Category: Rabbinic Thoughts
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The two pockets – a thought for the day – 31.3.2020
For today I’d like to share with you a text, my colleague Rabbi Steven Moskovitz wrote. It echos in a wonderful Jewish way the words of President Ramaphosa from last night’s address, where the President – once again – asked all of us to stay at home. It might not be you, who will benefit…
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God wishes to see people happy – Thought for the day
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go …, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.…
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A shelter of peace – thought of the day by Rabbi Adrian Schell
Hashkiveinu as it appears in the Mishkan T’filah, our siddur: הַשְׁכִּיבֵֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽנוּ, לְשָׁלוֹם,וְהַעֲמִידֵנוּ שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים,וּפְרֹשׂ עָלֵֽנוּ סֻכַּת שְׁלוֹמֶֽךָ,וְתַקְּנֵֽנוּ בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָה מִלְּפָנֶֽךָ,וְהוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ לְמַֽעַן שְׁמֶךָ.וְהָגֵן בַּעֲדֵֽנוּ, וְהָסֵר מֵעָלֵֽינוּ אוֹיֵב, דֶּֽבֶר, וְחֶֽרֶב, וְרָעָב, וְיָגוֹן, וְהָרְחֵק מִמֶּֽנּוּ עָוֹן וָפֶֽשַׁע.וּבְצֵל כְּנָפֶֽיךָ תַּסְתִּירֵֽנוּ,כִּי אֵל שׁוֹמְרֵֽנוּ וּמַצִּילֵֽנוּ אָֽתָּה,כִּי אֵל חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם אָֽתָּה.וּשְׁמֹר צֵאתֵֽנוּ וּבוֹאֵֽנוּ לְחַיִּים וּלְשָׁלֹם מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ,…
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Corona Virus letter from the Rabbi & ManCom
Dear Bet David Families, We are writing to you at atime when health is a serious concern, not only in faraway countries, but alsonow here in South Africa. We are reading and following the same guidelines thatyou are and will follow them as precautions and best practices for stayinghealthy. At Bet David, the bathroomand washing…
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Judaism from A to Z—”F: Free will (a different perspective)”
Judaism from A to Z—”F: Free will (a different perspective)” Since every human being is endowed with free will, even if a superior orders you to perform an evil act, Jewish law forbids you to follow the order. If you carry out the order, you cannot then blame the person who issued it, for you…
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Judaism from A to Z—E: “Eye for an Eye”
Judaism from A to Z—E: “Eye for an Eye” If one could speak of biblical verses being vilified, then “an eye for an eye” would be the most vilified of verses in the Bible. It is commonly cited to “prove” the existence of an “Old Testament” ethic of vengefulness, in contrast with the supposedly higher…
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Judaism from A to Z—”Diaspora”
Judaism from A to Z—”Diaspora” Diaspora identifies any place outside of the land of Israel where Jews live. The term derived from the Greek διασπείρω diaspeiro (“scatter”). The first diaspora began with the biblical exile to Babylon in the sixth century BCE. Even so the exile was followed by the return, under Ezra and Nehemiah, many Jews…
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Judaism from A to Z—”Birkat ha-mazon, grace after meal”
One of the most important prayers in Judaism and one of the very few that the Bible commands us to recite, is never recited during synagogue services. That prayer is the birkat ha-mazon, grace after meal. In Deuteronomy 8:10 we are commanded that, when we eat and are satisfied, we must bless the Eternal, our God. This commandment is…
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Judaism from A to Z—”Afterlife”
Judaism from A to Z—”Afterlife” The afterlife (Olam haBa) is rarely discussed in Jewish life, be it among Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox Jews. This is in marked contrast to the religious traditions of the people among whom the Jews have lived. The afterlife has always played a critical role in Islamic and Christian teachings, for…
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What in God’s Name is God’s Name?
This is one of the more profound theological questions. To be able to name something or someone is to have a specific relationship to it or them, even a form of control. One can call out not just “Hey, You!” but “Hey, David!” or whatever, and expect some form of response. By using a name…
