- 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
…I am simply observing that the core philosophical outlook and values that support the notion of free speech and open inquiry are deeply imbedded in Jewish religious culture, and that we rightly draw from this well of thought and wisdom in implementing Judaism in our day. The very structure of the Mishna, the Talmud, and even the law codes — the central rabbinic texts — embody this openness, this search for truth. While we must admit that sometime…
…y. And it is not that they are freeloaders who would never offer financial support to the shul; it’s just that they need to experience the community and understand its needs before they can be expected to support it. These are people who do not realize, as so many of us do, how valuable BEKI (or another shul) is in the community. They do not realize it because they have not had a chance to experience it. More than that, we lose an opportunity to b…
…cause. Mere jealousy had become insufficient grounds. These and many other changes had been instituted by the halakha before Rabbi Yohanan retired the sota ceremony to secure the due process demanded by the Torah. These and other changes are detailed in Mishna Sota and provide a clear evolutionary record of the halakha’s development. Over the last year, in preparation for my bat mitzva, my father has studied Torah with me. As you might have guesse…
…nk, To the deaths of Miriam and Aaron. * * * One thing to notice About the number 14,700 Is that it promises reduction: It moves toward its own diminishment. There is a half-life logic to it, An inherent halving: 14 in the thousands category, Then 7, half-14, in the hundreds. In this promise of reduction, We move toward zero, Though we will never reach it. Just after the number of dead is given, Parshat Korach turns suddenly. G-d tells Moses to ta…
…me as a wealthy man. But consider that the median household income in the United States was $42,228 (in 2001) (“representing a 2.2 percent decline in real income from its 2000 level”), and that a household with an income of $150,499 (or more) puts it in the top 5%. So I realize that I am at least in the top 10% of American households with respect to annual income. (Data: DeNavas-Walt, Carmen and Robert, Cleveland, U.S. Census Bureau, Current Popu…
…e against a bill that is poorly written or unworkable even though they may support the bill’s goals. Sometimes legislators compromise on a “package” of issues, or support a bill that is not optimal because it is just the best that they think is attainable. It is not fair to oversimplify the process – doing so is itself a poor way to influence public policy. I do think clergy can, and should, play a significant role in the development of public pol…
…S. Congress to instead take bold leadership by providing robust funding to support refugees around the world as well as provide necessary resources to refugees who are already resettled in the U.S. Most importantly, the Conservative Movement completely rejects the targeting of individuals based on their religion. As Jews, it is an affront to our fundamental values. We are all enriched by the diverse set of experiences that immigrants bring to our…
…the 10th century B.C.E.; and the E strand probably written between 900 and 800 B.C.E.. The redaction or the compiling of the whole Torah is usually seen as occurring in Babylonia between 600 and 400 B.C.E. For our three passages only J and E are relevant — the first and third passages are usually attributed to J and the second to E. The first account, of Abraham and Sarah in Egypt, is most like a folktale; it is the simplest in structure. It show…
…-knowing about his creation but not all-knowing about Himself; G-d Himself changes, adapts to His growing creation, changes with his children. This is the Torah’s story of the first parent, Avinu. The parent of limits, of dark promises, and eventually of a mercy that tempers judgment. And it would be sort of a sweet story if it ended there. Even with exile and the flaming sword we would still have love and growth and mercy. * * * But the story goe…
…23 Jun Concert to Support JCARR June 23, 2024 4:30 pm Events More Info…
