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Haftarah Bo: A History Lesson

January 18, 2013 by Patrick Beaulier

haftarah

Jeremiah 46:13–28.

While Egypt is experiencing the final three plagues in this week’s Torah portion, in the haftorah, we learn about Egypt getting in trouble again centuries later—this time it’s a “plague” of Babylonians.

Jeremiah forsees the Egyption fate: “Stand fast and prepare yourself, for the sword has devoured round about you.” He proceeds to outline how helpless the Egyptians will be to save themselves from the impending destruction Nebuchadnezzar will wreak.

Of the Jewish people, however, Jeremiah relays that (of course) the Jews will be punished and exiled, but ultimately redeemed (notice a trend, anyone?). The prophesy concludes, “Jacob shall return and be quiet and at ease, and there shall be none who disturb his rest.”

Do you ever wonder if any of these prophesies promising punishment and redemption and the smiting of enemies pan out?

To put this battle in historical context, we’re looking at about 609-587 BCE and this was not the first [Read more…]

Filed Under: Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud) Tagged With: convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, haftarah, haftarah bo, jewish history, online conversion, parshah bo, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier

10 Tevet: Jewish Emo and Mourner’s Kaddish

January 2, 2012 by Patrick Beaulier

Imagine someone you love got cancer (G-d forbid!) and dies. You know you have to observe their yahrzeit, but looking at your calendar that you get every year from the local Jewish funeral home, you remember the day you got the phone call that he/she was sick. So you decide to commemorate the day you got the bad news by not eating.

Welcome to 10 Tevet: a day long Mourner’s Kaddish.

On 10 Tevet, the Babylonian army laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later, the city walls were breached, and on 9 Av of that same year, the Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.

After the blast of Hanukkah with food, candles and fun, suddenly our commercial break from reality is interrupted by a fasting period and solemn reflection.

To a degree, 10 Tevet is like a day long kaddish. While Mourners Kaddish marks a sad moment, it’s also uplifting, because the actual kaddish (the Aramaic words you don’t actually know yet somehow angels do) are not that sad at all:

Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity. 

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

There is a custom that even in dark times, we should say a few good words of hope. Mourner’s Kaddish does that. And for 10 Tevet, I believe that healthy dose of emo, darkwave and 80’s music will be the light at the end of the tunnel. So here’s a YouTube music video list that I hope will make 10 Tevet a little more tolerable. Have a meaningful fast.

The Cure – Boy’s Don’t Cry

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n547VhR1aRY

The Mars Volta – Eriatarka

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjAltxAWTRk

Feeding Fingers – Manufactured Missing Children

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB6WQh6YylA

Sunny Day Real Estate – 8

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS_tfEjoiss

New Order – Regret

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r4QGJpsYaE

Filed Under: 10 Tevet, Jewish Media Reviews, Judaism & Belief, Podcasts & Videos, Random (Feelin' Lucky?), Shabbat & Holidays Tagged With: 10 tevet, darkwave, darshan yeshiva, emo, fasting judaism, feeding fingers, jerusalem, jewish emo, jewish fast, jewish history, new order, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, sunny day real estate, tenth of tevet, the cure, the mars volta

Jewish Pirates: The Animated Series

June 21, 2011 by Patrick Beaulier

Two things I didn’t know: first, there were Jewish pirates. Second, animation is not nearly as hard to do as you think it is.

The history of Jewish piracy. Enjoy!

Photo from ModernTribe.com

 

 

 

Filed Under: Podcasts & Videos Tagged With: jewish history, jewish piracy, jewish pirates

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