A Bed of Sacred Words

Rabbi Rick's Reading List

Edward Kritzler: Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean: How a Generation of Swashbuckling Jews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom--and Revenge
This one's been sitting on my pile of books for months waiting for a window of opportunity to pick it up and read. I'm a few chapters in already and it's not disappointing. The non-fictional account reads smoothly and while the author gives plenty of warning that there is significant speculation involved in the scholarship, his conclusions are plausible. Jewish pirates? I just want to know what there mothers thought.
Benyamin Cohen: My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith
Our most recent book club selection... a great read, humorous, fascinating and thought provoking as the author challenges his traditional Jewish upbringing as he searches for meaning in Judaism through the lens of Christianity... and some off the beaten path Christian practices at that. Well worth the read.
Adin Steinsaltz: The Thirteen Petalled Rose: A Discourse On The Essence Of Jewish Existence And Belief
My rabbi growing up used to love quoting Adin Steinsaltz. We thought he just liked the name, but it turns out the Steinsaltz is one of the great teachers of traditional Judaism in today's world and he does so from the perspective of deep devotion. This early Steinsaltz tome explains Jewish mysticism by someone steeped in Jewish tradition.
Simkha Weintraub, editor: Healing of Soul, Healing of Body: Spiritual Leaders Unfold the Strength & Solace in Psalms
A fascinating look at Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav's prescription of 10 psalms employed for healing. We offer Mi Shebeirach prayers of healing for those in need but there are other traditional passages used for providing comfort. The Psalms have long been considered a source of strength. This work explores the particular psalms offered by the Bratzlaver rebbe as a complete course of treatment for ailments.
Maggie Anton: Rashi's Daughters, Book III: Rachel: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval France
The last of the trilogy. A good read and window into the world of Jewish life in Medieval France. Maggie Anton knows her subject inside and out and does justice to the subject matter. It's historical fiction done well. For those familiar with Talmud and the world of Jewish folklore, the novel is especially rich, but apparently still engaging if you're a novice in those areas.
Benjamin Nugent: American Nerd: The Story of My People
We chose this for our book group because the author is coming to speak at Beth Emek, the evening of November 15th. Nugent examines the 'nerd' and how they got that way. Living in a lab city, it's impossible to read this work without looking around seeing some of the personalities he describes.
Edward K. Kaplan: Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America, 1940-1972
This fascinating volume chronicles the life of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel through his years in America. One of the great modern theologians, Heschel also contributed actively to the Civil Rights Movement.
Geraldine Brooks: People of the Book
Our last Beth Emek Book Group selection. It's a historical novel inspired by the Sarajevo Haggadah. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it highly. It's also a good book leading into the upcoming festival of Passover with it revolving around a historic Passover Haggadah. Enjoy!
John Steinbeck: East of Eden
The Reform movement's reading list has featured this epic novel by California's own John Steinbeck since the list's inception. We're now reading it for the Beth Emek Book Group.
Robert Bly: Iron John: A Book About Men
I've been rereading Iron John in preparation for the Men's Retreat I'm putting together for the beginning of December. Much time has passed since the book first appeared, but it still speaks well to today's men, many of whom are still trying to figure out what it means to be a man in today's world.

Rabbi Rick's Music List

Dan Nichols & e18teen: My Heart is in the East
I was looking for some music to get me into the proper mood for Yom Kippur. I chose this one because the song Or Zarua appears at the beginning of the Erev Yom Kippur service, and then the following song, Kehilla Kedosha quotes the Torah portion from the next morning's service. The album is soulful and ethereal and perfect for my High Holyday preparation. Thanks Dan!
Rabbi Joe Black: Aleph Bet Boogie
This is good music for kids. The kind of music that adult can enjoy listening to with their kids and not being reduced to infantile babbling.
Rabbi Joe Black: Sabbatical
Rabbi Black is a talented musician and thoughtful songwriter and we're blessed to have him come and play in our sukkah this year!
Julie Silver: It's Chanukah Time
Julie is one of my absolute favorite Jewish artists. Her voice is beautiful and sweet. She is a talented musician who writes consistently pleasant music. This album is a must in your Chanukah music collection!
Matisyahu: Youth
The latest by reggae/rap artist Matisyahu. If you're into reggae or rap you should check this out. It's certainly unique.
Mah Tovu: Only This
One of my favorite Jewish albums
The LeeVees: Hanukkah Rocks
The most fun Chanukah album I've listed to in a long time.
Matisyahu: Live at Stubb's
A combination of Reggae and Hip Hop from a practitioner of Chabad Judaism - need I say more!
Shehecheyanu
Beignet Yisrael: Four Jewish Doughnuts in New Orleans
A fun group of two cantors, a cantorial soloist and a rabbi from New Orleans. I hope there will be good reasons to sing Shehecheyanu in New Orleans soon.
When the Saints Go Marchin' In
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Best of
On the wall in Preservation Hall is a sign that gives the cost of requests: $1 for Traditional songs, $2 for others and $5 for 'Saints.' Not because it's a bad song, quite the opposite. It's the most requested, classic Dixieland piece. I hope the sign is still there right now.

We like books. They call us the People of the Book and we treat books, even the Hebrew letters themselves, as sacred.

I find it a beautiful piece of our tradition… but it leads to a challenge.

We don’t throw old books away. Our tradition teaches us that if a page or book contains the name of God, it cannot simply be thrown out. We’re supposed to collect the worn out literature and, at some point, give it a dignified burial.

A few years ago, when my friend Judith’s father-in-law died, the rabbi of their congregation asked if he could put books in the grave. At first, when I saw the box of books the rabbi carried out, I was uncomfortable. The image of a cardboard box stuck inside the grave wasn’t sitting well in my mind, but that’s not what the rabbi did. He took the books out and covered the bottom of the grave with them, making what looked more like a bed of holy words.

The man whose body we buried that day loved Jewish learning, so the image ultimately felt right. The family appreciated it and I was inspired.

This week, when we lost our longtime librarian and a teacher in the community for many, many years, Calvin Lipston, I told the story to his family and asked if they would like to do likewise. They were moved by the image and we did so.

As a rabbi, I’ve listened to the Jewish community for years bemoaning our lack of opportunities to properly lay to rest the books stored in our Genizas. (The Geniza is the term for where we keep the old, holy books.) I don’t know where this particular tradition comes from of laying out the books beneath the casket, but I found it beautiful and an opportunity for so many of us who love our tradition of learning and spend our lives doing so.

As we prepared to lower the casket yesterday, I shared with those in attendance that it seemed fitting that we treat these two sacred vessels in the same manner… the body which housed a divine spirit and the books containing sacred words.

I find comfort in the holy words of our tradition. May our souls all eternally bind to the words of God.

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