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Bechukotai

The Wisdom of Chovav

Submitted by Rabbi Menachem Creditor [Berkeley, CA] on Mon, Jun 16, 2008

Guiding well is complicated. Sometimes the best guides share their wisdom, and sometimes they provide space for trial and error on the path towards understanding. Which pedagogy do we seekers desire? And what kind of impact does a teacher's choice have on our abilities to successfully traverse personal journeys?

As Moses and the Israelites are preparing to emerge from the base of Mount Sinai, we read of Moses approaching his father-in-law Chovav:  read more »

Rabbi Menachem Creditor is rabbi of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, CA. He is also founder of ShefaNetwork: (The Conservative Movement Dreaming from Within), co-founder of KeshetRabbis (The Alliance of Gay-Friendly Conservative and Masorti Rabbis), and author of TheTisch, an electronic commentary on Jewish Spirituality. He is a popular speaker at synagogues, college campuses, and various communities on questions of Jewish Identity, Leadership, and Spirituality. As one half of Shirav, a Jewish folk-music group, he has spread passion, comfort, and joy to audiences around North America and Israel.
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My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - B'Hukkotai

Submitted by Daniel M. Kimmel [Brookline, MA] on Fri, May 23, 2008
daniel.kimmel@rcn.com's picture

Parshah B’Hukkotai is known for its rendering of blessings followed by the “Tokhehah” (the “Reproach” or, more plainly, curses, for failing to follow the Law). As always, taking some time with a verse that might be quickly glossed over yields interesting results. The opening verse (Lev. 26:3) tells us, “If you follow My laws and faithfully observe my commandments.” It’s the opening clause that leads to the sections of blessings.  read more »

I'm a film critic in Boston (Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Variety, Jewish Advocate), lecturer (Suffolk University, private groups) and MC for the New England Region of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs. My one paragraph drashes are for my brotherhood newsletter. You may use them for your own.

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