Renewing Torah: Welcoming Rosh Hodesh Tammuz 5786

Rosh Hodesh Tammuz | ראש חודש תמוז

Blessing for the Month of Tammuz

By Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, Hebrew College President

With the beginning of the month of Tammuz, we find ourselves facing the saddest period in the Jewish sacred calendar. Ahead of us lies the 17th of Tammuz, a date that reverberates with a sense of rupture in our collective memory: shattered tablets, breached walls. And three weeks beyond that, the 9th of Av, a date associated with even deeper devastation: both Temples destroyed, Jerusalem laid waste.

Two pivotal biblical narratives accompany us as we enter this period – narratives that point to two threats that are with us whenever we find ourselves facing uncertain terrain. In between these two dramatic stories – the story of the spies and the story of Korach – sits the mitzvah of tzitzit, the commandment to wear fringes on the corners of our garments.

Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld

SEVENTY FACES OF TORAH
Buried Alive or Reaching for Heaven: Korach and the Art of Holy Dispute

By Rabbi Daniel Klein, Dean, Rabbinical School of Hebrew College

Parshat Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32)

Rather than divide us, disputes for the sake of heaven locate us in a broader, expansive whole in which we recognize and affirm our interconnection, and respect or, at minimum, accommodate our diverging points of view. This approach enables us to maintain the ties that bind us.

Korach’s approach is the opposite. It is zero-sum. “Its desired purpose is to achieve power and the love of contention,” wrote Rabbi Ovadiah of Bartenura, in his classic 16th century commentary on the mishna (Commentary on Pirket Avot 5:17). Korach and his followers are enthralled with their particular chelek (portion) to the exclusion of others. Moshe correctly understands Korach is not only rebelling against himself and Aaron, but rejecting God, the source of the heavenly quality that holds and connects us, even in our differences.

Celebrating Tamid: Leaders & Learners Who Light the Way

By Zahira Correa, Tamid student

Zahira offered these reflections at our Tamid Celebration on June 3, 2026. View Tamid summer offerings!

A little bit about my background: I come from a mixed-faith family and primarily grew up on the US/Mexico border region. There were not many Jewish learning opportunities around for my family and I. It wasn’t until I moved to the greater Boston area for grad school in my 20s that I was finally surrounded by a vibrant Jewish community - we affectionately call it the Camberville shtetl.

And this is where and when my Jewish learning began. I started by taking a few classes at Lehrhaus when it opened two minutes from my house. Then I joined a shul. I told my rabbi about my experience growing up, and how I felt that I couldn't fully participate in services and in Jewish life. And she actually shared with me about Tamid and said, "You have to go take classes,” and I actually listened to my rabbi, I recommend you do, too.

I’ll briefly share three things I’ve learned: