Torah and More
Start 2009 off right by attending Torah and More on Monday evenings at 7:00pm. Torah and More is Kol Ami's new discussion group that relates contemporary events to such classic Jewish texts as the Bible, the Talmud and the Prayer Book. For more information contact Barry Speert at 913-677-2896 or E-mail. Summaries of previous discussions are presented below.
20 April 2009 - Individuals attending this Yom Ha Shoah session of Torah and More discussed how knowledge of what a "luach" is opens up doors to understanding theological implications of the Holocaust that remain untapped by professional educators. Luach is a Hebrew word that has two meanings. One meaning is calendar and the other meaning is tablet such as the two tablets of the Ten Commandments.
When viewed in this way, one can see that the two main dates upon which the Holocaust is commemorated are actually the same and what separates them are the different calendars that are used. Yom Ha Shoah falls on the 27th day of the first Hebrew month which is Nissan. The International Holocaust Remembrance Day as recognized by the United Nations (each year since 2006) falls on the 27th day of January.
The question then becomes, what if anything is special about 1/27? One need look no further than Genesis 1:27 to find a Biblical verse that has great relevance in terms of what went so terribly wrong in the Holocaust. Genesis 1:27 says that "God created man in His own image, in the image of God...male and female created He them." Genocide is far less likely to occur when this concept of b'tzelem elohim is universally applied.
One can extend this form of analysis farther by separating the one from the 27 and asking in good Haggadah style, "who knoweth one ?" The answer the Haggadah provides is that the number one represents God who is in heaven and on earth. Rabbi Hanina demonstrated great wisdom in the Talmud (Berachot 33b) along these line when he stated "everything is in the power of heaven except for the reverence of heaven."
With regard to the 27, persons schooled in gematria will remember that the Hebrew word chesed which means kindness equals this number. What better word to leave as a legacy of the Holocaust especially in its "chesed shel emet" or ultimate kindness form that relates to honoring those who have perished? Hosea 6:6 uses the word chesed in saying that what God wants from human beings is kindness and not burnt offerings.
Mindful of Kol Ami's ongoing interfaith activities, Torah and More participants concluded this session by reflecting on acts of kindness Muslims performed on behalf of Jews during the Holocaust. Included in this were details concerning Selahattin Ulkumen who has been honored by Yad Vashem in Israel. New York's leading Muslim cleric will speak about the Holocaust from the pulpit of a Queens Reform synagogue Friday night.
NOTE: The next meeting of Kol Ami's Torah and More discussion group is scheduled for 5/4/09 at 7:00pm. For more information contact discussion group leader Barry Speert by e-mail or by calling
913-677-2896.
6 and 13 April 2009 - According to Reform Jewish theology, what is the greatest gift that God has given the Jews? Is it something like Shabbat or the Land of Israel that is customarily included in the stanzas of the popular Dayenu song which are sung each year at Passover time, or is it something else? This is the question that Torah and More participants explored in back to back sessions of Kol Ami's weeknight adult education class.
Group members found that a strong case could be made for Biblical prophecy being the greatest gift that God has given the Jews as viewed by Reform Judaism. In addressing this point, URJ president Eric Yoffie has stated that Reform Jews see "social justice as the jewel in the Reform Jewish crown" and "like the prophets" never forget that "the blights of society take precedence over the mysteries of heaven."
Bringing a historical perspective to this is the fact that the version of the Dayenu that was published in the 1923 edition of the Union Haggadah concludes with a stanza that reads "Had He sent us prophets of truth, and not made us a holy people, Dayenu!" Interestingly, Biblical prophets and prophecy are not usually included among the traditional 15 stanzas that constitute the Dayenu in most Haggadahs.
In addition to speaking out in support of Biblical prophecy, Reform rabbis have spoken out against rating other aspects of Judaism (such as those mentioned in the Dayenu) too highly. For example, with regard to Torah, Rabbi Allan L. Smith has stated that "a closer adherence to Jewish law does not make someone more Jewish than someone else. It does not make someone more legitimate or more entitled."
With regard to this, group members discussed how often the Biblical Ruth is praised in Reform Jewish circles but how seldom she is actually emulated. By converting to Judaism and making herself accountable for 606 more commandments than gentiles are asked to keep through the seven laws of Noah, Ruth set an example that is hard to follow. It has been noted that the equivalent of Ruth's name in gematria is 606.
One other source that was consulted is Aron Hirt-Manheimer's "A Reform View of Jewish Law". In this article the editor of Reform Judaism Magazine states that "our concern is more with the people than with the legal system. Whenever possible, interpretations are developed which are feasible and conform to the needs of life." In future sessions, Torah and More will continue looking at what makes Reform Judaism unique.
30 March 2009 - How is the sabbath that immediately precedes Passover (Shabbat Hagadol) different from all other sabbaths and what does its current level of observance tell us about where Judaism might be heading? Individuals attending this session of Torah and More explored this topic by first noting that the Shabbat Hagadol name is traceable to the prophetic words of Malachi that are customarily read in synagogues on this day.
