tisha b’av

August 15, 2016
By bethmordecai
no comments.

DAY 1506: No Synagogue Required

Dear Hevreh, Yesterday (Sunday) I had the pleasure of spending the end of Tisha B'av learning Torah with a number of 20s and 30s who live in Highland Park. Many topics were included in this marathon of learning including... how Tisha B'av implores us to feel the pain of historical collective trauma, how we struggle with understanding why bad things happen to seemingly good people, and how our love affair with Jerusalem revolves around lamenting its destruction and hoping for its rebirth (among other topics). The conversation was stimulating, variegated, and incisive because we weren't shy to share our own perspectives - our Unique Torah - and we weren't afraid to listen and be moved by the teachings of[...]

Category : home Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
Tag : learning rabbi rabbi's journal synagogue tisha b'av unaffiliated unique torah young people

tisha b’av

July 22, 2015
By bethmordecai
no comments.

DAY 1117: A Very, Bright Future

(7/22/15), In one of my recent journal entries, I described how some of the latest political issues, most notably the Iranian deal, are poised to pull the Jewish community apart. Likewise, worsening affiliation rates, merging institutions, and less activism make us wonder at times what the future of the American Jewish community will look like. Well, if it's anything like these past weeks, I can say that future is very bright. Whether it's young Jews gathering to spend quality time together and being engaged in meaningful Jewish life, or dancing and singing Jewish liturgy in full public view, or the ability to have difficult convesrations of important topics with Jews from multiple communities, there is[...]

Category : Ari-archive
Tag : ask the rabbi bright future Iran Deal joy rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat by the sea tisha b'av YJPA

tisha b’av

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[...]