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!
January 23, 2015 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat Bo 2015/5775 (Triennial II) -- The Jewish Origin for Counting Time (or JST, Jewish Standard Time)
This week we celebrated the new Jewish month (hodesh) of Sh'vat in which we will celebrate the "New Year of the trees" (to take place in the middle of the month). While counting months of a year seems natural, it was in many ways an innovation at a time when the year was organized strictly by the sun. In this week's Torah portion, we read this moment of innovation in which God commands Moses and Aaron to appoint "this month as the head of all months" (Exodus 12:1-2). What does this innovation teach us about the unique way in which God wanted the Israelites[...]
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : bad bo change good months online learning online parashah class parsha parshah time weekly torah portion בא
December 19, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat Mikeitz 2014/5775 (Triennial II) -- Hope Amidst Destruction In this week's Torah portion we learn about the stories related to the rationing ("shever") of grain in Egypt by our forefather Joseph. The Hebrew word "shever" is used often in this context, principally to refer to the dividing of grains into rations. Yet in other contexts the same root (sh-v-r) means "to destroy" and an analogous root (s-v-r) means "to hope." What can we learn by the different meanings of the same root? Given the dire circumstances caused by the famine in Egypt, is it possible that the act of "rationing" is a reflection of hope amidst destruction? And if so, what role can God play in helping us have hope through the tribulations[...]
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : brothers destruction hope joseph mikeitz miketz online learning online parashah class parsha parshah weekly torah portion מקץ
May 23, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat B'midbar 2014/5774 (Triennial I) -- Size Doesn't Matter
In this week's Torah portion we read how the Tent of the Meeting is the place for Israel to gather and the place to house God's Presence in their journey through the desert. But how can one small place contain so many people and so much glory? It seems too small! Yet, there are other places in the Bible where "what is less is able to contain what is more." Can this teach us about the importance of "size" in the Bible, especially given the small size and great impact of the Jewish people? Is it possible that when it comes to things that[...]
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : b'midbar bamidbar chosen people numbers online learning online parashah class parashah parsha parshah size tent of meeting weekly torah portion במדבר
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
March 21, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
2014/5774 (Triennial I): A Strange Fire? In this week's Torah portion, Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu bring an "eish zarah," a strange fire, to the tabernacle and instead of having their gift accepted, they are personally consumed by a fire from God. What went wrong? What was this strange fire that God not only rejected but caused God to kill them? Can we learn anything from this episode about how we should or should not approach God in our worship? Join the class to find out! Classes from other years... 2013/5773 -- Why Is Pig So Unkosher? Details of Photo The Death of Nadab and Abihu, engraving by[...]
Category : home Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : aaron avihu fire nadav online learning online parashah class parashah parsha parshah sh'mini shemini weekly torah portion worship
December 20, 2013 By bethmordecai no comments.
2013/5774 (Triennial I) -- The Meaning of the Name "Moses" Moses is arguably the most famous man in the entire Bible and his name means so much to so many people. Yet where did his name come from? Is it Egyptian or is it Hebrew? Does it speak about his birth or the life he will live? We will discuss these issues along with a larger conversation about the meaning of names we give to one another in anticipation to tonight's Friday Night Service -- What's In A Name to be held at Beth Mordecai at 8 pm Classes from other years... (2013/5773) Triennial III -- Israel as God's Children --[...]
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : children egyptian exodus God hebrew israel moses online parashah class parsha parshah sh'mot shemot weekly torah portion
July 5, 2013 By bethmordecai no comments.
2013/5773 (Triennial III) -- The Torah's Evolving Understanding of "Others" Double Torah portion: Matot/Ma'asei Much of the Torah focuses (understandably so) on the special relationship between God and Israel. This relationship though is set amidst a background of many other peoples and while some are sympathetic to God and the cause of the Israelites, the majority worship "elohim aheirim," other Gods and act as a terrestrial proxy to the war against God. We will discuss whether these are the only kinds of relationships that Israel and God can have with the nations of the world or whether the Torah itself hints at an evolving relationship among God, Israel, and humanity.
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : God interfaith israel ma'asei ma-asei matot nations parsha parshah weekly torah portion
November 30, 2012 By bethmordecai no comments.
2012/5773 (Triennial III) -- Strength and Love When is it important to show strength? When is it important to show love? Can you show both at the same time?
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : importance learning love online learning online parashah class parashah parsha parshah strength strength and love timing torah vayishlach vayishlah weekly torah portion