IJII

The Judges of Your Generation: Thoughts on Parashat Shofetim, September 6, 2008

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

When the Talmud cannot answer a question definitively, it sometimes uses the word "Teiku".  This is understood to be an acronym for the words; Tishbi yetaretz kushyot ubaayot i.e. Elijah the prophet (when the Messiah comes) will resolve these difficult questions and problems.

The Kashruth Controversies: Thoughts on Parshat Re'eh, August 30, 2008

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

A story is told of a shohet (ritual slaughterer) who had come to a new town to assume his duties. As was customary, he first went to the home of the town's Rabbi to be tested on the laws and customs of ritual slaughter. The Rabbi asked the shohet to show him how he examined the knife, to be sure that it was perfectly smooth and sharp, without any blemishes. The shohet carefully moved his thumb up and down the blade of the knife.

The Rabbi asked the shohet: who taught you how to examine the knife?

The shohet answered: I studies with the illustrious Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. He showed me how to examine the knife!

Why Didn't the Israelites Pray for Moses?

Thoughts for Shabbat August 23, 2008

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

In last week's Torah portion, Va-et-hanan, we read of Moses' plea to the Almighty to let him enter the Promised Land.  With consummate humility and piety, Moses prayed that God would allow him the satisfaction of completing his mission as leader of the Israelites. He had devoted forty difficult years in the wilderness, in the hope of bringing the people of Israel into the land of milk and honey. In spite of Moses' heartfelt prayer, the Almighty did not rescind HIs verdict that Moses was not to enter the Promised Land. God told him to ascend the mountain and look at the land in the distance--that was as close as Moses would get to his goal.

Thoughts on Parashat Va-et-hanan

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

Different groups of Orthodox Jews go by different names. The term "Hareidim" has been adopted by right-wing Orthodoxy as a badge of religious honor. The word "Hareidim" literally means "tremblers" i.e. those who tremble before the Lord. (The word can also be accurately translated as quakers or shakers!)  The term "Hassidim" has been adopted by sects within Orthodoxy who follow particular Rebbes. While the word "hassidim" literally means those who are pious and kind, it has come to mean those who follow a particular Hassidic Rebbe.

Thoughts about Tisha B'Av

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

On this Saturday night, we begin the fast of Tisha B'Av. Throughout the world, Jews will be gathering to observe this mournful day in commemoration of the destructions of the First and Second Temples in ancient Jerusalem. We fast; we chant the book of Lamentations; we sing dirges bewailing our loss of the Temples, our long exile, our ongoing sufferings.

This article was included in a recently published book, A Dream of Zion, edited by Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, published by Jewish Lights Publishing Co.  The volume includes essays by a variety of authors, on the theme: American Jews Reflect on Why Israel Matters to Them.  Rabbi Salkin is a Reform rabbi, and many of the contributors to this volume are also Reform. There are a number of other Orthodox contributors as well.

Thoughts on Parashat Mattoth

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

As the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad approached Moses with a request. They stated that they had many flocks, and that they preferred not to cross the Jordan. They wanted to establish themselves on this side of the Jordan, and were willing to forego territory in the land of Canaan.

Thoughts on Parashat Pinehas

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

In this week's Torah reading, God tells Moses to ascend the mountain and look at the promised land. Although Moses is granted this view, he is told that he will not be allowed to enter the land. He will die outside the land, while the people he led will go ahead without him.

Moses responds: "God, Lord of spirits of all flesh, appoint someone to lead the people." Moses does not want the Israelites to be like a flock without a shepherd. When referring to God, Moses used an unusual description, Elo-hei ha-ruhot le-khol basar, Lord of spirits of all flesh. What exactly does this phrase mean?

Thoughts on Parashat Balak

By Rabbi Marc D. Angel

Balak, king of Moab, hired Bil'am to curse the people of Israel. Balak feared the advancing Israelites, and believed that Bil'am had the power to curse enemies and thereby destroy them. The Torah portion describes Bil'am's various attempts to curse Israel--but each time, God put words of blessing into his mouth. He simply was not able to curse Israel.

Thoughts on Parashat Hukkat

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

The Torah portion relates the episode where the Israelites complain bitterly that they need water. They ask Moses why he took them from Egypt only to let them die of thirst in the wilderness. What kind of leader was he, if this is all he could do for them?