Malachi 3:23 says "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great (gadol) and terrible (yare) day of the Lord." The use here of the Hebrew word "yare" is reminiscent of the Hebrew phrase "yomim noraim" which is commonly translated as "days of awe" in connection with the Jewish High Holy Days beginning with Rosh Hashanah and concluding with Yom Kippur.
According to tradition, the messiah is associated with Passover (which commemorates redemption from slavery in Egypt) and it is Elijah who will return to announce the arrival of the messiah or messianic age. Malachi 3:24 tells us that before this happens Elijah will bridge the generation gap by turning "the heart of the parents to the children and the heart of the children to their parents."
The intergenerational theme is one that Passover places great emphasis on. It is largely through the observance of this holiday via seders and the haggadah that the Jewish story has been effectively transmitted from one generation to the next. Key to the success of this has been the centuries old expectation that adult lay persons would become resources through their own study of Judaism.
Shabbat Hagadol serves an important function in this regard dating back to when sermons were given on only two occasions in Jewish prayer services throughout the year (this sabbath and on Shabbat Shuva, the sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). These sermons would be scholarly in tone guiding congregants in very practical ways toward fuller appreciation of various holiday rituals.
Torah and More participants consider it unfortunate that relatively few congregants (including congregational leaders) take an active part in Jewish learning when it is Reform Judaism that recognizes "informed choice" as the standard upon which personal religious decisions are to be made. Choice without information is folly especially in today's world with good sources of information being easily accessible.
23 March 2009 - How open should Judaism be to individuals from non-Jewish backgrounds? This question which has been around since the time of Moses (if not longer) was the focus of this evening's Torah and More discussion. Starting with Exodus 12:38, which introduces the "mixed multitude" concept with regard to the golden calf, the potential risks and rewards that non-Jews bring to Judaism have been seriously debated.
Those who would put a stumbling block before non-Jews frequently cite Rashi who viewed the "mixed multitude" as insincere converts, the cause of all the problems of the Israelites, and the inciters of all rebellion against God. This separation between Jew and non-Jew is seen as consistent by some with other Biblical dictates that separate different types of seed, garments and farm animals (Leviticus 19:19).
At another point in the Bible, Hosea (7:8) accuses Ephraim of mixing himself among the peoples--courting the favor of one country then another--before disappearing as one of Israel's ten lost tribes. Later on, Ezra and Nehemiah (13:3) view intermarriage as a major problem in reestablishing Jewish life in Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. Their response was to separate all who were of foreign descent.
On the other side of this question are those who look at Moses and wonder how Jewish and world history might have been different if Moses had not married outside the faith by making Zipporah his wife and gaining Jethro as a highly supportive father-in-law. Scholars have noted how common it is for people with no Jewish ancestry to succeed in finding spiritual and intellectual homes among Jewish people in today's world.
One congregation that has addressed this issue directly is Temple Isaiah which as a northern California URJ affiliate recently posted an article on its website with the headline "Our Temple Isaiah Community--A Wonderful Mixed Multitude." In this article Rabbi Judy Shanks expressed her commitment in working with congregational leaders to keep doors open to a "mixed multitude" of synagogue members.
Torah and More participants agree it is important that when used, the "mixed multitude" phrase be used in as positive a way as possible despite some of its negative connotations. This is especially important at a young and growing congregation like Kol Ami where members have diverse backgrounds and conversions are celebrated in accordance with standards accepted by the rabbinic association.
2 March 2009 - Individuals attending Torah and More's pre-Purim session munched on triangle shaped pastries while comparing Israeli prime minister candidate Tzipi Livni's approach to femininity with that of Queen Esther. Group members found it interesting that in place of her usual pant suits, Livni had put on long skirts to appeal to Ultra-Orthodox politicos whose support would be necessary for her to become Israel's next leader.
The refusal of the Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) religious parties to align with Livni explains in part why Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu has been given (in accordance with Israel's political system) the opportunity to form Israel's next governing coalition. This is despite the fact that Livni's party narrowly outpolled Netanyahu's party in February with Kadima winning 28 Knesset seats and Likud winning 27.
While Shas and UTJ will now hold a combined total of 16 seats, neither party has ever had a woman in their Knesset delegation. Of the 120 seats in the Knesset, 21 will be held by women with Kadima having the most at seven. Likud and Yisrael Beytenu are tied for second place in this category with five. Many view the rabbinical councils that run Shas and UTJ as being discriminatory against female politicians.
The closer it came to the February election, the more Livni realized that she needed to expand her appeal by reaching out to voters who are not part of Israel's Ultra-Orthodox and socially conservative voting blocks. This was done most dramatically at a pre-election rally held in Jerusalem where Livni joined lesbian and transsexual entertainers such as "Dana International" on stage in proclaiming a "diva sisterhood."
In an interview with an Israeli newspaper, Shas chairman Eli Yishai stated that homosexuals in his view have no right "flaunting" their lifestyle in Jerusalem or any other place in Israel. Yishai suggested in his remarks that it would be best if homosexuals "underwent treatment and recovered." Conversely, the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) takes a leadership position in advocating for gay and lesbian rights.
The group concluded this session with a discussion of a Chabad article whose author contends that "while Mordechai was the soul of Purim--the one who rectified the spiritual state of his people and summoned forth the divine salvation--Esther was Purim's body, the one who manipulated the physical events through which the salvation came about." In deference to Purim, Torah and More will next meet on March 16th.
16 February 2009 - Individuals attending Torah and More on Presidents Day were treated to a special presentation dealing with Abraham Lincoln's bicentennial that included information on his favorite Torah portion and a specific "good deed" that Lincoln performed on behalf of the Jewish community of his day. Bicentennial events taking place at synagogues and Jewish museums around the country were mentioned.
Lincoln's favorite Torah portion is thought to be the one in Exodus containing the Ten Commandments that was read (in accordance with the regular Torah reading cycle) last shabbat, the shabbat immediately following the 200th anniversary of his birth. This part of the Bible took on special significance for Lincoln as a young boy when he was called to the bedside of his mother shortly before her death.
According to historical accounts, Lincoln's mother advised young Abe to love God and to follow the commandments she had previously taught him (with the Bible being one of very few books that the family owned). Later in life, Abraham Lincoln would cite the Ten Commandments as the basis of his personal theology and recommend that others study the 20th chapter of Exodus where they first appear.
The "good deed" group members reflected on was Lincoln's successful effort to have congress approve legislation that for the first time allowed Jews to serve as military chaplains. Prior to the passage of this bill in 1862, the military chaplaincy had only been open to Christians. Participants felt that Jews serving in government related chaplaincy positions in America today should be mindful of this history.
The group also took time at this session to note the tragic death of the Buffalo area Reform cantor who had been a passenger on the plane that crashed in that city last week. This led to a discussion of the traditional use of yahrzeit (death commemoration) lists in view of how these lists have been expanded in some synagogues to include the mentioning of historic birthdays like that of Abraham Lincoln.
As springtime approaches participants will be looking for more effective ways to share Torah and More material with congregational leaders (who have difficulty finding time for Jewish education) so worship can be made more interesting and religious school classes more informative. With a special JCRB Israel briefing scheduled for 2/23, Torah and More will next meet on 3/2 to discuss election results in Israel.
9 February 2009 - Individuals attending the Tu B'Shevat session of Torah and More discussed the significance that trees have in the Jewish religion. The group noted how this holiday, which has come to be celebrated as the new year for trees, serves as a good lead in for this week's Torah portion (Yitro) that recounts the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai with the Torah referred to in Proverbs 3:18 as an eitz chaim or "tree of life" for those who hold fast to it.
The variety of ways in which Torah can enhance our lives was discussed with the help of an article by Rabbi Eliezer Shore that is available in its entirety at the Orthodox web site nishmas.org. In this article Rabbi Shore contends that while "the tree of Torah" is a lifelong occupation and no one can master it all, the more one studies Torah the more one finds one's own particular niche.
Shore goes on to say "every soul is connected to a different branch of the Torah and every person, depending upon his or her inclination, can find in it personal meaning." Group members commented favorably on the examples this author provided (halacha, midrash and kabbalah) and then added examples of their own, including the basics of Jewish home making. Participants found this to be a fun and worthwhile exercise.
Offsetting the pleasure of this exercise however were the serious points made by Rabbi Samuel Stahl in his book Making The Timeless Timely. Stahl, who is a former editor of the Journal of Reform Judaism, claims that while Jewish education has been the key to Jewish survival for centuries, too few adults in today's Jewish communities demonstrate a personal commitment to Jewish learning that future generations can emulate.
Stahl considers this particularly regrettable, explaining that while secular studies can teach us how to make a better living, it is Jewish education that teaches us how to live better with higher ethical standards and a profound sense of our unique heritage as Jews. Group members agreed that Kol Ami should continue to support education at both the child and adult levels with more being done among adults/parents to model Jewish learning for synagogue youth.
Torah and More remains open to new participants. Upcoming sessions will continue to relate classic Jewish texts to current events with particular focus on developments in the United States and Israel. Next week's topic will borrow from the Presidents Day theme to look at how religious freedom is faring in the United States and Israel given recent elections in both countries. Jewish views of Abraham Lincoln's bicentennial will also be shared.
2 February 2009 - Held one day prior to the opening of the Pope John Paul II exhibit at Union Station that commemorates positive relationships in his life with Jews and the State of Israel, individuals attending this session of Torah and More discussed news stories relating to problems in Catholic-Jewish relations today--four years after the death of John Paul II and four decades after the Second Vatican Council that had been convened by Pope John XXIII.
Unlike Pope John Paul II who had excommunicated bishops associated with the controversial Society of St. Pius X, his successor Pope Benedict XVI has just lifted their excommunication. What makes this issue so controversial in the Jewish community is the fact that this Society continues to oppose the Second Vatican Council's call for closer relationships with Jews and Judaism. One of these bishops has been outspoken in denying the Holocaust.
As summarized in a recent French Press Agency (AFP) news article, Pope Benedict XVI has already undermined ties with Judaism by condoning use of the old Tridentine mass in Latin which includes a Good Friday prayer for the conversion of Jews to Catholicism. He also "made waves" by encouraging the process of beatifying Pope Pius XII who has been accused by World War II scholars of remaining silent during the Holocaust.
Having read about manna in this week's Torah portion and how it tasted different to different individuals, group members applied the following Samson Rafael Hirsch quote to differences in theology. "The ancient unbending word of God, which until now thwarted so many desires and demanded so many sacrifices, has been turned into a heavenly manna, reflecting everyone's own wishes, echoing their own notions, hallowing their own ambitions."
The group concluded by discussing how compliance with the Ten Commandments should be a requirement for anyone considering the priesthood for a vocation (not unlike criteria for the rabbinate) and how Holocaust denial and charges of deicide could be viewed as violations of the commandment that prohibits bearing false witness against one's neighbors. Catholic web site vocation.com stresses that suitability for ordination is determined by God.
Visits to the John Paul II exhibit are encouraged along with the special events that will be occurring in conjunction with it through March. Sponsors of this exhibit are Avila University, Conception Abbey and the Jewish Community Relations Bureau/American Jewish Committee. Next week Torah and More will be discussing Tu B'Shevat along with the symbolic significance that trees (i.e. eitz chaim) have in Judaism.
26 January 2009 - Individuals attending Torah and More's post-inauguration session cited Exodus 10:3 (in which Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let the Jewish people go for three days to worship God in the wilderness) as basis for discussing the range of venues available for prayer in today's world. Group members found that responses to this question varied between Orthodox and non-Orthodox Judaism.
While Reform, Conservative and Orthodox rabbis all participated in the interfaith service held at National Cathedral with the Obamas and Bidens in attendance one day after the inauguration, the Orthodox rabbi was rebuked for participation in this service by his Orthodox rabbinic organization (RCA) unlike the Reform and Conservative rabbis whose church appearances had been approved by their denominational leaders.
The Orthodox rabbi who took part in this service is Haskel Lookstein of New York City. He defended his decision by stating that it was "only right" for the Orthodox community to be supporting the president in "a visible way" when the president is being supported by representatives of the Conservative and Reform movements. It is unusual for an Orthodox rabbi to acknowledge non-Orthodox influence in this way.
Further indication that some Orthodox leaders are viewing non-Orthodox Judaism more favorably now than in the past came at a recent forum where the speakers were the heads of Orthodox, Conservative and Reform theological schools. At this event, Yeshiva University president Richard Joel commented that he admired Reform and Conservative Judaism's willingness to act in the world beyond the Jewish community.
Opportunities to participate in interfaith worship are not limited to inauguration related services in Washington DC. Kol Ami members have an opportunity each year to take part in interfaith services in celebration of Thanksgiving, in commemoration of Martin Luther King and in support of Israel. Group members who have attended these programs described them as being generally positive and reaffirming.
Next week Torah and More will take a look at recent developments in Catholic-Jewish relations including controversies relating to Pope Benedict XVI and Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann who is the former Catholic priest currently serving as president of the United Nations General Assembly. Exodus 16:15 will help set the theme with its connection to how different people experience God's sustenance in different ways.
19 January 2009 - Individuals attending Torah and More discussed Black-Jewish relations and the larger context within which Martin Luther King Day and Barack Obama's inauguration could be viewed. Dr. King's voice was heard in a brief sound clip acknowledging Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's presence at the 1967 Riverside Church (NYC) speech in which King expressed opposition to racism, materialism and the Vietnam War.
Heschel first met King in 1963 at a conference on race and religion held in Chicago. He then marched alongside King in the well known 1965 civil rights march in Selma, Alabama. On that occasion Heschel remarked that he felt as if his feet were praying. The close relationship between Heschel and King continues to be a model for interfaith relationships bringing together clergy with diverse backgrounds.
Obama has shown that he is aware of the involvement of Jews in the civil rights movement. Last year, while still a member of the US Senate, he introduced a resolution that passed commemorating the deaths of two young Jewish activists (Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner) who had been murdered along with a Black civil rights worker (James Chaney) in June 1964 providing basis for the Mississippi Burning movie.
Obama's choice of Reverend Joseph Lowery to give the benediction at his presidential inauguration this week relates back to the civil rights movement as well. It was in partnership with Lowery that King established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. One time that Lowery became controversial in the Jewish community was in 1979 when he visited PLO leader Yasser Arafat and expressed support for him.
Group members spoke favorably about Kol Ami's current practice of inviting Black ministers and their congregations to take part in an annual Martin Luther King themed service at Kol Ami especially this year with the inclusion of choral and dance performances. Ideas were shared about how ties between Black and Jewish communities could be strengthened despite political and theological differences.
The Reform movement's rabbinic organization (CCAR) provided "Race Relations Sabbath" messages to its members during the 1950s and 1960s. The message that was issued 50 years ago in 1959 identified civil rights as "the most urgent social challenge" that confronted religious leaders at that time. Exodus 10:3 with its implications for today's world will be discussed at the next Torah and More.
