One of the goals of this blog is to ease access to Judaica. Today, through a posting on The AximSite I came across an index of Judaica Books available online. Take a look at this great resource for links to everything from biblical, talmudic, midrahsic texts through biographies, timelines of individual communities and more. Please note, the link I am giving you is the first page of 5 in the index. Go, search, enjoy and read!!!
Shabbat Shalom
Hanukkah information (on many different levels) at My Jewish Learning
Hanukkah Celebrations for the Home or for the community:
Jewish Family & Life
Social Action
Rabbi S. on Hanukkah
May the lights of the Hanukkiyah (Hanukkah menorah) fill your life and the life of those you love with light, joy, hope and courage. May the candles turn darkness into light and inspire you to continue the work of ending hatred, abuse, prejudice and war.
May the lights of Hanukkah brighten your world physically and spiritually.
May they inspire you to stamp out the darkness of opression, hatred, abuse,
war and discrimination.
We may be seeing the beginnings of a change of opinion within the Palestinian communty regrading “Suicide” bombings, Arafat and Peace with Israel. Go to this site for more info.
In Confirmation class this week we are discussing Judaism’s view on life after death. This is a common question, so I am putting some links here. I hope they are helpful to you.
Rabbi Amy Scheinerman’s discussion of the Afterlife
Rabbi Howard Jaffe on the Afterlife – Click on Judaism
Rabbi Marc Gellman’s article on the Afterlife in Reform Judaism Magazine
Conservative Movement Sermon on the Afterlife
Judaism 101: Olam ha-Ba: The Afterlife
Jewish Virtual Library on the Afterlife
My Jewish Learning.com articles on the Afterlife:
Level 1 – Primer: Afterlife & Eschatology
Level 2 – Topical Overviews
Level 3 – Deeper Explorations
Level 4 – Afterlife & Eschatology IV: Analysis & Interpretation
May Torah study continue to enrich your life.
According to Haartez, the death toll from this morning’s tragic terror attck is now 23 with over 300 injured. Those injured and killed were both Jewish and Muslim, friends and neighbors.
May all their memories be for a blessing and may their families find couage and hope. I pray that those who are injured have speedy recoveries.
The peace, prayers and celebration of the Sabbath was shattered by horrible violence this morning in Istanbul, Turkey when two simultaneous terrorist attacks bombed synagogues – houses of worship. The latest death toll is 24 with at least 150 injured. Read about what the experience was like in one of the syngagoues in this report in Haaretz and read a news report here.
Take a look at Velveteen Rabbi for an interesting post about our liturgy. [Hat tip to Baraita ]
One of my favorite web sites for information on any aspect of Judaism from basic information through advanced knoweldge is My Jewish Learning.com, go and take a look!
Yesterday, I spoke with someone who asked that age-old question – why are we here? A valid and important question, to be sure, and one with a number of answers. Perhaps my favorite answer from Judaism’s rich heritage is rooted in the value of tikkun olam, the mitzvah (commandment) to repair the world. One of the reasons for our existance is the obligation to make the world a better place when we leave than when we came.
How do we do tikkun olam? We do it by how we interact with others: family, friends, co-workers and strangers alike? We do it by working for causes we believe in: work with our bodies, minds and financial resources. We do tikkun olam when we preserve the enviroment and treat all creatures with respect. We do it by living each day as if it were our last and making what we do count.
So today, go and engage in tikkun olam!