Kol Ramah Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Acharei Mot [Leviticus 16-18] consists of 3 chapters, each with its own theme: chapter 16 is devoted to Yom Kippur, with its emphasis on the purification of the sanctuary; chapter 17 treats proper forms of worship, to borrow a phrase from Baruch Levine’s JPS Commentary on Leviticus; and, chapter 18 deals primarily with the biblical incest taboo, which at its heart speaks to the definition of the family. With the end of Passover 5784 taking place yesterday, as I write, we enter a period of the Jewish calendar sometimes called the “yoms” [Hebrew for day], with the upcoming observances of Yom HaShoah [Commemoration of the Holocaust, Sunday night-Monday, May 5-6], Yom HaZikaron [Israel’s Memorial Day, Sunday night-Monday, May 12-13], Yom Ha-Atzma’ut [Israel’s Independence Day, Monday night-Tuesday, May 13-14], and Yom Y’rushalayim [marking the reunification of Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty in the 6-Dat War [Tuesday night-Wednesday, June 4-5].
In our conversation this week we mostly talked about Yom HaShoah. How do we, should we commemorate the Holocaust? Is there, and should there be, a liturgy for its observance? What does it mean in this year of war in Israel and Gaza? Give a listen and let us know what you think either here, below, or at parshatalk@gmail.com.
As the war nears the end of its 7th month, we are ever mindful of the hostages and their families, and the men and women who defend Israel as soldiers in the Israel Defense Force. May the hostages be speedily returned to their homes; may the soldiers be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. This Shabbat is Chol Ha-Mo’ed Pesach, the Shabbat which falls during the week of Pesach [Passover]. The Torah Reading is from Parashat Ki Tissa [Exodus 33:12–34:26], which includes the 13 attributes of God as well as one of the earliest festival calendars; it is also read on Shabbat Chol Ha-Mo’ed Sukkot. The haftarah is from Ezekiel, and is the famous vision of the valley of the dry bones [Ezekiel 37:1-14]. Looking ahead to the concluding days of the holiday, the Torah Reading on the 7th day of Pesach [April 27] features Shirat Ha-Yam, the Song of the Sea [Exodus 15:1-19]. It is also customary to read The Song of Songs this Shabbat.
Given the turbulence of recent times, our focus was on hope. Are there texts that are part of our liturgical calendar this week, and especially this Shabbat, which point to it? How do we understand the core texts such as the crossing of the Sea; do we see it as the end of a journey or the beginning of one? How do we see the crossing itself, from the point of view of an average Israelite? Does the allegorization of Song of Songs have anything to teach us about hope in the modern world? These are some of the questions we entertain. Let us know what you think of our answers either below or at parshatalk@gmail.com.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the hostages, may they be returned to their homes safely, and the soldiers defending Israel, may they be removed from harm’s way. It is traditional to say during these intermediate days מועדים לשמחה, may it be a season of happiness, to which one responds, חגים וזמנים לששון, may these holidays and seasons be for joy. May it be so for all who have loved ones, here and in the Middle East, and throughout the world.

Parashat M’tzora [Leviticus 14-15] coincides with Shabbat Ha-Gadol, the Shabbat before Pesach which features a special haftarah [Malachi 3:4-24], but no special maftir [additional Torah reading]. The subject matter of Metzora is a continuation of the skin disease taken up in last week’s Torah reading [in particular Leviticus 13], which can also afflict a house, as well as various discharges which might happen to men and women, and their treatment. Although acknowledged as another amazing parashah, we focused our conversation on the upcoming Passover holiday, and in particular passages in the haggadah we find especially relevant in these days of war. Perhaps you will find some of what we say useful at your seder. Please let us know!
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the hostages, may they be returned to their homes safely, and the soldiers defending Israel, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Tazria [Leviticus 12-13] flies solo this year because it is a leap year in the Jewish calendar. Most years it is paired with Metzora [Leviticus 14-15], which will be the Torah Reading next week. The double portion is preferred by most people because it is not so easy to derive personal and spiritual meaning from a text devoted to childbirth and skin afflictions. The rabbis themselves identify the sin of lashon ha-ra [often translated as slander] as the responsible agent for the disease, which can be fruitful for discussion and derivation of meaning. We did the best we could with some of the features that captured our fancy, but also spent a good chunk of time on a consideration of some texts from the Haggadah as preparation for Passover. Please let us know what you think, either below or at parshatalk@gmail.com.
With the war now in its seventh month, we are ever mindful of the hostages, may they be restored to their families speedily, and the soldiers in the IDF, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha alk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Sh’mini [Leviticus 9-11] coincides this year with Parashat Ha-chodesh [maftir: Exodus 12:1-20; haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18]. This is the last of the four special shabbatot before Pesach, which is now officially just over the horizon. Ha-chodesh is the first commandment given to the Israelite people, understood to mark Nisan as the first of the months; it takes place on the Shabbat before or coinciding with Rosh Chodesh Nisan, so that we are finally, or too soon, depending on your cleaning schedule, about to enter the month in which Passover is celebrated. For those of you keeping score at home, the first seder is Monday evening, April 22.
The text from Leviticus, which is the weekly Torah reading, concludes the inauguration of the Tabernacle and priesthood with the tragedy of Nadav and Avihu, which was the focus for most of our conversation. Near the end, we took up Ha-chodesh and the upcoming Passover holiday, which we are likely to return to in the next week or two given the subject matter of the next two parashiyot! Give a listen, and let us know what you think!!
As the war enters its six month, we are ever mindful of the hostages, may they be restored to their families speedily, and the soldiers in the IDF, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Tzav [Leviticus 6:1-8:36] coincides with Parashat Parah [maftir: Numbers 19:1-22; haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38], the third of the four special shabbatot before Passover. Tzav presents the priestly view of the sacrifices which were covered in last week’s parashah from the Israelite’s point of view. Our conversation touched upon a writing feature found in the second verse, the word moq’dah beginning with a small mem [equivalent to English m]. From there our conversation caught fire as it were! We hope you enjoy it!
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the hostages, may they be returned to their homes safely, and the soldiers defending Israel, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.