![Finding God and Ourselves Anew](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matt_Berkowitz_updated_headshot-300x300.jpg)
Finding God and Ourselves Anew
Sep 3, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ha'azinu | Shabbat Shuvah | Rosh Hashanah | Yom Kippur
During the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we devote ourselves to the process of repentance, attempting to tip the balance in our favor as we approach the Day of Atonement.
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Zichronot (Memories)
Sep 3, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary | Rosh Hashanah
In the three great themes of Rosh Hashanah, the encounter with memories (zichronot) is nestled between the power of sovereignty (malchuyot) and the triumphant, enigmatic sound of the shofar (shofarot). Zichronot reminds us that each of us is remembered, that our acts are significant, that we come, each of us individually, into the divine presence. In spite of the massive processing power of our machines, there are problems that cannot be solved—even if every computer on earth were to be harnessed in parallel.
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It’s All Torah
Sep 3, 2013 By Danielle Upbin | Commentary | Ha'azinu
Years ago, when I was a student living in the mystical city of Safed in Israel’s Northern District, a teacher of mine asked our group of young seekers, “What is the most important book in your life?”
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Moving Forward Meaningfully
Aug 28, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Nitzavim | Vayeilekh | Rosh Hashanah | Yom Kippur
The parashiyot of Nitzavim–Vayeilekh are intimately woven into the rhythm of the liturgical year as they are typically read either immediately preceding Rosh Hashanah or during the intervening Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
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To What Shall We Return?
Aug 28, 2013 By Lisa Gelber | Commentary | Nitzavim | Vayeilekh
As we engage in teshuvah, (re)turning to the deep, soulful place hidden beneath the barriers we erect for others and ourselves, we must ask ourselves to what we are returning and how that relocation will manifest itself in our lives.
Read More![Selichot: Body, Soul . . . “Will You Hear My Voice?”](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/barth__dr._samuel_square.jpg)
Selichot: Body, Soul . . . “Will You Hear My Voice?”
Aug 28, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
This coming Saturday night in (Ashkenazi) synagogues around the world, congregations gather for the beginning of Selichot, the prayers and poems that inspire and guide us to seek forgiveness. Many of us will spend hours in the coming weeks turning through pages of ancient (and modern) words, hearing melodies and chants that have served so well as the pathway for the journey of the soul.
Read More![Blessing and Curse](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/arnie_eisen-300x300.jpg)
Blessing and Curse
Aug 21, 2013 By Arnold M. Eisen | Commentary | Ki Tavo
This week’s portion contains some of the highest highs and lowest lows in the entire Torah—or in any other work of literature, for that matter. At the start of the parashah, Israelites in the wilderness are asked to picture what it will be like to testify, from inside the Land of Israel, that they have seen God’s promises of blessing fulfilled. At the end of the parashah, those same Israelites are subjected to 54 verses of terrifying curses detailing the punishments awaiting them “if you fail to observe faithfully all the terms of this Teaching” (Deut. 28:58).
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“Which You, O Lord, Have Given Me”
Aug 21, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ki Tavo
Having underscored the role of memory at the conclusion of last week’s parashah (remembering the cruelty of Amalek), Torah now accentuates the importance of appreciation in Parashat Ki Tavo.
Read More![We Have Met the Enemy, and the Enemy Is Us](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/marc_gary-300x300.jpg)
We Have Met the Enemy, and the Enemy Is Us
Aug 14, 2013 By Marc Gary | Commentary | Ki Tetzei
How does war affect the human soul? Our Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, begins with a verse that raises these issues in a stark and discomfiting manner.
Read More![“No’am Adonai” (the Beauty of Adonai): Psalm 27 and Elul](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/barth__dr._samuel_square.jpg)
“No’am Adonai” (the Beauty of Adonai): Psalm 27 and Elul
Aug 14, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
“[L]ahazot beno’am Adonai ul’vaker b’heychalo” (To gaze upon the beauty of Adonai, and to visit in God’s sanctuary) [Ps. 27:4]d
Read More![Ethics of War](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matt_Berkowitz_updated_headshot-300x300.jpg)
Ethics of War
Aug 14, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Ki Tetzei
Parashat Ki Tetzei opens by teaching one of the biblical ordinances related to ethical conduct in war.
Read More![Healing of Body and Soul (Part 2)](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/barth__dr._samuel_square.jpg)
Healing of Body and Soul (Part 2)
Aug 7, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
If an anthropology student from the University of Mars were to attend a Shabbat morning service in an American Jewish synagogue, what kind of understanding about our real synagogue lives might emerge in the student’s term paper on the topic? The essay might suggest that announcements and kiddush are the most important parts of the experience because that is when the most people are present. The Martian professor (whose appearance we will not explore here) might urge the student to be more subtle and to observe closely the body language of the human participants to discern which parts of the service are most engaging and important to those present.
Read More![Roads to Nonviolence](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ofra_backenroth-300x300.jpg)
Roads to Nonviolence
Aug 7, 2013 By Ofra Arieli Backenroth | Commentary | Shofetim
Is there a way to wage war in a humane way?
Read More![Leave Egypt Behind](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matt_Berkowitz_updated_headshot-300x300.jpg)
Leave Egypt Behind
Aug 7, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shofetim
The Cairo Genizah—a treasure trove of Jewish history rediscovered by Solomon Schechter toward the end of the 19th century (43,000 fragments of which are housed in The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary)—attests to the rich Jewish life that flourished in Egypt and beyond.
Read More![The Song of Berditchev](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/jtslogo_pms173___high_res_square-300x300.jpg)
The Song of Berditchev
Aug 5, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Podcast or Radio Program
What happens when a rabbi refuses to continue Yom Kippur services? Find out in this archival recording of The Eternal Light radio program from 1953.
Read More![Healing of Body and Soul (Part 1)](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/barth__dr._samuel_square.jpg)
Healing of Body and Soul (Part 1)
Jul 31, 2013 By Samuel Barth | Commentary
In addition to the well-known mi sheberakh prayer for healing recited (or sung, in modern versions) during the Shabbat Torah Service, our liturgy engages with the theme of healing in the weekday ‘Amidah, in the blessing that begins, “Refa’einu Adonai veneraf’ei, hoshi’einu venivashe’a” (Heal us, Adonai, and we shall be healed, save us and we shall be saved). The blessing continues, asking for complete healing (refu’ah sh’leymah) for all among the People of Israel who are unwell.
Read More![Balancing Peshat and Sensitivity](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matt_Berkowitz_updated_headshot-300x300.jpg)
Balancing Peshat and Sensitivity
Jul 31, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Re'eh
Parashat Re’eh contains a categorical pronouncement against idolatry in the Land of Israel.
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Bacon in the Season of Repentance
Jul 31, 2013 By Charlie Schwartz | Commentary | Re'eh
As it becomes clear that living and dealing with “bacon mania” is part of early 21st-century life in the United States, now is a good time to reflect on the Jewish prohibition of eating pork, which appears in this week’s parashah.
Read More![Gratitude for the Land](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matt_Berkowitz_updated_headshot-300x300.jpg)
Gratitude for the Land
Jul 24, 2013 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Eikev
Parashat Eikev is centered on the Land of Israel.
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Living in Uncertain Times: Responses to Crisis in the Bible and in Our Own Lives
Jul 24, 2013 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Public Event video
Whether dealing with personal crisis or collective catastrophe, recovering from emotional and physical hurt is difficult. How do people in the Bible respond to disaster and suffering? And how, from an emotinal and psychological perspective, can these models guide us in coping with and recovering from trauma?
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