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The Binding Of Isaac: What Is the Nature Of the Test?

Torah Text:

And it came to pass after these things (lit. words), that God tested Abraham and said, “Abraham.” And he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Take your son, your only son, the one you love, Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will show you.” (Genesis 22:1-2)

Commentary:

Rashi explains “these words” as a conversation God had with Satan:

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/binding-isaac-what-nature-test

Posted on: 2016/04/25 - 2:37pm

Next Year in Jerusalem?

Different Meanings

Each year, around seder tables throughout the world, Jews and our guests end the haggadah with the phrase, “L'shanah haba'ah biyerushalayim — Next Year in Jerusalem.” Like the four children who appear earlier in the haggadah text as paradigms for the ways Jews approach the historical narrative, those who say or hear “Next Year in Jerusalem” do so with many different degrees of self-knowledge or awareness in relationship to the phrase.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/next-year-jerusalem

Posted on: 2016/04/25 - 2:47pm

Parsing the Meeting of Jacob and Esau

Torah:

Jacob is leaving Haran after 20 years. He left originally out of fear that Esau might kill him in revenge for Jacob having tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing. He is on his way back to Canaan when he becomes aware that Esau is approaching him in a large group:

The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We came to your brother Esau. He is also approaching you. He has 400 people with him.” Jacob feared greatly and was distressed.(Genesis 32:6-7)

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/parsing-meeting-jacob-and-esau

Posted on: 2016/04/25 - 4:13pm

A Jewish Approach to Discipline

We've all been students in classrooms where a teacher makes remarks like the following:.

“Somebody must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning” or “I'm not surprised you forgot your homework. You'd probably forget your head if it wasn't attached to your shoulders” or “You have the lowest score in the class!” We cringe because we can imagine the hurt and embarrassment the remarks have caused. We may even be pained that in the past we said something similar to our students.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/jewish-approach-discipline

Posted on: 2016/04/25 - 4:45pm

The Role of Text Study in Congregational Values-Based Decision Making

In order to develop values-based policies and procedures for our communities, we need to take a few steps back from the more practical concerns and examine our communal principles and Jewish ethical values and teachings. We must first clarify our terms, examine our preexisting attitudes, and understand how our experiences impact the decisions we make in community.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/role-text-study-congregational-values-based-decision-making

Posted on: 2016/04/25 - 4:52pm

Wrestling with Rest

Shabbat, ideally a source of joy, rest and renewal, can also pose some interesting community dilemmas. Many congregations face questions about Sabbath “rules” such as:

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/wrestling-rest

Posted on: 2016/04/26 - 11:26am

Adonai-Elohim: The Two Faces of God

Right after Yom Kippur I received a frantic telephone call. As I arrived at the home, it was already filled with family and friends. I knew the family very well: serious Jews.

https://archive.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/adonai-elohim-two-faces-god

Posted on: 2016/04/26 - 11:46am