(Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay ) Shavuot begins at sundown this Sunday. Shavuot is a bit of a puzzler holiday. The Torah has very little to say about it. Most of what we know of ancient practices comes from the Mishnah. It was born as an agricultural holiday and acquired greater meaning in time….
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Synagogues have made an amazingly rapid turn to using the internet for programs, services, lectures, etc. Many of us expected to be “finished” with the COVID-19 lock down by now, but here we are. It’s the new normal. Even when houses of worship open some will not feel safe going into a crowd until there…
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(Photo by Jenny Fish) Rabbi Milder of Beth Emek sent out this email. We all hear of people who say God told them to do something. Do Jews believe that God does that? Join Rabbi Milder and Rabbi Schulman for a stimulating virtual discussion for Shavuot. Details below. Does God Talk to Us? Does…
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(Image by Jlisska on Pixabay) Shavuot is one of those holidays that never gets the attention it deserves. It is one of the 3 pilgrimage holidays in the Torah – a really BIG deal. But to be honest there are not many practices that are connected with it. One that is so easy to embrace…
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Shavuot starts on Saturday at sundown Are you wondering, what exactly is Shavuot and what are we supposed to DO? Here’s a quickie overview. Here’s an interesting article about why Shavuot is so short on rituals, and therefore, observance. Tikkun Leyl Shavout, the practice of staying up all night to study originates with the mystics and was not…
Read More »I was pleased to note that the list of teachers for the East Bay Jewish Community Center Tikkun Leyl Shavuot truly does go from Adina to Zelig! These teachers range from Orthodox to Renewal to lay people to scholars and rabbis. You really should give yourself the gift of one crazy night of learning….
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