Author: Ashira

Cat Links Divrei Torah

Yom Kippur 5775

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Dvar Torah given at Kehilat Hadar October 4, 2014  This drash starts in a bar. I know that’s a bit unconventional for Yom Kippur, but please bear with me. Last year, I met Tim, my spouse at a midtown bar for afterwork drinks with his colleagues. It was also a goodbye party for someone who was leaving. At some point, champagne was brought out, poured into flutes and distributed to all as part of his goodbye toast. Of the 30 or so people there, who had their pick off the bar’s menu, no one had ordered champagne. Who would? Yet, because it was a toast, we all put down our beers, whiskey, cocktails to pick up flutes of fizzy wine. Toasting is an odd ritual when you  think about it.

Cat Links Divrei Torah, Jew-ish, religion

Parshat Re’eh 5774

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Dvar Torah given at Kehilat Hadar, August 23, 2014  Re’eh contains the laws of what you can and can’t eat- a system that evolves into Kashrut as we know it. And there are many rules. Rules about separate dishes and about kosher certifications, special rules that apply to knives especially if they are used to cut onions and chilis. And then there’s Passover!

Cat Links Writing and Speaking

Silence is not a Solution

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Published July 14, 2014 by The Times of Israel Is there drivel online? Of course there is, and it’s posted by peoples on all sides of every issue. There are also an unfortunate number of hateful posts, but condemning the entirety of social media is akin to suggesting that we cut back on visits to the library because it contains trashy novels and offensive works. Read More

Cat Links Divrei Torah, Jew-ish, religion

2nd day Pesah 5774

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Dvar Torah given at Ramah Darom Pesah Retreat, April 16, 2014  Hag Sameah. Shortly in Musaf, depending what siddur you’re using, we will read the following words: וקרב פזורינו מבין הגיום ונפצותינו כנס מירכתי ארץ Gather our scattered from among the nations and our Diaspora from the edges of the world והביאנו לציון עירך ברנה ולירושלים בית מקדשך בשמחת עולם and bring us with rejoicing to your city Zion and to Jerusalem and your temple with everlasting joy. ושם נעשה לפנך את קרבנות חובותינו …

Cat Links Divrei Torah, Jew-ish

Installation of Rabbi Randall J. Konigsburg

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Shavua Tov! It is such an honor for me to be here tonight, for the installation of my father Rabbi Randall Konigsburg. Just this morning we read about the details, rites and rituals of the portable sanctuary. Over and over, we read that all was built to precise specification, according to God’s instructions. For example, one verse reads: ויעש משה ככל אשר צוו ה’ אותו כן עשה And Moses did all that God commanded him to do, so he did. (Exodus 40:16)