12 January 2009 - After reviewing the list of 8 rabbis who have participated in presidential inauguration ceremonies (starting with Samuel Thurman from St. Louis' United Hebrew Congregation who recited a prayer at Harry Truman's 1949 inauguration) individuals attending Torah and More discussed the controversial selection of Rick Warren by Barack Obama to give this year's invocation despite Warren's well known opposition to gay rights.
Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church that is located in Orange County, California. He is also the author of several books including the best selling Purpose Driven Life. Warren used his church's website this past year to endorse Proposition 8 in California which passed with the intent of amending the state constitution in such a way that same-sex marriages would once again be made illegal.
In expressing opposition to same-sex marriage Warren has likened homosexuality to incest and pedophilia. Rabbi David Ellenson who is the president of Hebrew Union College wrote a response that was published in the Orange County Register prior to the election. In this article Ellenson stated that the legality of same-sex marriages should be affirmed because all persons including homosexuals are created in the image of God.
It is not unusual for opponents of same-sex-marriage to cite Leviticus 18:22 which has been translated as characterizing homosexuality as an abomination. Discussion group members were shown where the entry on "homosexual behavior" could be found in the Plaut/UAHC Torah Commentary (page 881) that seeks to reinterpret this verse and reflect post-Biblical thinking on this sensitive subject.
In defense of Obama's invitation to Warren, Jewish adviser David Axelrod told NBC that as a "progressive president" Obama can be expected for the sake of the greater good to reach out to people that he does not always agree with. Obama has made two Saddleback appearances, in 2008 with John McCain during the campaign and in 2006 with Kansas Senator Sam Brownback at a forum promoting AIDS awareness.
URJ hosted Warren as a speaker at its 2007 biennial convention in California. It is clear that leaders of the Reform movement are trying to implement parts of Warren's model in growing larger congregations and in making worship services more meaningful. Ways in which this is being attempted will be evaluated at future sessions of Torah and More. Next week's discussion will focus on Black-Jewish relations and Martin Luther King Day.
5 January 2009 - Individuals attending Torah and More learned that the word chanukah in addition to being translated as dedication or rededication can also be properly translated as inauguration. The group then discussed how Jewish history will be made when Barack Obama becomes president. For the first time in American history, one Jewish White House chief of staff will be directly succeeded by another.
The new chief of staff will be Rahm Emanuel who worked in the Clinton White House and for the past 6 years has represented the same congressional district in Chicago that Rod Blagojevich had represented before him. Emanuel was born on 11/29/59 which was the 12th anniversary of the historic United Nations vote on Palestine which led to Israeli statehood. The UN now marks 11/29 as Palestinian (Arab) Solidarity Day.
A recent article in USA Today described how the current White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten organized a meeting of previous White House chiefs of staff to help Emanuel prepare for his new responsibilities. Among those invited was Ken Duberstein (the only other Jewish chief of staff in White House history) who despite being a Republican and having worked in the Reagan administration had endorsed Obama.
CNN reported that at this meeting Dick Cheney (who was chief of staff in the Ford administration) spoke up advising Emanuel how important it is to keep vice presidents "under control." Interestingly, Joseph Biden has selected a Jew to serve as chief of his vice presidential staff. Ron Klain is slotted for this position which is the same position Klain held when Al Gore was vice president.
Discussion group members also took time to read and discuss the recent interview with Rahm Emanuel's Orthodox rabbi that was conducted by the Religion News Service. In this interview, Rabbi Asher Lopatin of Chicago's Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation described Emanuel as a devout, down-to-earth family man who is self aware and capable of juggling ambition with pragmatism and humility.
In the next two weeks Torah and More will be taking a look at the ministers who have been invited to give the invocation and benediction at Obama's inauguration. On 1/12 the group will look at the relationship between Reverend Rick Warren and Jewish organizations including the URJ that have sought Warren out for advice. On 1/19 the group will discuss the positive role of Reverend Joseph Lowery in Black-Jewish relations.
18 December 2008 - The following information was gathered for Torah and More's 12/18 session which wound up not being held because of the weather. It is posted here for the benefit of our on-line readers. Torah and More will next meet (weather permitting) on January 5th when the group switches to Monday nights at 7:00pm. Our best wishes go out to everyone for a warm, safe and enjoyable Chanukah season.
While Chanukah does not appear in the Hebrew Bible it is commonly associated with a verse that does. Zechariah 4:6 foresees the rebuilding of the Temple following its destruction by the Babylonians and provides a theme for its second century BCE rededication which Chanukah commemorates by suggesting it is God's spirit that deserves credit for such achievements rather than the might or power of human beings.
This attitude is further reflected in the wording of the popular Chanukah song Rock of Ages/Ma'oz Tzur that expresses gratitude to God for having vanquished Israel's foes with the following lyrics: "Furious they assailed us, But Thine arm availed us, And Thy word broke their sword, When our own strength failed us." It is customary for this song to be sung each night after lighting the Chanukah candles.
