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Tag: Torah
Women and Headcovering
In a written teshuvah, Rabbi Jane Kanarek explains the answer to the question, "Should women and girls wear a headcovering?"
Reena Bromberg Gaber
January 3, 2024
CJLS
Halakhah
The Prairie and the Wilderness
This week we read about Moshe writing down the Torah, comparing that to Little House on the Prairie—the prairie and the wilderness.
Ilana Kurshan
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
June 12, 2023
Parashat Vayelech
Parashat Vayelech Dvar Torah
When Does Jewish Law Say We Are Permitted to Talk About Others
Lashon hara I’to·elet are those occasions when it is permissible, or even required, to speak about other people.
The Observant Life (Book)
May 18, 2023
Ethics
Inclusion
Biblical Texts Addressing Gossip
Human beings have been given the divine power of speech to enable our participation in the ongoing work of sustaining God’s creation.
The Observant Life (Book)
May 18, 2023
Ethics
Inclusion
Does Prohibited Speech Apply to the Internet?
As online communication becomes more complicated and sophisticated, so too do the laws governing defamatory speech.
The Observant Life (Book)
May 18, 2023
Ethics
Inclusion
Make the Bitter Sweet
Just three days after escaping Egypt, the Israelites find themselves in the desert with no water, causing spiritual crises.
Ilana Kurshan
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
January 19, 2023
Parashat Beshalach
Parashat Beshalach Dvar Torah
The Pizza Toast
Vaera opens with God reiterating the covenant made with Moshe's ancestors. What's the connection between this parshah and pizza toast?
Ilana Kurshan
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
January 10, 2023
Parashat Vaera
Parashat Vaera Dvar Torah
Study Guide: Midwives
The study guide for this week's parashah focuses on the roles of the midwives in the beginning of the Exodus story.
Vered Hollander-Goldfarb
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 30, 2022
Parashat Shemot
Parashat Shemot Study Guide
Bridegroom of Blood
Shemot describes the early years of Moshe’s life up to the pivotal moment when he is informed of his mission awaiting him in Egypt.
Ilana Kurshan
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 30, 2022
Parashat Shemot
Parashat Shemot Dvar Torah
Reversals
Parashat Vayigash continues a long narrative of sibling relationships. The reconciliation focused on here, reflects in this week's haftarah.
Bex Stern Rosenblatt
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 26, 2022
Parashat Vayigash
Parashat Vayigash Haftarah
Study Guide: A Good Long Cry
Joseph, after revealing his identity to his brothers, invites the family to Egypt. They share an emotional reunion and a good long cry.
Vered Hollander-Goldfarb
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 26, 2022
Parashat Vayigash
Parashat Vayigash Study Guide
Study Guide: The Perfect Gift
The brothers need more food but were told not to return without their youngest brother, whom their father refuses to part with.
Vered Hollander-Goldfarb
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 11, 2022
Parashat Miketz
Parashat Miketz Study Guide
Reading Critically
Many of our sacred texts are deeply unsettling. Our ancestors are deeply flawed people and their stories do not present easy takeaways.
Bex Stern Rosenblatt
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 11, 2022
Parashat Vayeshev
Parashat Vayeshev Haftarah
From Despair to Repair
In this week’s parashah, Judah's daughter-in-law Tamar tricks him into sleeping with her after she is not able to conceive with his sons.
Ilana Kurshan
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
December 11, 2022
Parashat Vayeshev
Parashat Vayeshev Dvar Torah
Liturgical Changes on Hanukkah
Liturgy on Hanukkah includes Hallel and additions to the Amidah. There are also special Torah readings, maftirs, and haftarot.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
December 8, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
The Blinding of Isaac: A Blessing in Disguise
In Toldot, Isaac, now the family patriarch, bestows the blessing of the firstborn on Jacob instead of Esau, when Jacob tricks him.
Ilana Kurshan
,
Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva
November 16, 2022
Parashat Toldot
Parashat Toldot Dvar Torah
Sukkot in the Synagogue
On the mornings of Sukkot, Shacharit and Musaf follow the standard festival format. The lulav and etrog should be shaken.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Intermediate Days of Sukkot
The intermediate days of Sukkot, the weekdays, combine some features of festival days and normal weekdays to create wholly unique day.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
What is Simhat Torah?
Simḥat Torah means “the joy of Torah” and is the name for the day on which the annual cycle of Torah readings begins and ends. ...
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Minḥah on Yom Kippur
Minhah, the Afternoon Service, begins with the Torah service, including selections from Leviticus and the haftarah on the Book of Jonah.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 4, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Yom Kippur Morning Services
The Yom Kippur morning service is similar to Rosh Hashanah, with the exception of the Amidah and the selections for the Torah service.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Kol Nidrei and Being Imperfect Together
Yom Kippur begins with the dramatic Kol Nidrei service, intended to annul vows made between yourself and God.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
What’s Water Got to Do With It?
How does the imagery of water and rain connect Shemini Atzreet and Simchat Torah? What can we learn from this?
Risa Finkelstein Sugarman
September 23, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Musaf Service
The Musaf Service for Rosh Hashanah contains familiar opening and closing blessings of the Amidah with the usual High Holiday interpolations.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Torah Reading
Rosh Hashanah Torah reading includes Abraham, Sarah, and the Binding of Isaac. Haftarot tell the story of Samuel and other relevant themes.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
What are the Shavuot Torah Readings About?
Rabbi Mitch Berkowitz explains the meaning of the Torah passages that we read on Shavuot and the connection to revelation and the harvest.
Rabbi Mitchell H. Berkowitz
June 3, 2022
Observing Shavuot
Shavuot