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A Rosh Hashanah Appeal From Patrick Aleph of PunkTorah

September 14, 2012 by Patrick Beaulier

 

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Thank you for your generous support. Have a wonderful, sweet Jewish new year. L’Shana Tovah!

Filed Under: Community Member Blogs Tagged With: convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, donate, Jewish, Judaism, online conversion, online jewish, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rosh hashanah, Yom Kippur

The Cheaters Dvar Torah For Rosh Hashanah

September 25, 2011 by Patrick Beaulier

Here’s the deal kids: we’ve been a little busy. The G-d Project has basically taken over our lives. And we’re super greatful to Ketzirah, Leon, Rivka, Jeremiah and others who have given 110% to keep our heads above water.

But the dvar for this week…yeah…we outsourced it!

Check out two clips from our friends at G-dCast for this week’s spiritual inspiration. L’Shana Tovah!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEOya0ZG0I0&feature=youtu.be

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jgNNB1rONw&feature=youtu.be

Filed Under: Jewish Media Reviews, Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud), Shabbat & Holidays Tagged With: convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, g-dcast, godcast, online conversion, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rosh hashanah, The Cheaters Dvar Torah For Rosh Hashanah, the g-d project, the god project

The Shofar: Symbol of Tishrei, Symbol of Judaism

September 18, 2011 by Ketzirah

Tishrei 5772 begins at Sundown on Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The shofar is not only a symbol we all associate with Tishrei, but it’s also a symbol of Judaism.  Many of us only think about the shofar at the High Holy days, but in ancient times it was used regularly in religious rites.

Blow the shofar at the new moon, at the full moon for our feast-day. (Psalm 81:3)
In Psalms, we see the order to blow the shofar at both the new moon, Rosh Chodesh, and the full moon feast days. Historically the shofar would have been used to call us to prayer and attention for a myriad of reasons and events.  The shofar was also the sound of G-d/dess’ voice we hear at Sinai.  Is it any wonder that this ancient relic is one we still treasure today?  When considering the shofar, also remember that it is a sign of our history as a nation of shepherds.  I’m exploring purchasing my first shofar, and finding that I not only want one that is beautiful and playable — but also that I know comes from an animal that is not just kosher, but was also raised with respect and given a good life.  I also want it to be local.  Why should I import a shofar from a foreign country, when there are so many sheep right here? I would like to learn to play the shofar, but I also want to incorporate it into my fall altar, or spiritual focal point if you prefer. If you are unfamiliar with the idea of having a Jewish personal altar, here’s a post  about the practice.
This Tishrei, consider the Shofar as more than something you just hear at synagogue.  Explore the history, symbolism, elemental aspects, and potential spiritual uses.  Like Torah, the shofar can be understood on four (and probably more levels).  Consider the shofar at it’s literal level, the alluded to meanings, the “drash” or hidden story, and the mystical meaning.Here are some great resources for exploring the Shofar:
  • Hearing Shofar – Michael Chusid’s compendium of the Shofar, which is his core spiritual practice.
  • PeelaPom: Explore the shofar in relation to the elements
  • Telshemesh: The Ram, The Goat, and the Shofar

Share your shofar story! 

——————————————–

(x-posted from www.peelapom.com)

Carly Lesser (a.k.a. Ketzirah – קצירה) is Kohenet, Celebrant and Artist whose  passion is helping Jews who are  unaffiliated, earth-based or in interfaith / inter-denominational relationships connect more deeply with Judaism and make it relevant in their every day lives. She is an active blogger and prayer leader on OneShul.org and PeelaPom.com.

Filed Under: Community Member Blogs, Judaism & Belief, Shabbat & Holidays Tagged With: convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, judaica, Judaism, material world, objects, online conversion, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rosh hashanah, shofar, tishrei

Three Clips From PunkTorah’s Rosh Hashanah Parties

September 9, 2011 by newkosher

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoHJM7btIAc
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVpVoCbbNBY
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMLu4KT0ObI

Filed Under: NewKosher (Recipes), Random (Feelin' Lucky?) Tagged With: Holidays, party, punktorah, rosh hashanah

Life Is Unfair (A Rosh Hashanah D’Var)

September 9, 2010 by Patrick Beaulier

A simple math equation:

A banished surrogate mother and child + child sacrifice + a great leader dying for no good reason = totally messed up.

But life is messed up. And G-d, in this week’s Torah portions, represents life. What’s the solution to a moral crisis when you live in an amoral (non-moral) universe?

GET MORAL!

G-d is limited. G-d cannot do the great work that we can of making the world a holy and moral place. That’s why we have mitzvot: this is our ability to “play G-d” and make the world what it should be…the world that G-d wants it to be, through our actions, thoughts and feelings.

Happy 5771!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_XP2SGROcI

Filed Under: Jewish Text (Torah/Haftarah/Talmud), Shabbat & Holidays Tagged With: 5771, convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, D'var Torah, darshan yeshiva, Life Is Unfair (A Rosh Hashanah D'Var), online conversion, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punk torah, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rosh hashanah, this week's torah portion

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