Not often noticed is the parallel that exists in this regard between Chanukah and the exploits of a Biblical hero by the name of Gideon who appears in the Book of Judges. When Gideon confronts the Midianites in an earlier fight for religious freedom, God directs Gideon in Judges 7:2 not to take too many men into battle so it can not be said later that human beings were responsible for the victory rather than God.
The fact that Jews have survived and often thrived over the centuries despite relatively small numbers has been seen by some (including non-Jews) as proof of God's existence. This disparity was pointed out again this past week by Britain's foreign minister who reminded the United Nations that the nation of Israel with its five million Jews is surrounded by 22 Arab countries with populations totaling nearly 300 million people.
This past week also brought reports of an unusual celebration at the White House where a special menorah on loan from the Truman Library was lit in the presence of President and Laura Bush by the grandsons of David Ben Gurion and Harry Truman. The menorah which dates back to 18th century Germany had been given to President Truman as a gift in 1951 by Ben Gurion who was then Israel's prime minister.
11 December 2008 - Individuals attending Torah and More on 12/11 discussed the strong possibility that physical safety at the Chabad House in Mumbai might have been compromised as the result of Chabad not complying with certain Talmudic principles. If so, this would add to the sense of tragedy surrounding the deaths of the six Jews who were recently killed there including Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka.
According to press reports, the Chabad House in Mumbai has since its 2003 inception acted in such a way as to deliberately separate itself from the historic Jewish community in Mumbai that is more than two thousand years old. This behavior contradicts a well known Talmudic verse (Pirke Avot 2:4) in which Hillel admonishes Jews to not separate themselves from the community.
Instead of identifying with Mumbai's indigenous Jews, Chabad has sought to establish relationships with visiting Israelis. According to figures published in the New Republic, an estimated 20,000 Israelis take their vacations in India each year after finishing their three year compulsory military service. Many come to Mumbai and stay at the Chabad House which is located near the Israeli Consulate.
The Israeli Consulate in Mumbai is located so close to the Chabad House that (according to the Jerusalem Post) its security officer was able to race over in response to an emergency phone call from Rabbi Holtzberg at the beginning of the terrorist attack. Unfortunately, the phone call came too late and the security officer was not able to assist. To date, none of Mumbai's nine synagogues have ever been attacked.
Chabad officials have announced that they will be rebuilding the Mumbai facility in its present location on the touristy Colaba side of town rather than in a Jewish neighborhood. Officials have promised to make the renovated facility nicer with additional security. A media characterization of Chabad Houses as being "spiritual oases" brought to mind a second Talmudic verse that the group found interesting.
Ta'anit 11a states that when a community is in trouble, a person should not say "I will go into my house and eat and drink and be at peace with myself." On this same point, Rabbi Israel Salanter remarked in the 19th century that while spiritual life is superior to physical life, the physical life of another ought to be an obligation of one's spiritual life. This discussion group will switch to Mondays starting 1/5.
4 December 2008 - Individuals attending Torah and More on 12/4 continued their discussion of Islamic terrorism in South Asia (a discussion the group had started in advance of the Mumbai attacks) by examining the military partnership that currently exists between Israel and India. While majority Hindu, India does have the second highest number of Shiite Muslims of any country with only Iran having more.
Iran takes great interest in India's domestic affairs and objected strongly to India's launch earlier this year of Israel's Polaris/TecSar satellite that is designed (according to Israeli press reports) to keep a close watch on Iran's nuclear capabilities. Utilizing synthetic aperture radar, this satellite is able to see through clouds, look through certain roof tops and make out details as small as a vehicle's license plate number.
In response to the January 2008 launch, Iran's ambassador to India was quoted as saying that he hoped "wise and independent countries such as India would not give their space technology to other countries to launch instruments for spying against friendly countries like Iran." The BBC quoted an unnamed source as saying that the Islamic world would see this as further sign of a "sinister tie-up" between Israel and India.
According to a Brookings Institution report published in March of this year, India is now Israel's biggest buyer of arms and weapons systems. This includes the controversial sale of Phalcon AWACS airplanes and laser guided munitions along with upgrades for aircraft and tanks that India had originally purchased from Russia. Prior to establishing diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, India had been a Soviet ally.
Targeting of the Chabad House in Mumbai was discussed in connection with a Jewish Telegraphic Agency article that indicated how this facility had become linked with the Israeli army as the result of many Israelis going there for relaxation following military service. Interestingly, no other Jewish sites were included in the Mumbai attacks and all six Jews who were killed at the Chabad House were buried in Israel.
Torah and More will keep an eye on Jewish and global interests in South Asia as the United States seeks to keep peace between India, Pakistan and Iran through diplomacy and by adding to America's military presence in the Arabian Sea where the US has positioned several aircraft carriers. The group will also be looking at possibilities for reconciliation such as modeled by Jacob and Esau in next week's Torah portion.
20 November 2008 - What will the foreign policy of the new Obama administration look like with regard to Israel and other "Jewish interests" around the world? That is the question that individuals attending Torah and More discussed on November 20th aided by three news articles that represent current thinking in Israel, the United States and in Pakistan where Muslims constitute the majority of the population.
