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Parshah Terumah: Tents and Tents-Ability

February 3, 2011 By punktorah

(Subscribe to R. Michael’s weekly D’var Torah at OneShul’s IndieYeshiva by clicking here)

In this week’s Torah portion, Hashem tells us all about the construction of the Sanctuary, how big each piece of acacia wood needs to be, what kind of cloth to make the tents and curtains out of, even how many boards to use when making the Sanctuary walls! (It’s 48, by the way.)

What we are seeing this week is G-d specifically communicating how to make a space in which to dwell, how to create a holy place to house G-d’s presence among us.

There are a few other things that stand out this week as well.

The people of Israel are called to bring offerings to help build the Sanctuary. Notice though, that they aren’t commanded to bring offerings, but Hashem says “from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity”. We are shown that the only way we can build a space for G-d to dwell among us is if we give freely and generously to make this space complete. It has to happen through our free will. G-d doesn’t just magically appear in our lives, we have to give to make it happen. And not only give, but work! Throughout the portion G-d tells us over and over, very specifically and repeating instructions many times, exactly how to build what is needed for Hashem’s presence to be amidst us. This tells us that not only to we have to give, but we have to work, and work hard. Anything that is worth doing is worth doing right. And G-d tells us so. Does Hashem really need a tent made of goat skins or gold covered acacia wood poles? Probably not. But we are called to give generously of our time, our sweat, and our prized possessions, in order to create a space of holiness in the world.

Another point is the constant demonstration that happens through the textile arts. Hashem says to make numerous multicolored curtains, and to connect them with each other with loops and clasps, so that, as the Torah says, “the Mishkan will be one”. Only through the presence of Hashem can the many become one, echad. This miracle of unity is only available through the power of Hashem’s presence.

Most strikingly, however, is the fact that this sanctuary that is being built is portable. The Israelites were to keep G-d’s presence with them wherever they went. G-d travels with us. G-d has brought us out of Mitzrayim, the narrow places, and reminds us that as long as we create that space, G-d will be with us.

Filed Under: Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud), Your Questions Answered Tagged With: bible, convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, d'var, darshan yeshiva, mishkan, online conversion, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, portion, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, sanctuary, tents, Terumah, Torah

Star Wars and the Talmud

January 31, 2011 By punktorah

As the Talmud says, there’s nothing new under the sun. And since we’re huge Star Wars nerds here at PunkTorah, we wondered, “can the Talmud help us answer all the important fandom questions we have?”
Well, it did when we asked, “did Han Solo shoot first? And if so, was it the right thing to do?”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goSTouOrtN8

Filed Under: Community Member Blogs, Jewish Media Reviews, Podcasts & Videos, Your Questions Answered Tagged With: Han Solo, Jewish, Judaism, punktorah, star wars, talmud

Selling Your Daughter And Destructive Oxen: Parshah Mishpatim

January 25, 2011 By punktorah

(Subscribe to R. Michael’s weekly D’var Torah at OneShul’s IndieYeshiva by clicking here)

Parshah Mishpatim is focused on, as the name implies, laws, mishpatim being the second word of the portion. In mishpatim Hashem jumps from giving us the Ten Commandments, the basis for our law, and begins to gives us the laws regarding, among many others things, slavery, selling your daughter before puberty, and what happens if you have an ox that destroys your neighbors home.

What does this have to do with us today? More than you may think!

First of all, the question needs to be asked, why, after setting down the ten commandments, the ten mitzvot that are the basis for our relationship with G-d and man, does Hashem run full speed into talking about some crazy slavery laws? For a few reasons.

1. We are watching as G-d takes a bad situation and makes it more fair and compassionate.

Slavery was a big reality at the time, no matter what reservations and objections we have today. G-d was taking what was a terrible practice and trying to humanize it.

