- 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
…e because one had a surplus of food and a storage area. It was also considered a sign of having Gods favor at least if one acquired one’s wealth honestly. Living with great wealth was bad because people—following their human nature—could steal one’s wealth for their own personal benefit. Abram took his sheep with him because his intent was to never go back. When I went to Phoenix, I did not take my gerbil with me because I was planning on returnin…
…or cars at every crosswalk. He still needs reminders sometimes, but he more-or-less has learned how to cross the street safely. If something doesn’t make sense to Shai, or if he doesn’t see a point to it, he won’t pay attention to it. If we give him instructions with the singular intention of keeping him safe, if he doesn’t understand why it’s important to follow the directions, he is likely to disregard them. When he rides his scooter to shul, he…
…fifties, and officials for tens.” A few verses back, Yitro, Moshe’s father-in-law, had suggested this judicial plan as a solution to Moshe’s volume problem. Moshe was supposed to judge every case among the Israelites, civil or criminal, by himself, from dawn to dusk. Yitro knew that Moshe wouldn’t last for long that way, and came up with this system. I conjecture that the basic premise in Yitro’s plan was that the people needed Moshe’s authority,…
…ase the guilt from the person’s shoulders this way. Even if the person injured doesn’t fully believe this explanation, it can contribute to reconciliation. But the drawback to this approach becomes apparent. Joseph’s removing the evil his brothers did to him from the realm of human judgment allows him to sidestep a difficult confrontation that could ultimately have been healing. It precludes his expressing his legitimate grievance to them about ha…
…actual burial is a specific mitzva (religious imperative) and it is considered a great act of kindness to provide others with this final act of service. Mourners are not usually required or expected to perform the actual burial, but they may do so if they are able. Dear Rabbi, I was recently paying a shiva call. Despite my intense effort to limit my conversation to words of comfort to the mourners, words of Torah, and recollections of the deceas…
…ed the first to raise the donkey. The first driver then began to think, “So-and-so is thus my friend, and I did not even know it.” Both entered an inn and ate and drank together. What happened here? The second driver remembered the mitzva of helping others, even a meanie, and so he returned to help the driver whose donkey had the flat tire. Now this little story tells us exactly what was the dynamic that reconciled these two people. That’s what un…
…om easily preventable and treatable conditions? Would not their efforts be better directed toward promoting human welfare? While in California a $40,000 reward was offered to find the person who killed a dog, there is no reward for missing children in California, let alone concern for those in distant lands. As far as it goes, this criticism is valid. But the same reasoning should apply to all other causes. How can people advocate for the “right”…
…uld we be? Sincere effort is made to be kind and respectful to extended non-Jewish family members at life-cycle events. Indeed, many non-Jewish people participate happily in most aspects of our synagogue community. Even more so at other Jewish institutions such as the Jewish Community Center or Jewish Family Service; everyone is most welcome. And more importantly, many non-Jewish people have achieved great success in raising Jewish children. It’s…
…, “the Jews” don’t control the press; if we did, certain people would be getting much less coverage, or at least much more critical coverage. But each of us can speak, write or act in ways that consistently advocate the elimination of prejudice and hatred, that promote mutual respect and tolerance. While we have a few organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and leaders who speak out courageously when others are silent, they can neve…
…bove all else. Length, language, or location are secondary considerations. Better a few words from the heart than the whole confessional of Yom Kippur. Indeed, the Prayer of Moses for his sister Miriam is pointed to as an ideal prayer: “Please God, please heal her.” In Hebrew it is five single-syllable words. The traditional prayers are valuable in that by reciting them we are habituated to prayer, we learn the vocabulary of prayer, and we fulfill…