Before speculating on the new Obama administration, views were exchanged on what the lasting legacy would be of the current Bush administration with regard to foreign affairs. It was agreed that it is much harder to determine how George W. Bush will be viewed by historians in the future than it is to see how relatively unpopular he and his policies are today in the United States and in other parts of the world.
The United States article that was read was a wire service story that described President Bush's speech last week at the United Nations (his last speech there as president) that focused on religious diversity. Bush took certain Muslim nations to task in his remarks for not supporting religious freedom within their own borders, a right that was included 60 years ago in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The article from a Pakistani newspaper provided perspective from John Esposito who directs the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. In this article, Esposito is quoted as saying that "most Muslims, like Westerners, are deeply concerned about religious extremism and terrorism, considering that the majority of attacks and victims have been in the Muslim world."
Representing some of the thinking in Israel was a position paper written by Roni Bart who is a research fellow at Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies. According to Bart, Obama appears more attentive to Palestinian rights than to Israel's security needs and will probably bring "a greater sense of urgency to the diplomatic process." More will become known as Obama completes his cabinet.
Torah and More will not be meeting on November 27th which is Thanksgiving Day. Individuals are encouraged instead to attend the Prairie Village Interfaith Thanksgiving Service which is being hosted this year by Cherokee Christian Church and will take place Sunday, November 23rd at 7:00pm. Contact Barry Speert at 913-677-2896 to suggest topics for upcoming Torah and More sessions resuming December 4th.
13 November 2008 - Individuals attending Torah and More on November 13th took a close look at the Od Avinu Chai lyrics that were sung so beautifully by the Kol Ami Junior Choir at the previous Friday night service. Discussion centered on who the father is in this lyric that is translated in English as "yet our father lives" coupled with Am Yisrael Chai which is translated as "the people of Israel lives."
The father here is thought by scholars (such as Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald of the National Jewish Outreach Program) not to be God, but the patriarch Jacob. Basis for this can be found in Genesis 45:3 where Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers in Egypt and asks them Ha'od Avi Chai which is translated in the form of a question as "is my father yet alive". Rabbis have interpreted this verse in different ways.
One was to establish that Joseph's father was in deed well and that a belated reunion could be held between father and son just as a reunion was then taking place between Joseph and his brothers. Another level of meaning ascribed to this verse is that Joseph found the ways of his father and the faith his father helped establish to still be joyously alive within himself despite many years of assimilation in Egypt.
Participants discussed how assimilation can be resisted and the "ways of Jacob" kept alive in today's multicultural world. Responses included being better able to share our story with others, observing Jewish holidays more completely, expanding knowledge of Hebrew and being sure to include actual words of Torah in D'var Torahs that are presented at services, committee meetings and other synagogue functions.
Also brought up for discussion were instances in Jewish and Christian liturgy where the term father clearly does apply to God. One well known example in Judaism is Avinu Malkeinu (our Father our King) which is found in the high holy day prayer book. One well known example in Christianity is Gloria Patri, a regular part of Sunday worship in many churches that references God as "the Father" part of the trinity.
From an interfaith aspect, mention was made of the historic conference on religious tolerance held this week at United Nations headquarters in New York. Speakers included President Bush, Israeli President Peres and Saudi King Abdullah. This conference will be discussed at greater length next week when more information is available including possible implications for the Middle East peace process.
6 November 2008 - Individuals attending the 11/6 session of Torah and More discussed the election of Barack Obama with particular regard to how Judaism has traditionally viewed diversity among human beings. Characteristic of this view is the following statement from Rabbi David Saperstein who heads the Reform movement's Religious Action Center in Washington, DC.
"Jewish tradition teaches us that human beings are created b'tselem elohim--in the divine image. As it says in Genesis 1:27, 'in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.' Regardless of context, discrimination against any person arising from apathy, insensitivity, ignorance, fear, or hatred is inconsistent with this fundamental belief."
In line with this, group members considered it unfortunate that in her bid to be reelected to a US senate seat in North Carolina, Elizabeth Dole (wife of Bob Dole) chose to depict her Presbyterian opponent in a TV commercial as "Godless" for having accepted financial support from an atheist. Dole lost this race and wound up being roundly criticized for the ad with CNN calling it the "ugliest" of this campaign season.
This reminded some of the criticism that Bob Dole received for the manner in which he appealed to religious voters in his successful 1974 senate reelection campaign (one year after the historic Roe v. Wade decision) by referring to his opponent Dr. Bill Roy as an abortionist "on demand". Dole biographer Richard Ben Cramer has termed the way this was done "the ugliest thing that anyone had ever seen in Kansas politics."
The Anti-Defamation League has sought on several occasions to provide guidance in the area of campaign rhetoric. For example, one ADL statement says that while candidates should feel comfortable explaining their religious convictions to voters, there is a point at which an emphasis on religion in a political campaign becomes "inappropriate and even unsettling in a religiously diverse society such as ours."