Think about this, the Israelites were just freed from slavery in Egypt. G-d is saying, “Remember the hard lives you just had? Well guess what! You can’t do that to anyone else now either!” G-d is grabbing the reigns, so to speak, and gradually re-directing the course of reality. The argument goes that if G-d had come and said “No more slavery!” it would be like trying to teach a caveman to dial a cellphone. It is so outside their realm of understanding that they weren’t ready for it yet. In fact, at the time, being a “bondsman” was a way to sort of “fix your credit”. An Israelite was supposed to choose another Israelite over a slave of another nation, even if they “cost” more, to make sure that one tribesman helped another. And after six years, or the Jubiliee year, they were to be released from their bond. At least there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

2. G-d wants to show us that there is no “realm of religion” in the Creator’s eyes.

Unlike a Western point of view where religion deals solely with spirituality and ritual, or a separation of the Israelite “temple” and civil court, to be a true mensch (a good person) and a chassid (a pious person), you need to be “scrupulous in matters of civil and tort law”. Judaism knows no separation between the court and the Temple.

Ramban tells us that the civil law is an extension of the tenth commandment, forbidding covetousness. So in order to know what not to covet, we have to know the rights and property of others.

3. G-d doesn’t want us to struggle alone.

Towards the end of the portion we find the mention of lending money to our fellows without interest. In fact, the phrasing is “When you lend money”, not “if”. Lending to the poor is not an option, it is obligatory! The commentary states that not only are we to lend money with no expectation of invested return, but by lending, the Torah means attachment, to attach ourselves to their plight. They are not alone when they struggle, and that is what is most important, not letting others struggle alone.

Ultimately we see that in our lives as Jews, there is no realm too large or small where G-d cannot fit. Even in dealing with matters of seemingly unspiritual civil law, we find G-d. I invite you to take the opportunity to look for G-d. Look for G-d somewhere you may not have looked before. You might be surprised where G-d can be found.

Filed Under: Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud), Your Questions Answered Tagged With: church and state, civil, convert to judaism, court, darshan yeshiva, God, Israel, israelite, laws, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, Religion, slave, slavery, ten commandments

PunkTorah Radio: Living A Jewish Life Online

January 24, 2011 By punktorah

This week we discuss whether it is possible to live a Jewish life online. You probably already know our answer, but there’s more! And, Werewolf Bar Mitzvah! Aaah-ooooooooooooooh!

PunkTorah Radio: Living A Jewish Life Online

Subscribe on iTunes!

Filed Under: Community Member Blogs, Jewish Media Reviews, Podcasts & Videos, Random (Feelin' Lucky?), Your Questions Answered Tagged With: community, convert to judaism, Counterculture, darshan yeshiva, Jewish, Jews, Judaism, online, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, prayer, Punk, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rebel, Religion, service, Torah

PunkTorah Radio: RADIO!!

January 13, 2011 By punktorah

It’s here! It’s here!

This week we try something a little different! The podcast is a half-hour glimpse into the musical habits of the PunkTorah World Headquarters. A solid thirty, uh, something, minutes of cool Jewish music that we listen to, some you’ve probably never heard before! So get ready to take a musical journey!

PunkTorah Radio: RADIO!

Also, subscribe on iTunes!

Play List:

1. Rav Avraham Kook (by White Shabbos- Shabbos Holy Shabbos)

2. Mezuzah (by The Macaroons- Let’s Go Coconuts!)

3. Shalom Aleichem (by Tzipia- Tzipia)

4. I Love Torah (by Moshiach Oi!- Better Get Ready)

5. The Binding of Isaac (The Silence) (by Matt Bar- Bible Raps)

6. Ballad of the Exiled Prince (by The Mongrel Jews- Songs For A Minor)

7. Kahn (by CAN!!CAN- Monster and Healers)

8. Big Water (by  Shalom Feivel & Rocky Mountain Jewgrass- Live At Swallow Hill)

9. It’s All G!D (by Eprhyme- WAYWORDWONDERWILL)

10. The World Turns ON A Dime (by Clare Burson- Silver and Ash)

11. Let There Be Peace (by Trudy Kisser, Bobby Wolf, Herbert Novacek & Shlomo Carlebach- Shlomo Carlebach Live)

Filed Under: Jewish Media Reviews, Podcasts & Videos, Random (Feelin' Lucky?), Your Questions Answered Tagged With: darshan yeshiva, jdub, jdub records, Jewish, Jews, Judaism, Music, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, Punk, punk torah, punktorah, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, radio, rebel, Religion, rock, shemspeed, Torah

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