|
|
Rosh Hodesh Tammuz | ראש חודש תמוז
| |
Welcoming Tammuz
At Hebrew College's Commencement ceremony last Sunday, June 6, Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld's address to graduates included a message about Rosh Hodesh Tammuz. Here, we share an excerpt, and an opportunity to read her full remarks.
In a few days, we will mark the beginning of a new Hebrew month, Rosh Hodesh Tammuz. Remember that the announcement of the new moon in ancient Jerusalem began when two witnesses came before the bet din and testified that they had SEEN the first sliver of moon. Once their testimony was accepted, a signal was sent out. A messenger—waiting on a mountaintop in Jerusalem would light a bonfire. Another messenger—waiting on the next mountaintop— would see the light of the first fire and kindle his own. And so on—from mountaintop to mountaintop—all the way from Jerusalem to Babylonia. Today I would add all the way to Newton, Massachusetts and to every community, every hilltop where you will go on to serve!
We celebrate the hope for renewal that becomes possible when we watch carefully for the lights that are kindled by those around us and add to that light by kindling our own fires.
In this new month, in this new year, wherever you are, may you help those around you be attentive, generous, loving witnesses to one another—ready to see bonfires on the horizon; ready to see the promise in each human being; ready to see slivers of possibility in the sky.
| |
Playing With Fire
Parashat Korach (Numbers 16:18-32)
By Rabbi Micha'el Rosenberg, Associate Professor of Rabbinics
In the year 2021, the story of Korah’s rebellion—a narrative that composes most of this week’s parashah—hits a bit too close to home. It is a tale of populist rebellion against those sitting in authority, a story that ends with graphic violence and national calamity.
Though the Torah’s telling of the event is ambiguous, this much is clear: several named figures—including Korah, Dasan, and Aviram—attempt a coup against the political leadership of Moses, and the ritual leadership of Aaron, the high priest. Along with these named leaders, the Torah tells us also of 250 Israelites, “leaders of the community, chosen from the assembly (keri’ei mo‘eid), people of repute [literally, ‘people of name’]” (Numbers 16:2). These leaders “rose up before Moses . . . gathering against Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ‘You have taken too much . . . Why are you lording over God’s people?’” (Numbers 16:3).
| |
Why We Say "70 Faces of Torah"
The ancient rabbinic expression “70 Faces (or Facets) of Torah” is a simultaneous call for epistemological humility and interpretive creativity. It is a reminder that only the Divine possesses ultimate truth and that as finite seekers, we need the contributions of many distinct voices. Torah can be compared to a precious gem that refracts differently based on one’s perspective. We, must, therefore, “turn it and turn it” in the company of passionate and compassionate teachers, students, and peers, who each bring their own unique gifts—“faces”—to the ongoing search for light and life.
By Rabbi Or Rose (above), Director of the Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership at Hebrew College & Founding Editor of the Hebrew College Seventy Faces of Torah blog
| |
Illuminating Tammuz Through Art and Text
Text by Rabbi Hayley Goldstein `19; Image by Lizzie Shivitz
Creators, Nireh Or Project
This new month of Tammuz is a month of heat, fire, and brokenness. In this month we commemorate the moment that Moshe, upon seeing the Israelites dancing around the Golden Calf, smashed the first set of tablets. Normally, when a sacred item is damaged, it is buried. Much like when a human passes, a scroll or sacred object which has served its purpose is laid to rest in the earth. The tablets, however, were not buried. Rather, they were carried with the Israelites in the Aron HaKodesh (the holy Ark) along with the new, unbroken tablets, as they wandered the desert. Sometimes shame convinces us to bury our past hurts, the broken pieces within. How can we carry them with love, and even elevate our broken pieces to the status of Holy?
| |
Torah For This Moment
We invite you to visit our On Torah page to read, watch, and listen to the words of Torah on holidays, music, social justice, spirituality, and more that are emerging from our students, faculty, and alumni. We hope they inspire you to draw more deeply on the well of Torah in your own life.
| |
|
Hebrew College is an innovative national institute for Jewish learning and leadership based in Newton, Massachusetts. We are dedicated to Jewish literacy, creativity, and community, and a world of dignity and compassion for all. Our students are future rabbis, cantors, and educators, and people at every stage of life who love to learn. Together, we are infusing Jewish life with substance, spirit, beauty, imagination, and a sense of purpose. Please join us and support our work with a tax-deductible gift.
| |
|
|
|
|
