Monthly Archives: September 2014

How Can a Soul Sin?! (Zohar)

Posted on September 30, 2014 by zjb

I like the naive shock in the Zohar. Commenting on the verse “If a soul sins” (Lev. 5:1), the Torah is astonished (astonished!) that a soul could sin. Before its descent into the world, the soul stands before the King in a garment … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky in the New York Post

Posted on September 29, 2014 by zjb

I love the New York Post, and their front page editor’s a genius. I’m not sure if out-of-towners will see the affectionate ribbing with which the paper greets the birth of baby Clinton Mezvinsky. Another liberal cry baby!

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Wrath in the World (Evil According to the Zohar)

Posted on September 29, 2014 by zjb

At the very end of the commentary on Exodus, the Zohar turns its attention to the flow and force of evil in the world. The demonic point has no color, and it does not exist. It expands out, to the right … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Dialogue in the 21st Century: A Martin Buber Memorial Conference

Posted on September 29, 2014 by zjb

Dialogue in the 21st Century: A Martin Buber Memorial Conference Manhattan College April 23, 2015   Call for Abstracts: Submissions from all disciplinary backgrounds, including philosophy, religious studies, Judaic studies, media studies, political science, education and peace studies are welcome. … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

BDS (Amira Hass at Birzeit)

Posted on September 28, 2014 by zjb

This is why BDS is the damaging thing that it is, the damage being done not just to Israel, or actually less to Israel than to Palestinian civil society whose call its U.S. advocates of BDS intend to support. At Birzeit … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

In Shul After Gaza — Green Rosh Hashana at Anschei Chesed

Posted on September 28, 2014 by zjb

A report from the liberal pew: The Jewish year this year happens to be a Schmittah year, a sabbatical year. According to the Bible, the land is supposed to stay fallow every seventh year. The land needs to rest. It’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

נהיה לראשׁ ולא לזנב (Rosh Hashana Fish Head Blessing)

Posted on September 27, 2014 by zjb

“May we be like the head and not the tail.” Like many customs and tradition, eating a fish head to mark the new year, is both delicious and disgusting. Before they are moral, these kinds of tradition are gustatory, or … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Barberini Rosh Hashana

Posted on September 24, 2014 by zjb

The bee was the sign chosen by the Barberinis as their emblem. The Barberinis were an important family in 17th c. Rome. Patrons of the arts and religion, Bareberini bees swarm all over the city and in the Vatican too. … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rav Kook = Avatar

Posted on September 23, 2014 by zjb

Rav Kook is Avatar. Master of the 4 basic elements, he brings balance to a chaotic cosmos. Kudos to Sam Brody for this neat little mashup, and for allowing me to post it here at the blog. He merged this … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Responding to the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel (Cary Nelson)

Posted on September 23, 2014 by zjb

I’m tired of writing about BDS, but some of you might be interested in the following, which I’m posting without too much comment. Arguments in favor of BDS are often couched in solidarity with Palestinian civil society. What then does one sign … Continue reading →

Posted in uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments