Sukkot-A Festival of Water
Oct 2, 2001 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Sukkot
The joy of Sukkot is offset by a pervasive concern about water. As we give thanks for the harvest just completed, we begin to worry about the bounty of the next one. But be mindful: it is the rainfall in Israel of which we speak.
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A Meditation on Prayer
Sep 11, 1999 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Rosh Hashanah
According to the Shulhan Arukh, the 16th-century halakhic code which still governs much of Jewish practice, Jews in the synagogue on the High Holy Days are permitted to raise their voices while praying. The reason given intrigues me: because everyone has a mahzor, our neighbor’s voice will not confuse us. Elsewhere, the Shulhan Arukh makes it clear that on all other days of the year, we are expected to address God in the synagogue silently, so as not to disturb those sitting nearby. And this despite a general counsel to actually pronounce the words of our prayers as we recite them. They are to be audible but only to us (Oreh Hayyim 582:9; 101:2-3).
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Life’s Triumph Over Death
Apr 8, 2000 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Tazria
Each morning we begin our prayers with a remarkable expression of gratitude.
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How We Serve God
Aug 26, 2000 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Re'eh
Demonstrating uncompromising devotion to God is the theme of this week’s parashah, Parashat Re’eh. Such devotion is expressed through belief, but more importantly, through avodah, meaningful service to God. For the biblical Israelite, service to God meant loyalty to God’s commandments and participation in the sacrificial cult. For Deuteronomy, avodah referred specifically to offering sacrifices to God at a central place of worship: “look only to the site that the Lord your God will choose amidst all your tribes as His habitation, to establish His name there. There you are to go, and there you are to bring your burnt offerings and other sacrifices…” (Deuteronomy 12:5-6).
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Keeping “The Fires of Israel” Lit
Mar 22, 2003 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Tzav
In a session not long ago with Seminary students on religious services, I was asked about the restoration of a phrase from the siddur that the Conservative movement had dropped as early as the 1940’s.
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The Grandeur and Grace in Our Lives
Feb 12, 2005 By Ismar Schorsch | Commentary | Terumah
In Hebrew it is customary not to pronounce the name of God as written.
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The Artist As Teacher
Sep 9, 2014 By David C. Kraemer | Short Video | Rosh Hashanah | Yom Kippur
Explore the Esslingen Mahzor
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