Tag: Torah
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Studying Deuteronomy 8 1-11
We’ll be reminded, in light of the history of ancient Israel in the wilderness, that all of us depend entirely on God. No doubt that fact has implications for us in terms of gratitude. Given our ongoing focus on the theme of freedom, we’ll probably notice that it has implications for that theme, too. As […]
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Reflecting on Exodus 23 1-12
The central question of how the laws, the mishpatim, given in Exodus 23:1-12 apply to us, or might, gets us into such deep water that we seem unlikely swim our way out of it by the end of our study on Sunday, January 16. [Some notes on the text are here.] Probably we can all […]
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Studying Exodus 23 1-12
We will be examining some of the demands of Biblical justice as we are studying Exodus 23:1-12 for Sunday, January 16. This is in keeping with our quarter-long focus on “justice, law, and history.” [A few questions on this text are here.] Here are a few notes on this text: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Our text […]
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Studying Deuteronomy 5 1-3, 10 12-13, and 27 1-10
We’re studying three short, related texts in Deuteronomy for Sunday, December 5. Deuteronomy 5:1-3 is the preamble to Moses’s reprise of the 10 Commandments. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 is Moses’s wrap-up of the meaning of the covenant at the Mountain of God for the Israelites. Deuteronomy 27:1-10 sets out a ceremony designed to enshrine the instructions associated […]
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Reflecting on Genesis 37
We are studying Genesis 37 for Sunday, September 6. This is the first chapter in the longer, familiar story of Joseph and his brothers, and for us it’s also the first installment of a four-part series of lessons on the whole story. [Some notes on the text are here.] Here are a few questions we […]
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Studying Genesis 37
We are studying Genesis 37 for Sunday, September 6. This is the beginning of the story of “Joseph and his brothers.” It’s a long and familiar story, and we can approach it several ways: as a “wisdom story” – because it fits a genre of Ancient Near Eastern literature; as a family drama – further […]
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Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Meir said: If you study Torah in order to learn and do God’s will, you acquire many merits; and not only that, but the whole world is indebted to you. … You become like a gushing fountain, like a never-failing river. From “Chapters of the Fathers” in Gates of Prayer, Chaim Stern ed., Central […]
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Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Ben Bag Bag said “Turn it [the Torah] over and over, for it contains everything. Keep your eyes riveted to it. Spend yourself in its study. Never budge from it, for there is no better way of life than that. From “Chapters of the Fathers” in Gates of Prayer, Chaim Stern, ed. (New York: […]
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Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
For some reason, this weekend turned out to be particularly challenging for my awkward gentile Christian’s crush on Judaism. Maybe because yesterday was Shabbat Shuvah, the shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the shabbat when the Jewish people are specially reminded to turn back towards God and make amends (which is the governing theme […]
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Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Deuteronomy 4 1-8, 12-13
We are studying Deuteronomy 4:1-8, 12-13 for Sunday, October 6. This is the beginning of Moses’s transition into the substance of the commandments, with its exhortation to the Israelites (and whoever identifies with the Israelites) to faithfully hear and do the commandments he is passing on to them from God. [Study notes on the text […]
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Study Notes – Deuteronomy 4 1-8, 12-13
We are studying Deuteronomy 4:1-8, 12-13 for Sunday, October 6 – World Communion Sunday, when we celebrate the universal and multi-lingual, multi-cultural character of the global church, and also “Shop a Lot” Sunday for our congregation and the congregation that will be joining us in that effort this particular Sunday. So, while we are meditating […]
Matters of Interpretation 