth. (By the way, please feel free to drop in during[...]