Divrei Derech: October 2016

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.

« September 2016 | Main | November 2016 »

October 2016

A Beautiful Sukkot Convergence

I think it was 2005 when Parky, my favorite renaissance man, asked if I would be interested in doing an evening of Port Wine & Chocolate in the sukkah. I don’t remember if he knew how deeply appropriate that was. First, the mitzvah (sacred commandment) of the ancient festival of Sukkot is fulfilled by eating and drinking in the sukkah. Then, of course, Jewish tradition holds wine in a special place. We have a special blessing for the fruit of the vine as it reflects a magical process that the rabbis attributed to God. Even the best winemakers today recognize that they are not completely in control of the process.

(Park, Saul and Max working on our first Mega Sukkah)

So, yes, it was a perfect idea.

I’ve kept the tradition since moving down here to Fresno and have been thrilled to find that some of the best Port in the country is made just a few miles away at Ficklin Vineyards in Madera.

I was especially pleased to see Peter Ficklin at the vineyard today while I was picking up some port and took the opportunity to let him know about this ancient Jewish festival and how his port would play a central role. He seemed touched and humbly pleased.

(Peter Ficklin, winemaker at Ficklin Vineyards)

This year and last year we’ve added an additional element to this special evening with the beautiful music of Julie Silver. Good port wine is deep and mellow, sweet but not too sweet and Julie is a perfect complement. There’s a quality to the tone of her voice that is absolutely beautiful. Her writing is thoughtful and deep and her humor is delightful with a little edge that we love.

I’m grateful for all these ingredients coming together in our sukkah… good people, good food and wine, Julie’s beautiful music… and we get mitzvah credit for participating in a wonderful evening.

(Julie Silver in the TBI Sukkah last year with Debbie and Max)

Everyone’s welcome to join us this Saturday night, 7:00 p.m. $20 with alcohol, $10 without call Temple Beth Israel for details and RSVP’s, 559-432-3600.

October 19, 2016 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Words from Yom Kippur

The Sukkah has gone up at the temple, thanks to a bunch of great volunteers and we will soon fill it with activity... Wednesday night - Chinese food fundraiser for the religious school, Friday nights services, picnic dinners and Saturday night... Port Wine, Chocolate and Julie Silver!

So, it's time I post my thoughts from Yom Kippur. I followed the theme of Mitzvah throughout the holy day season including a discussion of why voting is a mitzvah and some practical mitzvah opportunities here, in Israel and elsewhere in the world.

Thank you to all those who made our Holy Day observances so powerful. Special thanks to Debbie and the choir and to Jeanna and our office volunteers for tons of preparation.

Here are links to my Yom Kippur words...

Is It a Mitzvah to Vote? Erev Yom Kippur 5777

Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah, Yom Kippur Morning 5777

October 17, 2016 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mitzvah Messages for the New Year

This has been one of the more challenging High Holy Day cycles. Many of us would love to speak out about political issues but we greatly respect the role of non-profit organizations and our necessity to stay out of divisive, partisan electioneering.

After leaving his post as the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Eric Yoffie writes passionately and intelligently about many salient issues in Jewish life. I encourage you to read the article he published in Ha’aretz discussing this difficult topic:

Clinton vs. Trump: What Should Rabbis Say on Rosh Hashanah?

I’ve chosen to focus this year on mitzvot, the commandments that Judaism employs for not only living life but also making our world a better place. Some of those traditional mitzvot speak to our issues today more directly than others and some mitzvot might need to be evolved in order to meet today’s needs.

Thank you for all the feedback. I’m posting my offerings for those who wish to read them:

Doing Mitzvah, Erev Rosh Hashanah 5777

I Am A Rock, Rosh Hashanah Morning 5777

You can also click on the little links on the left of this post.

A Shanah Tovah um’tukah - a good, sweet New Year to all!

October 07, 2016 | Permalink | Comments (0)