Israel: Memory and Dreams (Part 2)
Apr 17, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Yom Hazikaron-Yom Ha'atzma'ut
Following the transition from the pain-filled memories of Yom Hazikkaron (State of Israel Memorial Day) to Yom Ha鈥檃tzma鈥檜t (State of Israel Independence Day), it is fitting to look closely at the prayer recited in so many synagogues (of all denominations) around the world: Tefillah l鈥橲halom HaMedinah (the Prayer for the State of Israel). There is a 鈥渓egend鈥� that the text was composed by Israeli Nobel laureate Shmuel Yosef Agnon, but in fact the text was composed by Israel鈥檚 Chief Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog (1936鈥�1949), and a critically important phrase was added by Agnon in a handwritten note.
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Israel: Memory and Dreams (Part 1)
Apr 10, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Yom Hazikaron-Yom Ha'atzma'ut
Yom Ha鈥檃tzma鈥檜t, State of Israel Independence Day, is observed on Tuesday, April 16. It is not only a political and national celebration for the citizens of Israel and their supporters around the world, it is also a festival of the Jewish calendar. The Psalms of Hallel are recited, there is a special Torah reading, and there is an additional paragraph in the 鈥楢尘颈诲补丑 of the Conservative Movement, in a style similar to Hanukkah and Purim (see the Rabbinical Assembly鈥檚 Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays, 42, 50, 343). So this day is not simply the Israeli equivalent of July 4鈥攊t is rooted, as is the State of Israel, in the ancient Jewish dream for the perfection of the world.
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The Soul Is Pure
Apr 3, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
The 鈥減reliminary prayers鈥� recited at synagogue each morning are rarely encountered; even if you arrive 15 minutes after the published starting time for a service that might last more than three hours, you will miss those first important words. This fills me with real sorrow, for within this section of Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays (4鈥�13) are remarkable, beautiful affirmations and reflections. In previous weeks, we looked at , focusing especially on the way the poet entrusts body and soul to God each night. So, in the morning, it is natural to give thanks for one more day of life, and to reflect on who we are as human beings, composed of body and soul.
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Isaiah: Visions and Wellsprings of Salvation
Mar 25, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Pesah
It is often interesting to look closely at the haftarot (readings from the Prophets), and wonder about the juxtaposition of texts, themes, and ideas; what is this text looking to tell us or provoke/inspire within us?
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Approaching Pesah, Part 2: Who Are the Children at the Seder?
Mar 20, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Pesah
Let me offer a few thoughts on the part of the seder that has continually enchanted me since I was a child. The Haggadah presents four 鈥渢ypes鈥� of children, labeling each and offering directives to the parents on how to respond to each type. This is based upon four verses in the Torah that instruct the Children of Israel to explain (to their children) the rituals of Pesah. The Haggadah assumes that if something is repeated four times, with different language, that there must be a reason: that there are different types of children, each needing a different response.
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Approaching Pesah, Part 1: 鈥淭urning the Heart鈥�
Mar 13, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Pesah
Two seemingly disconnected texts offer an insight into the experience of Pesah. On Shabbat Hagadol (the Shabbat before Pesah, this year on March 23), the haftarah from Malachi ends with the powerful words, 鈥渂efore the coming of the great and awesome day of God I will send you the prophet Elijah; he will turn the hearts of parents to [their] children, and the hearts of children to parents鈥� (Mal. 3:23).
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鈥淚n God鈥檚 Hand I Place My Soul鈥� (Part 2)
Mar 6, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
Last week we took a brief look at the balance between the majestic theological description of God with which Adon Olam opens, and the more intimate, even tender recounting of the poet鈥檚 relationship with God in the final stanzas. These final verses begin with two short words that articulate a quite extraordinary claim: 鈥�Vehu Eli鈥� (For He is my God).
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鈥淚n God鈥檚 Hand I Place My Soul鈥� (Part 1)
Feb 27, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
There are moments when our prayers and spiritual poetry (piyyutim) make profound declarations about life and death, about humanity and God. Often these moments are recognized as awesome and important, and there is a sense within the synagogue community of this significance; for example, in asserting the unity of God (the Shema鈥�), God鈥檚 holiness (the kedushah), and the role of destiny (鈥�Unetaneh tokef鈥� on Rosh Hashanah).
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