Category Archives: torah

Taking on the Akeidah

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Michael

I had an opening, with the help and support of some holy chevrei, to take on Binding of Isaac and accompanying meditations that occupy a conspicuous space during the morning blessings. This is what came out. My God and the God of … Continue reading →

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Psalm 126

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Michael

This Psalm is straightforwardly post-exilic (for which see Sefer haWiki) but switches in its narrative perspective between before and after the return from Babylon, between gratitude and longing for return, helped by the profoundly non-linear mechanics of verbal tense and … Continue reading →

Posted in d'var torah, psalms, torah, translation-interpretation | 9 Comments

Ki Tissa

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Michael

Exodus 32:3-8 And all the people took off the gold rings that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. This he took from them and fashioned it and made it into a molten calf. And they exclaimed, THIS … Continue reading →

Posted in d'var torah, torah | 2 Comments

Romancing the Scroll

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Michael

Reposting this from last year in honor of this week’s Torah portion, Ekev … So Here’s the Backstory. My husband and I are now devoted groupies of an organization called Nehirim, from a Hebrew word for “lights.” Founded by author … Continue reading →

Posted in Journal Entries, Observations, Prayer, torah | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

I think it’s official now, so I might as well admit it. My name is Michael, and I am a leynaholic. Leyn or leynen is an old Yiddish word that just means ‘to read,’ but when used in English, the word … Continue reading →

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Michael | 2 Comments

Learning to Love Leviticus: Parashat Vayikra

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Michael

This post is dedicated to the memory of Steve Miller, one of our community’s Torah study leaders, who passed away unexpectedly around this time two years ago. We miss you, Steve. From the folks at G-dcast: I Didn’t Believe My … Continue reading →

Posted in d'var torah, Interesting Links, Observations, torah | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Jay Michaelson Project: February 22-23

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Michael

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Two married gay guys who both converted to Judaism decide to become b’nei mitzvah together and go looking for a social justice project. Being avid readers and devoted groupies of Nehirim, a national … Continue reading →

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D’var Torah: Day of the Big Wheel

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Michael

Text of Vayak’hel and Pekudei, via chabad.org This post is dedicated to the memory of Steve Miller, one of our community’s Torah study leaders, who passed away unexpectedly this week. May his memory comfort all who knew him and learned … Continue reading →

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