- Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
…store the prosperity of the agriculturalists,” writes Tute, “that the Land Code of 1858 was framed. …It is clear that this legislation could only be given effect to by setting up a system of land registration.”13 The Land Code of 1858 was thus soon followed by the Tapu Law of 14 December 1858 which provided for the issuance of title-deeds. “Procedures for registration, not only of old title, but also of transfers, inheritance, vivification of mewa…
…paring for your Bar Mitzva with discipline and motivation. Virtually every night before bedtime for practically a year you would put on your kippah and practice a part of what you have demonstrated today. You have always made me proud of the kind of person you are and today I am especially proud of your presence, command and coming of age as a young Jewish man. …
…ses Maimonides, the Rambam, broke the mold with the publication of his law code Mishne Torah. In his concise Hebrew, the Rambam systematized much of the known body of practical Jewish law into a law code that could serve as a quick reference guide to any student or judge. But unlike previous law books, this book did not include minority opinions, did not quote passages from the Talmud as its source of authority, did not present compelling argument…
…tories really involve two different Kings with the same name. The story in today’s parsha is the last of the three episodes. The appearance in the Bible of two versions of a story is called a doublet — what we have here is sometimes called a triplet, although some scholars deny that these three form a true triplet because they see today’s passage as an independent story simply offering an episode in the life of Isaac. First let’s compare the three…
…tions not to use force to make them transgress and violate their ancestral code. They said, “If you propose at all costs to set up the image, slay us first before you carry out these resolutions. For it is not possible for us to survive and to behold actions that are forbidden us by the decision both of our lawgiver and of our ancestors. … In order to preserve our ancestral code, we shall patiently endure what may be in store for us… for God will…
…it’s too much to say that Joanne could not have accomplished what she did today without the help of Ruthie Greenblatt, whose birthday we are celebrating today. Ruth’s faith in Joanne’s ability long predated Joanne’s faith in herself. Ruth’s patience, her talent, her inspiration, and her astonishing capacity to give of herself are the stuff of miracle. The hardest thing to do is to praise a righteous person, because the language of praise is cheap…
…odward Rabbi Eric Woodward became the spiritual leader in June 2021. BEKI today is a growing congregation with well over three hundred member families. Most of our members live in New Haven, and one exciting trend is the large group of members who have moved to the neighborhood of Westville to be close to, even within walking distance, of the shul. Members also live in the downtown, East Rock, and Beaver Hills neighborhoods, as well as in numerou…
…ation, the stress is on God’s one-ness, indivisibility. More commonly used today is, “Hear O Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai alone.” This version affirms two ideas — that we believe Adonai is God, and that God is unique. Rashi wrote that Adonai Elokenu refers to now, and to the God of the Jewish people; and the second half refers to the end of days, when all the world will be united in worship of one God: “Ba-yom ha-hu, yehiye Adonai ehad u-shem…
…others. You’ll notice that I’m the one that gets to speak the most English today! In other words, a free will offering. The spirit of Shavuot is also one of renewal of commitment, the taking on of the Torah. It was in that spirit that we’ve carried on and come before you today. Additionally, we read in the notes for the text that in many congregations, Shavuot is the time when children are initiated into the formal study of Jewish religion and Heb…
…sat with me for many hours teaching me the psalms and services that I sang today; and my father and rabbi, Jon-Jay, for helping me write my devar Torah and for enthusiastically correcting my Hebrew accents and pronunciations. I want to thank my loving mother who taught me the haftora portion and trope. Thank you, Tsvi and Noam, for all of your brotherly love. And thank you to all of you here today for sitting through my captivating devar Torah abo…
