Kol Ramah

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Re’eh [Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17] is the fourth parashah in Deuteronomy. After a few introductory verses, the parashah begins the lengthy section Jeffrey Tigay entitles “The Laws Given in Moab”, which continues through the next few weeks to parashat Ki Tavo, read on September 21. Deuteronomy is perhaps best known for its commandment to centralize the cult in the Temple in Jerusalem, with the concomitant destruction of all the local sanctuaries. This centralization requires the reformulation of the holidays among other spheres of law. We spent some time discussing this, and the commandment to ושמחת, understood as to rejoice or to celebrate.

This is the third of the third of the seven weeks of consolation following Tisha B’Av. Each of the haftarot for these seven shabbatot come from the book scholars call Second Isaiah. This week’s haftarah [Isaiah 54:11–55:5] includes the verse which is the basis for the midrash which concludes the first talmudic tractate, Berakhot. It is so popular that it concludes other tractates as well. We discuss both the verse and the midrash as well.

We continue to be 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 loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom..

Welcome to Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky.Parashat Eqev [Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25] is the third parashah in the Book of Deuteromony. Among its verses are the 7 species [8:8] which distinguish the Land of Israel, the verse [8:9] which is incorporated into the Grace after Meals and provides the halakhic [Jewish legal] basis for its recitation, and the 2nd paragraph of the Shema [11:13–21], with its theme of Reward and Punishment. Our conversation, as it often does, meanders from topic to topic. Among other things, we discussed the importance of the land and the differences between monotheism and paganism; we hope you enjoy it!

We continue to be 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 loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-etchanan [Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11] contains, among other passages, the second version of the 10 Commandments, as remembered by Moshe 40 years after they were given at Sinai [Exodus 20], and the first paragraph of the Shema, the great credal statement of Judaism, together with a pssage from next week [Deuteronomy 11:13-21, the 2nd paragraph], and a passage from Numbers [15:37-41, the 3rd paragraph]. In addition, there are a number of verses which have entered the Jewish liturgy, two in the Torah service, one in the special service of Simchat Torah, and one in the Aleinu, which for hundreds of years has been the concluding prayer of the 3 daily prayer services, and a passage which makes it into the 4 Questions of the Haggadah at the Passover Seder.

Our conversation took up the pathos of Moshe, who is told in no uncertain terms he is to stop asking God to let him into the Promised Land. What is Moshe thinking about as he fashions and delivers this address? What is he trying to get across to the Jewish people, who, unlike him, will soon enter the land. Along the way, we discuss memory and reenactment, and the difference between an imaginaitve approach and an historical approach to religion, and in particular, Judaism.

We continue to be mindful of the hostage 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 loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.

Palmer Day 2024 kicks off.

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Devarim [Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22] opens the Book of Deuteronomy. It is a longstanding tradition to read this parashah on the Shabbat preceding Tisha B'Av, the Fast of the Ninth of Av, the day on which Jews commemorate the tragic events which have befallen us as a people. Most notably, the 9th of Av is the traditional day for the destruction of both the First and Second Temples; it is also said to be the day the people received the decree that they would not enter the Promised Land in response to the report about the land from.thevspies [see Numbers 13-14]. Our conversation considered how to besr describe Deuteronomy, is it a book of rebuke or a book of lamentation, which led us to discuss how the war affects our observance of Tisha B'Av this year.

We continue to be 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 loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harms way. Shabbat Shalom.

The two teams of Yom Sport present songs, cheers, and their banners. Congratulations to the blue team!!!

Recorded by Amy Erlanger

A snippet of the B Side Competition that was part of Yom Sport 2024.

The kids of Nitzanim create cheers for their respective teams.

The kids of Cochavim compete during Yom Sport! It's Blue vs Green. Who's going to come out with the victory?

The kids of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires find out that Yom Sport is happening the next day, and that the theme is Monsters Inc.!