Attend Kol Ami's Torah and More adult education program on Thursdays at 7:00 to express your thoughts and keep current with the latest developments impacting world Jewry. We thank the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle for including information on the creation of this blog in their latest issue. Next topic up for discussion will be the interfaith event at the United Nations bringing together Israeli and Saudi leaders.
30 October 2008 - Individuals attending Torah and More on October 30th explored the diversity of opinion that exists in both the Jewish and general communities as the 2008 general election approaches. It was noted how, since the time of FDR, the bulk of the Jewish vote in presidential elections has gone to the Democratic candidate. That pattern is not expected to change this time around.
The historical basis for this pattern is thought to be the Democratic Party's perceived support of those who are less well off in society as compared to the Republican Party that has been generally perceived as being less interested in social justice issues. One segment of the Jewish community that is more likely to vote for Republicans are Orthodox Jews who are less concerned about church/state issues and reproductive freedom.
Group members shared what they considered the biggest challenges Obama or McCain would face upon election and what advice they would offer if group members were given an opportunity to do so. Barry Speert referred to a conversation that he had with McCain following the 2000 election which Barry had helped cover as a commentator on KMBC-TV9 and KMBZ-AM980.**
The group also reflected on leadership qualities as described in an article contrasting Golda Meir's leadership qualities with those of Deborah in Biblical times. Both were viewed as exemplary women who surmounted difficult challenges in their leadership roles. It was also noted how the Bible requires that a king have a Torah written during his reign so he does not lose sight of the people's rights and the king's responsibilities.
**Barry is scheduled to appear on KCPT-TV19's post -election show with Nick Haines which will be seen on Friday evening 11/7 and rebroadcast Sunday morning 11/9. Next week's Torah and More will focus on election results from a Jewish perspective including the pricey Minnesota senate race where Jewish Democrat Al Franken is challenging Jewish Republican Norm Coleman. Torah and More is Kol Ami's new adult education program that meets on Thursdays at 7:00pm.
23 October 2008 - The same evening Sarah Palin indicated on NBC Nightly News that she did not view the bombing of "abortion clinics" as terrorist acts (link) individuals attending Kol Ami's Torah and More adult education class examined the definition of terrorism Israel's foreign minister Tzipi Livni had used in a previous interview with Nightline's John Donovan that was seen on ABC television stations.
In this Nightline broadcast, Livni (who is currently seeking to become Israel's next prime minister) said that terrorist acts are acts of political violence directed at civilian rather than military or governmental targets. This response opened Livni up to criticism both in Israel and the United States where it was felt by some that she had erred by not including attacks against Israel's soldiers via asymmetrical or unconventional methods.
For having made this remark, the New York Post published an editorial with the headline reading "Livni's Lunacy" and Knesset member Uri Ariel of the National Union-National Religious Party demanded Livni be fired immediately from her cabinet level position. Ariel was irate in expressing his contention that as a result of this interview Livni had given "legitimacy" to attacks against Israel's soldiers.
Some analysts consider Livni's definition to be self serving since it was her father Eitan Livni who had been director of operations for the Irgun at the time it bombed British military headquarters at Jerusalem's King David Hotel in 1946. This attack, done with explosives concealed in milk canisters, resulted in the deaths of 91 people despite warning calls having reportedly been made in advance to evacuate the building.
Depending upon what happens now, Tzipi Livni may become Israel's second female prime minister in its 60 year history. The group reflected on a list of terrorist acts committed by Palestinian Arabs during Golda Meir's administration which included such targets as a school in Maalot and an apartment building in Kiryat Shmona. It was also under Meir that Israel was taken by surprise at the beginning of the Yom Kippur War.
How Biblical and post-Biblical sources view the suitability of women to hold political office will be discussed at next week's session along with the larger question of what Judaism suggests we look for in selecting leaders and giving them powers consistent with Jewish values. This group meets on Thursdays at 7:00pm and remains open to new participants. Contact Barry Speert at 913-677-2896 for more information.
16 October 2008 - Individuals attending Kol Ami's first ever Torah and More class on Thursday evening (October 16th) looked at Simchat Torah from Biblical and psychological perspectives. The final verses from the Book of Deuteronomy which are traditionally read at the evening Simchat Torah service were translated and discussed in this class. Attendees were struck by how sad and militant these verses are for a "festive" holiday as they recount Moses' death and call for the destruction of Israel's enemies.
It was noted how the Hebrew word for destroy (as used in this passage) has four letters that begin with the same three letters which spell out Hashem, one of God's names. Joshua's historic role as Moses' successor was also discussed, as his name appears in these verses and there is a tradition likening the traditional seven times the Torah is carried around a synagogue during a Simchat Torah service to the seven times that Jericho was circled before it was conquered.
When group members were asked what they would like to see conquered or destroyed in today's world, answers included maladaptive behaviors such as the trafficking and use of illegal drugs. Next week's class will focus on definitions of terrorism and the alleged place of terrorism in Jewish history and the family background of Zipporah Livni who is currently seeking to become Israel's next prime minister. For more information contact Barry Speert at 913-677-2896.
