A Pesach message on the meaning of Dayeinu and a main purpose of the seder.
Friday, 6 April 2012
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Hard Choices
At risk of becoming too much of a public David Brooks follower, he speaks to a sensitive situation very nicely and clearly here. A sad turn of events is dealt with with respect and without harsh condemnation or self-righteousness, but with humility and understanding-- and the courage to stand for a clear position on a hard issue.
I have to say, the more time I spend around Alzheimer's patients, the more conflicted I am. I land close to Brooks. We must act with humility when it comes to human life. That humility may allow for avoidance of aggressive life-saving measures in certain circumstances, but it also precludes aggressive life-taking measures
The case of Charles Darwin Snelling raises hard questions about love and the nature of human agency amid dependency and finitude.
I have to say, the more time I spend around Alzheimer's patients, the more conflicted I am. I land close to Brooks. We must act with humility when it comes to human life. That humility may allow for avoidance of aggressive life-saving measures in certain circumstances, but it also precludes aggressive life-taking measures
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Pesach thoughts
NYTimes: Why a Haggadah? http://nyti.ms/HAmX5p
Foer's reflection that our generation is native to the general culture, but immigrants to Judaism, is spot-on.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
A number of people asked me about the New American Haggadah this Shabbat. It has been on the receiving end of more promotion than your average Haggadah.
The editor, Jonathan Safran Foer, talked about the Haggadah on The Colbert Report.
The translator, Nathan Englander, spoke about his role (as well as his new short story collection) on NPR's Fresh Air.
And, among other places, they were in the New York Times talking about the seder.
And Leon Wieseltier savages it in the Jewish Review of Books. He's not wrong in many of his criticisms, but even so, I find Englander's interpretation-laden translation charming. The commentaries, less so.
My take: I like it: it's a good haggadah, artfully translated and well laid out. I can't see it being widely used by an actual tableful of Jews: it's too traditional for the target audience. I'd recommend it for pre-Pesach study, or as a coffee-table book. (Yes, the coffee is presumably kosher-for-Passover Maxwell House.)
That said, I am very encouraged: one, because it is the finest method for dealing with a classical text: straight on, not taking it as unquestionable truth or as an outdated relic in need of massive revision, but facing its beauty and problematic passages as they are, and wrestling with them. Too many haggadot (and other books) either become apologetics (on the right) or revise away the difficult passages (on the left), and both become too blandly agreeable. I like the idea of the People Israel living up to our name: wrestling with God and humanity. Two, it's great Jews producing something great that is truly Jewish. Not Jewish because the author is Jewish, but making a contribution to Judaism. That we need more of, and we need it not (just) from rabbis like me, or other professional Jews, but from the great numbers of Jews who don't love the synagogue, yet still have so much to give (and take) from the tradition. That tradition is no less theirs than it is mine, and the more they deal with it seriously, the better-- no matter where it takes them.
The editor, Jonathan Safran Foer, talked about the Haggadah on The Colbert Report.
The translator, Nathan Englander, spoke about his role (as well as his new short story collection) on NPR's Fresh Air.
And, among other places, they were in the New York Times talking about the seder.
And Leon Wieseltier savages it in the Jewish Review of Books. He's not wrong in many of his criticisms, but even so, I find Englander's interpretation-laden translation charming. The commentaries, less so.
My take: I like it: it's a good haggadah, artfully translated and well laid out. I can't see it being widely used by an actual tableful of Jews: it's too traditional for the target audience. I'd recommend it for pre-Pesach study, or as a coffee-table book. (Yes, the coffee is presumably kosher-for-Passover Maxwell House.)
That said, I am very encouraged: one, because it is the finest method for dealing with a classical text: straight on, not taking it as unquestionable truth or as an outdated relic in need of massive revision, but facing its beauty and problematic passages as they are, and wrestling with them. Too many haggadot (and other books) either become apologetics (on the right) or revise away the difficult passages (on the left), and both become too blandly agreeable. I like the idea of the People Israel living up to our name: wrestling with God and humanity. Two, it's great Jews producing something great that is truly Jewish. Not Jewish because the author is Jewish, but making a contribution to Judaism. That we need more of, and we need it not (just) from rabbis like me, or other professional Jews, but from the great numbers of Jews who don't love the synagogue, yet still have so much to give (and take) from the tradition. That tradition is no less theirs than it is mine, and the more they deal with it seriously, the better-- no matter where it takes them.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
More Passover Guides!
Lots of people (yes, lots!) ask me about Passover products. One way to find out more Pesach information is through the annual guides that the major kosher overseer groups put out. Links to some of them are below.
The COR (Toronto) guide is here.
The cRc (Chicago) guide is here.
The OU (New York) guide is here.
The Star-K (Baltimore) guide is here.
The general Rabbinical Assembly guide (Conservative, North America) is here.
And the form to sell hametz to Rabbi Selsberg is here!
The COR (Toronto) guide is here.
The cRc (Chicago) guide is here.
The OU (New York) guide is here.
The Star-K (Baltimore) guide is here.
The general Rabbinical Assembly guide (Conservative, North America) is here.
And the form to sell hametz to Rabbi Selsberg is here!
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Passover resources 2012/5772
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Passover is coming! Our annual gathering of info!
Sale of Hametz forms are available here!
Passover Guide for 5772/2012 available here!
More Passover links here!
Passover is coming! Our annual gathering of info!
Sale of Hametz forms are available here!
Passover Guide for 5772/2012 available here!
More Passover links here!
Thursday, April 5th:
- Bedikat Hametz: Search for Hametz at or after 8:30pm
Friday, April 6th: Ta'anit B'chorot, First Seder night
- Shacharit 7:45
- Siyyum and Breaking of the Fast of the Firstborn: 8:30am
- Finish eating Hametz before: 11:10am
- Sell, hide or burn Hametz before 12:15pm
- Candle lighting: at or before 7:34pm
- Please note: no evening services are scheduled at shul for the two nights of seder.
- If you have no place to share a seder, or have an extra seat (or more!) at your seder table, please let Rabbi Selsberg know. Beth Jacob does not have one big 'community seder', in part because much of the power of this night comes from its setting in a home. Please help us ensure that no one is left out on this night!
Saturday, April 7th: First Day Pesach; Second Seder night
- Shacharit: 9am
- Mincha: 2pm
- Candle lighting: not before 8:30pm
Sunday, April 8th: Second Day Pesach
- Shacharit: 9am
- Mincha/Ma'ariv: 8:00pm
- Havdallah: 8:30pm
Monday-Thursday, April 9-12
- Shacharit: Monday, April 9: 9:00am
- Shacharit: Tue-Wed-Thu: 7:30am
- Ma'ariv: Mon-Thu: 6pm
- Candle lighting, Thursday April 12: 7:40pm
Friday. April 13:
- Shacharit: 9:00am
- Mincha-Kabbalat Shabbat-Ma'ariv: 6pm
- Candlelighting: 7:42pm
Saturday, April 14:
- Shacharit: 9:00am
- Mincha/Ma'ariv: 7:40pm
- Havdallah: 8:37pm
- If you sold chametz to Rabbi Selsberg, it may be not be eaten before 8:45pm
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