How Do Reform Jews Understand Tishah B’Av?
Why do we celebrate Tu BiShvat, the Jewish “New Year of the Trees,” in the middle of winter?
Tu BiShvat, called the "New Year of the Trees," falls at a seemingly incongruous time of year.
Why is caring for the environment emphasized on Tu BiShvat?
Tu BiShvat is a minor festival whose provenance dates only to the time of the Second Temple. However, the kabbalists who clustered around the great fifteenth-century mystic Isaac Luria of Safed placed great weight on the holiday, creating new festivities, gatherings at which hymns were sung, fruit (particularly carob) was eaten, and four cups of wine were taken (as in the Passover seder).
Beyond the revelry, is there a more serious side to observing Purim?
As joyous as the holiday is, it is also a time for serious reflection on the duties of a Jew toward their community, particularly in a post-Holocaust world.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - T'rumah: Building a Just World
In this weekly podcast, we will offer insight into the weekly Torah portion, condensing 2,000 years of Jewish wisdom into just 10 minutes of modern-day commentary. This week Rabbi Rick Jacobs delves deep into parashat T'rumah from the book of Exodus. Enjoy!
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - T'tzaveh: Symbolism in Garments
In this weekly podcast, we will offer insight into the weekly Torah portion, condensing 2,000 years of Jewish wisdom into just 10 minutes of modern-day commentary. This week Rabbi Rick Jacobs delves deep into parashat T'tzaveh from the book of Exodus. Enjoy!
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Ki Tisa: How Do You Center Your Life?
In this weekly podcast, we will offer insight into the weekly Torah portion, condensing 2,000 years of Jewish wisdom into just 10 minutes of modern-day commentary. What is at the center of your life and how do you keep your focus on what matters most?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Vayak'heil: Community
Do you really think you can find a community without working toward building it too? Rabbi Jacobs challenges us through the ideas of this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Vayak’heil.
Five ways to listen:
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Sh'lach L'cha: Facing the Future
When faced with anxiety about the future, how can one persevere as a strong leader? How have we pushed people to the edges of our Jewish communities, and how do we gather them back?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Korach: Questionable Intentions
In Jewish history and culture, there has been no shortage of arguments; in fact, the entire Talmud is composed of arguments about some of the most important issues in history.