What Is the Cairo Genizah? Originally Published January 25-26, 2019.
As we read of the Jews fleeing Egypt, this past Wednesday in Hazzan Menes’ Coffee with the Cantor class we were reminded of our complex history with Egypt, so it seems a good time to mention the Cairo Genizah. A genizah - a “hiding place” - generally refers to a depository for items which can […]
When Do We Hear the Aseret Hadibberot? Originally published January 18-19, 2019.
The Aseret Hadibberot (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת), the Ten Pronouncements (colloquially, the “Ten Commandments” or, from the Greek translation of the Hebrew, the “Decalogue”), appear next week in Exodus Chapter 20, in Parashat Yitro. And as Am Yisrael stood at the base of Mount Sinai, so we also stand to hear the Aseret Hadibberot chanted as a […]
What Is Tu Bishvat? Originally published on January 18-19, 2019
This year the New Year of the Trees, Tu Bishvat (ט"וּ בִּשְׁבָט), is a celebration of the blossoming of trees. The fruit of a tree may not be used during the first three years (marked by this date). In the fourth year the fruit may be used for sacrifices (tithed), but it may not be […]
What is Shirat Hayam? Originally published January 11-12, 2019.
Shirat Hayam (שִׁירַת הַיָּם), the “Song of the Sea” (also known as “Az Yashir Moshe,” which is the first line), appears at Exodus 15:1, which we will read next week in Parashat Beshallah, on Shabbat Shirah. It praises God in recounting the crossing of the Sea of Reeds (the Red Sea) and the destruction of […]
What Is Tahanun? Originally Published January 4-5, 2019.
Tahanun (תַּחֲנוּן) or “supplication” is also sometimes called “nefilat appayim,” which means “falling on the face.” It is a part of the morning (Shaharit) service and also the afternoon (Minhah) service, falling just after the Amidah. Differing practices have arisen around this prayer which has its roots in the Bible and is set forth in […]