Congregation Beth Mordecai
Congregation Beth Mordecai
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
May 20, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 35 -- מלכות/שכינה שבהוד (Indwelling Presence within Splendor) The s’firah of Malkhut/Sh’khinah acknowledges that the best kind of sovereignty, the noblest stewardship, arises from recognizing the Divine Presence within all creation. As this s’firah influences Hod, we recognize holiness within ll life’s complexity, and see each minuscule part as part of a larger harmonious whole. We are just a small part of this undivided totality, remaining alive only because each breath of life is a personal gift (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.174).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : counting the omer God Indwelling Presence online learning splendor הוד מלכות שכינה
May 19, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 34 -- יסוד שבהוד (Foundation within Splendor)
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : foundation hod omer online learning y'sod yesod הוד יסוד
May 18, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 33 (Lag Ba-Omer!) -- הוד שבהוד (Splendor within Splendor) Hod sheb’Hod asks us to recognize the myriad splendors of the world around us…the splendor within the splendor. In his book Lights of Holiness, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook says: “The whole is constituted of numberless particulars, particular individuals and particular communities. The whole cannot achieve its highest fulfillment except through the perfection of its particular individuals, and the particular communities, whether large or small, of which it is constituted.” Hod sheb’Hod mirrors the splendor of creation, the unfolding mystery of electrons within atoms within molecules within chemicals within cells within heart muscles. We wonder at the mystery of why planes fly and whether dogs have a sense of humor. we speculate about the nature of fire, the miracles of[...]
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : hod omer online learning splendor הוד
May 16, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat B'hukkotai 2014/5774 (Triennial I) -- Is The Earth At Fault
We normally think of the earth and all it contains as being some of the most beautiful creations of God. Throughout the Torah, the earth is laid to waste when humans commit sins, a trope that has become very popular today in environmentalist circles. But is it possible that according to our Torah portion today, Parashat B'hukkotai, the blame for human transgression should not be laid solely at the feet of humanity? Should the earth bear some responsibility for the transgressions that lay it bare? Check out today's class for this fascinating conversation!
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : abundance earth environmentalism human impact human nature k'li yakar keli yakar keli yaqar online learning online parashah class parasha parsha parshah torah weekly torah portion בחוקותי
May 15, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
“Maturity and acceptance are connected with the theme of this thirtieth day of the Omer, G’vurah sheb’Hod. We use discernment to understand and accept how the world really works, the underlying configuration of the universe. We assess our options when evaluating alternatives from among many choices. Informed choice is important whether we are choosing a career or ordering off a comprehensive menu at the kosher deli. In each case, whether momentous or minor, we appreciate the opportunity we have to choose from many splendid options. As spiritual seekers, we may be attracted to a variety of spiritual paths and practices throughout our lives. We may find a certain text full of answers at one life stage when, earlier, it seemed obscure or[...]
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : discernment g'vurah gevurah hod omer online learning splendor strength גבורה הוד
May 14, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
"Hesed sheb’Hod magnifies details of love. In her famous poem, Elizabeth Barrett Browning asks: “How do I love Thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” God’s lovingkindness is evident in the myriad blessings in our lives. We pay attention to the intimate details of blessing’s flow today: the pulse inout veins, a child’s giggles, the changing light of a flickering Havdalah candle, the wings of a butterfly in the sunlight, distinctive spices in a tasty meal, subtle variations in our lovers’ glances or the differing pitches in the sound of a babbling stream" (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p154). For other days of the Omer, Omer Online Learning Tag : chesed hesed hod lovingkindness omer online learning splendor הוד חסד
May 13, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 28 -- מלכות/שכינה שבנצח: Indwelling Presence within Endurance Midrash Exodus Rabbah states: Tehre is no place where the Divine Presence is not.” Traditional prayer echoes this idea: “The whole world is filled with God’s glory.” To some people, God is always present and always available. Others wait in anticipation, as the Song of Songs says: Kol Dodi Hinei Zeh Bah (The voice of my Beloved, here it comes). Perhaps these are really the same idea, as Divine Energy is constant and yet always arriving (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.146).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : endurance God Indwelling Presence malkhut netzach netzah omer online learning shekhinah victory מלכות נצח שכינה
May 12, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 27 -- יסוד שבנצח: Foundation within Endurance
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : endurance foundation netzach netzah omer online learning victory y'sod yesod יסוד נצח
May 11, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Day 26 -- הוד שבנצח: Splendor within Endurance Jewish tradition sometimes describes our bodies as garments for our souls. Our bodies, each of them unique, are the splendid containers, the Hod for the Netzah of our spiritual energy (Counting the Omer: A Kabbalistic Meditation Guide, p.139).
Category : Omer Online Learning Tag : endurance hod netzach netzah omer online learning splendor victory הוד נצח
May 9, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat B'har 2014/5774 (Triennial I) -- What's a Jubilee?
In this week's Torah portion we read about the "yoveil," the commemoration of the Jubilee every 50 years. But what is a Jubilee? Where does the term come from and what is it all about? Join us as we discuss the physical and spiritual qualities of the Jubilee and its message for our day.
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : b'har behar blasts d'ror jubilee liberty online learning online parashah class parsha parshat Rosh Hashanah shofar yoveil בהר דרור יובל שופר תרועה