Monthly Archives: October 2016

(Poland) Erev Yom Kippur (Mayer Kirshenblatt)

Posted on October 11, 2016 by zjb

Mayer Kirshenblat, Yo\m Kippur Eve (1993) Arms are the basic component to this lovely painting. Gemar chatimah tovah. [[photo credit from They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust, by Mayer Kirshenblatt … Continue reading →

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I’m Sorry (Yom Kippur)

Posted on October 11, 2016 by zjb

With Yom Kippur right on the horizon, it might be a little late, but  I would like to apologize to anyone whom I’ve offended this past year. I’ve never said I’m a perfect person, nor pretended to be someone that … Continue reading →

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(Norms) Smoked Fish Atonement (Upper West Side)

Posted on October 10, 2016 by zjb

They used to sprinkle blood on the insides of the Tabernacle tent on Yom Kippur. Today, the  Upper West of New York prepares at Zabar’s for the break-fast to the Day of Atonement, buying up all the salty, smoked fish. … Continue reading →

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Norms (The Heavy Weight of Constraining Authority in Jewish Philosophy) (Or Just an Image)

Posted on October 10, 2016 by zjb

I picked a fight about “Jewish law’ and “authority” with two colleagues on FB with a recent post about Ayelet Shaked and Jewish fascism. The upshot is whether or not so-called Jewish law operates as a system of binding constraints, … Continue reading →

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על חטא שחטאנוּ (Donald Trump’s Mouth)

Posted on October 8, 2016 by zjb

The Jewish moral tradition makes a big deal about language. Heading towards the Day Of Atonement is a little juxtaposition — Donald Trump’s mouth and a wee bit of the long confession from the Yom Kippur liturgy, “for the sins we have … Continue reading →

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Lies & The Art of Politics (Yair Lapid)

Posted on October 7, 2016 by zjb

Fascinating profile on Yair Lapid here at Ha’aretz. Apparently Lapid has figured out how to take the center of the Israeli political spectrum. Conceal your true intentions (in this case regarding the occupation and a two state solution) while giving, … Continue reading →

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Jewish & Anti-Democratic (Tikvah Fund)

Posted on October 6, 2016 by zjb

The neconservative Tikva Fund has a new Hebrew language platform in Israel where they published this bit by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. Those of us in the field know that the Tikva Fund has long committed itself to “law,” “Jewish … Continue reading →

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(Syracuse) Job Announcement (American Religion & Critical Theory)

Posted on October 5, 2016 by zjb

The Department of Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University invites applications for a tenure-track position as an Assistant Professor of Religion to begin August 2017. We seek a colleague who works on contemporary religion on … Continue reading →

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שנה טובה ומתוקה

Posted on October 2, 2016 by zjb

Shana tova u’metuka سنة سعيدة وحلوة Happy and Sweet New Year (Rosh Ha’shanah) (if google translate screwed up the Arabic, please tell me asap)

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Animal Shabbat (Laszlo)

Posted on October 1, 2016 by zjb

Over time, Laszlo has learned to expect challah when he hears the blessings over candles and wine. Highly conscious, he makes a definite physical approach towards those around the table in what can only be described as a focused state of … Continue reading →

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