After Sandy: Coping with Disaster, Climate Change and the “New Normal”

    I.        Click here for this week's parsha packet, "After Sandy: Coping With Disaster, Climate Change and the "New Normal."

Civility in Discourse About Israel

Click here for our parsha packet of materials on the topic of civility in discourse regarding Israel.  The packet features articles about the Gordis - Beinart debate at Columbia  (read about it here and watch the whole thing here, an essay from Sh'ma on strategies in encouraging civil discourse on Israel, a copy of the rabbi's letter to the Methodists (of which  I am a signatory ) that successfully persuaded them to refrain from endorsing boycott sanctions of the Jewish state this week, and source material on civility from rabbinic and other Jewish sources, based primarily on verses from this week's portion, Kedoshim.  Also, you'll find mission statements and resolutions from two congregations' Israel committees, demonstrating how they addressed this important issue.  What's clear is that American Jews need to feel comfortable expressing concerns that are heightened and existential regarding Israel's survival, without being labeled and demonized.  What's so difficult is that those presumed existential dangers are often diametrically opposing - some say the greatest threat is to Israel's security (from outside enemies) and others say it is to Israel's democracy and Jewish nature (from internal threats).  And how does one marginalize extremism without excluding those holding extreme positions them from the conversation?  These are matters that every congregation (indeed, every Jew) needs to address - as we are addressing them at TBE.

Click here for the packet.

Parsha Packet for Pekuday - What is Show Bread - and Why?

See this week's Parsha Packet on the Show Bread and find out why this ancient ritual, the only sacrifice we still perform, has generated legend and lore.

Toldot, Black Friday and Impulse Buying

Click here for our Parsha Packet of study materials for this Shabbat morning's Torah discussion. The topic is instant gratification, which has great relevance to the portion (see: Esau and the birthright) and Black Friday. How much is impulse buying necessary for the growth of our economy? Should that be considered a virtue or a vice? What of Esau's impulsive makeup can be corroborated given modern psychological research? How do traditional commentators react to those character traits? And what in the world does all this have to do with Nimrod (thy guy, not the sandals) and the soon-to-go under Feline's Basement.

For a hint to that last answer, some of my fondest childhood memories (not) involve going with my mother to the aforementioned bargain hunter's paradise and watching civilized people fighting over a marked down garment at the bottom of a large pile of clothing. A bunch of Esaus bargain hunting.

Global Hunger Shabbat

This is Global Hunger Shabbat, at TBE and around the world. Read about this AJWS sponsored event here. And see our parsha packet for Lech Lecha


See how we can help to reverse hunger...

Are Zoos Ethical? Hammerman on Ethics

Are Zoos Ethical?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Jewish Week Online Columnist

Click here for Parsha Packet

Click here for an archived TBE Bark Mitzvah Booklet

Q – Given the recent Ohio tragedy involving a private zoo, in which dozens of exotic animals were killed, I was wondering whether it is ethical to have such zoos in the first place.

A – The images of last week’s massacre of over fifty animals freed by their deranged (and suicidal) owner in Ohio, Terry Thompson, is still fresh in our minds. "It's like Noah's Ark wrecking right here in Zanesville," cried a former director of the Columbus Zoo. As if on cue, this week Jews read the portion of Noah, describing the epic tale about that largest floating private zoo ever.

The midrash goes into great detail to show how difficult it was for Noah to feed the animals in the ark – and to keep them from feeding on one another. He didn’t get a wink of sleep for months. Midrash Tanhuma suggests that Noah is described as righteous specifically because he showed such compassion for animals.

Any pet owner can tell you that caring for animals is a 24/7 job, even when your pets don’t happen to include 18 rare Bengal tigers. This exotic menagerie should never have been permitted to Thompson, but Ohio law foolishly allows ownership of such animals (perhaps thinking that otherwise they would have to ban the Cincinnati Bengals from playing in state). After this incident, the Wall Street Journal ran a state by state chart indicating where you can live if you want to own a tiger. Ohio is one of eight states where not only is it allowed, but you don’t even need a permit.

Last summer I saw thousands of animals in their natural habitat on safari in Africa, where the only “exotic” creatures present were me and my fellow human intruders. The animals we saw were free and content (except for those unfortunate moments when they were being eaten). When you’ve seen these animals in their element, you can never go back to a zoo. But witnessing this glorious spectacle made me wonder whether any zoo can be considered ethical, even ones run by qualified, licensed zookeepers. Do animals have an inherent right to liberty, or at least to live in a climate that is natural and normal for them, and not to be separated from their families?

There are only two justifications for the incarceration of animals, conservation and education, according to zoologist Dr. Michael Hitchen. By learning more about these species, and by exposing the next generation to them, we can help to save them. An additional, secondary benefit of zoos is that they help to bring diverse groups of people together. TheJerusalem Zoo is one of the few places in that city where Arab and Jewish residents mingle freely, exploring their common love of nature. But all these advantages need to be weighed against the moral imperative that animals not be allowed to suffer.

Maimonides felt that animals can feel pain on a level equal to humans. The Shulchan Aruch agrees, adding, “It is forbidden, according to the law of the Torah, to inflict pain upon any living creature. On the contrary, it is our religious duty to relieve the pain of any creature.”

Terry Thompson clearly crossed that line, long before he released his beautiful creatures into the wilds of Zanesville. It is irresponsible for unqualified private individuals to collect wild animals, whether for resale or display. Next time, stick to stamps and baseball cards.

"Who is A Jew??" AGAIN! Coping With the Shifting Nature of Jewish Identity

This week's CHUTZPAH Award goes to Interior Minister Eli Yishai, who is trying to restore the "Jewish" label to Israel identity cards, thereby dredging up the old "Who is a Jew" controversy. Read about that, see the tie to this week's portion and read a new responsum just passed by the Law Committee (Conservative Judaism's halachic arbiter) on whether congregations should take people at their word when they identify themselves as being Jewish.

We'll be talking about all of these at services this Shabbat. See the discussion materials by clicking here.

Whining and Wine-ing - Parsha Packet for Shelach

Here's the source material on last week's discussion for parashat Shelach, where we discussed the significance of wine and Jewish (and Israeli) culture. See it here.

Parsha Packet on bin Laden / Emor / Mother's Day / Israel

See these parsha packets distributed at services on Emor, the question of celebrating the death of bin Laden, Mother's Day and for this evening, Israel's Independence Day:

- Songs and Poetry for Yom Ha'atzmaut and Kabbalat Shabbat

- Emor packet, bin Laden

Jewish Education, the Seder and "Race to Nowhere"

How can the Seder save our education system? See this parsha packet for a collection of articles and information about the roles of parent and education system, the film, "Race to Nowhere" and how it all relates to the Passover Seder. (Also see in another posting my reflections on "A Race to Nowhere")

Why is the Seder so educationally sound?

1) It is multi-generational

2) NO TESTING, therefore, no teaching to the test. The lessons are learned through annual repetition and experiential activities.

3) It is done by the family - at home - and not at school. The parents are fully engaged as educators

4) Participation is individualized, according to the needs and abilities of all students (the Four Children)No child is ever left behind.

5) Through dramatic reenactments and visual aids (seder plate and those plagues bags), the lesson comes alive. We are THERE 6

) Food - 'Nuff said

7) It is decidedly low-tech. No distractions

8) A little wine can't hurt - but all is done in moderation

9) Games and rewards - bribery is a good thing. 1

0) Time Management skills are taught. It's a long lesson but you have to finish eating by midnight.

11) Music always helps. S

ee the packet for more details.

Parsha Packets: Ethics of Eating and Limits to Humor

Here are two all-time favorite Parsha Packets related to the portion of Shmini:

MITZVAH AND MATZAH: NOSHING IS SACRED: A Synaplex Discussion on the Ethics of Eating - features sources related to hunger, food, Passover and holiness. From 2007

And...

The Imus Files: The Boundaries of Humor and Yom Ha-Shoah - from 2006

Is Natalie Portman the Next Sandy Koufax?

OK, so she's having a kid out of wedlock and the father is not Jewish, but she's promised to bring him up Jewish! But the big picture is that Natalie Portman has become a genuine American Jewish hero, and last week clinched it, between her Oscar and her staunch defense of Jewish pride (out Foxing even Foxman) in the face of an anti-Semitic attack. Read all about it in this parsha packet from this past Shabbat.

Holy Spaces: The Tabernacle, the Temple and the Kotel

In this 2010 parsha packet I explore in great depth the concept of holy place, sacred space, as it applied in the Bible through the tabernacle and temple, and as it applies today in the Western Wall. I include ancient and contemporary reflections on what it means to have a sanctuary, and what it meant to the ancients, and how the earthy construct has a celestial blueprint.

More verses are used to describe the tabernacle than any other object in the Bible - fully half the book of Exodus is devoted to it. Why?

Finally, how has the Western Wall today become just the opposite of what its predecessors to be. Why is it now a place of disunity and discrimination? And is it really supposed to be a synagogue?

The Shechina has left the building.

Where Does God Live? Parsha Packet for Terumah

Click here for a parsha packet, "Where Does God Live?" Why would God insist on a physical sanctuary as a home, when God is in fact everywhere. See a survey of Jewish sources on the subject, including one (Sfat Emet) suggesting that God "lived" in the tabernacle because it was the location of such selfless generosity and unity among the Israelites.

God "lives" there but sanctity can be experienced everywhere.

Rabbinic Driving Manual

Ever wonder what are the Torah's rules for the road? Here's a Parsha Packet for Mishpatim, "The Rabbinic Driving Manual." As you'll see, it's not a long leap from donkeys to Hummers.

The Ten Commandments and World Religions

No one ever claimed that "our" Ten Commandments are unique, but if you search online you'll find lots of different versions. In the packet found here, I compare and contrast the "Big Ten" as they are expressed by major world religions. Did you know, for instance, that for Hindus, the "tenfold law" as they call it, includes self control, forgiveness, wisdom and abstention from anger? Buddhists include not killing, stealing and coveting wives, but also refraining from "divisive, harsh and senseless speech." Imagine planting two tablets containing
that on a courtroom lawn!

I also explore some of the commandments individually. For the Sikhs it is a sin to argue with your parent. An African proverb states, "If a parent takes care of you up to the time you cut your teeth, you need to take care of them when they lose theirs."

You can see how vociferously Islam condemns the murder of innocents and that Confucianism states, "No crime is greater than having too many desires."

Check out our Big Ten against theirs... here.

Moses and Jethro: Models of Leadership

It's bad enough for this Patriots fan that this week's portion begins with JET - but Jethro, Moses' father in law, teaches Moses quite a bit about leadership. Click here for a parsha packet I put together a couple of years ago on the topic, complete with some traditional commentaries and contemporary models of leadership. You'll also find a checklist on how to be an effective leader of dogs.

God's Playlist: Judaism's Top Ten

Special for Shabbat Shira, the Shabbat of Song, I recently compiled my list of the Top Ten Songs in Jewish History, along with one from Midrashic sources. You can see my list here, with a tribute to Debbie Friedman, and an older version here, along with a detailed explanations for the unusual layout of the Song of the Sea in this week's portion.

Yes, I put "White Christmas" there because it met the standards that I had set - though feel free to disagree. This Shabbat includes not one but TWO of the top ten, the Song of the Sea and the Song of Deborah.

And in memory of the great Debbie Friedman, here's her version of Deborah's song.

"The King's Speech" - and Moses'

I had the opportunity recently to see the excellent new film, "The King's Speech," detailing the struggles of Britain's King George VI to overcome a serious speech impediment as he asserted himself as England'a new leader just before World War Two. The movie was fascinating on a number of levels, not the least being the parallels to the story of Moses' speech-related struggles as documented in this past week's Torah portion, especially his comment that he is handicapped by "uncircumcised lips" (Exodus 6:12).

I put together a discussion packet which you can access here. We used the packet last week at services. The discussion was illumined by several speech and mental health professionals present. Included in the material I distributed is a collection of traditional and contemporary commentaries, along with a selection from Avivah Zornberg's masterful work on Exodus, "The Particulars of Rapture." Zornberg talks about the "Exile of the Word" regarding how divine messages are received - or not - by the people.

There is a case to be made that it is better for leaders not to be articulate, as it protects the people from succumbing to demagoguery. But at a time when King George needed to go toe to toe with Hitler, who used the power of speech to advance his agenda, the world didn;t have the luxury of a stammering-but-humble British King.

Zornberg brings in an Oedipal dimension to the disability and the parallels between Moses' desire not to displace his older brother Aaron and the crises in the royal family leading to King Edward's abdication are striking. Also we see the lonely struggle of the royal outsider (which Moses was too, as a child) trying to speak in a language his people can understand. The parallels abound. But in the end, kings, prophets, rabbis and all leaders need to find a way to distill the Cry of their generation, the divine imperative, into language that will inform and motivate, unite and galvanize, comfort and cajole, the people.

Joseph and Wikileaks, Transparency, Government and the Press

See this week's Parsha Packet, to be used during our discussion at services. The topic is WikiLeaks, government and the press, with a focus on the ethics of transparency and privacy. Joseph does some pretty underhanded things in the portion, framing his brothers for spying. What would have happened if WikiLeaks had exposed this corruption? Were his actions justified? Check out our discussion guide here.