Monday, January 25, 2016

Yitro

Exodus 18:1–20:23

Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan for Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

Words of God


The week's parashah, Yitro, takes its name from the opening line which states "And Yitro (Jethro) father-in-law of Moses heard all that God had done to Moses and to Israel his people, that God had taken Israel out of Egypt." The parashah then continues on with Yitro's advice to Moses not to take on the duty of judging the people's grievances alone, but to appoint judges to help him. Finally, the parashah reaches a climax with the central event of our religious mythology, the giving of the law/Torah at Sinai. It is at Sinai that the ragtag bunch of former slaves finally covenants themselves to God as a people. At Sinai the nation/people of Israel is born.

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Monday, January 18, 2016

B'shalach

Exodus 13:17−17:16

Rabbi James Greene for Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

Joyful, Soulful, Prayer



I should preface this dvar-Torah by admitting that I love to sing. Although I was an instrumental musician earlier in my life and even attended a Conservatory of Music as a saxophone player for my undergraduate studies, singing has always been in my soul. To sing in joy is perhaps one of the greatest pleasures a person can have in their life and is truly one of the ways we can serve God (ivdu et adonay besimhah).

We need song and music and melody to help us celebrate the good in life, and also to help us mourn our losses and take stock of where we are on our own personal journeys. When I sing I often feel myself opening up my soul to divine blessing and receiving the goodness that is inherent in the world and in the music.

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Bo

Exodus 10:1−13:16

Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan for Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

Humility vs. Humiliation



This week's Torah portion, Bo, includes the final three plagues brought against Pharaoh and Egypt as well as the first Passover seder meal (observed by the Israelites as the horror of the tenth plague coursed through Egypt). The parashah ends with the Israelites starting their journey out of Egypt after having lived there for 430 years.

The story is familiar. And yet, as with all narratives of the Torah, if one pays attention to the text with one's heart and soul one can find a myriad of truths within it. Just as no two people are exactly alike, neither are two truths.

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Monday, January 4, 2016

Vaera

Exodus 6:2−9:35

Rabbi Steven Pik-Nathan for Jewish Reconstructionist Communities

Speaking vs. Listening


In this week's parashah, Vayera, the conversation between God and Moses continues. God gives Moses further instructions on how to bring about the people's redemption. However, Moses seems a bit reticent. He claims that Pharaoh and the people will not listen to him because he is of "uncircumcised lips." The implication being once again that he is unable to speak clearly and that his speech is not complete or whole. In short, he is not up to the task.

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