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One of the beautifully democratic things about Talmudic Judaism is that all rabbis' opinions are recorded. They at times disagree with themselves as well as each other. Perhaps this is where we get the phrase, "Ten Jews. Twelve opinions." Or why in most synagogues at the Oneg Shabbat (coffee and cake after the service) the Rabbi's sermon is dissected and torn apart perhaps by the shammas (the synagogue's caretaker), the two old guys who snored through it, and maybe even by the Rebetizin (Rabbi's wife)!
Furthermore, Talmudic Judaism is pluralistic and regards other religions as equally valid in developing a relationship with God. While Judaism is the correct path for Jews, Judaism clearly states that other religions and nations whose prophets have a theophany (revelation from God) are equal to Moses. And, unlike many religions, Judaism states that the righteous of all nations share the same claim to the World to Come as Jews (Talmud Bavli Tractate Sanhedrin 105a).
The concept of God among the Hebrews was of One Who is everywhere. Clearly, God's realm was in Heaven for the Hebrews. And while such language also permeates the Talmud, it is clear that for Judaism, God resides in a Holy spark within each and every one of us. We humans are created with both good inclinations and bad. We have freedom of choice to act "Godfully," or to ignore our Holy spark and to do wrong.
The aim of Jewish Spiritual Renewal is to bring us into conscious contact with our Holy spark, which we call God, so that we can live a life loving our fellows, doing justice, being humble (Micah 6:8) and being happy, joyous and free. We will learn to reach inside of ourselves and let the goodness flow, not the bad. This is the ultimate in following God's will.
Next week we will, God willing, begin with Chapter Two of (001) The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal - Rabbi Arthur Segal http://www.shop.jewishspiritualrenewal.net/product.sc;jsessionid=39A774C029334845E91AE9FF96ABDB7C.qscstrfrnt03?productId=1&categoryId=1
A D'var Torah for the Shabbat of November 14, 2009 is below.
Shalom uvracha:
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Parasha Chayei Sarah: Genesis 23:01-25:18
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"Thank Heaven For Little Girls"
Three funerals are described in this parasha; Sarah's, Abraham's and Ishmael's. Judaism accords great respect to the dead, those who have preceded us. But don't take that to mean that Judaism dwells in the past. Judaism does not neglect what lies ahead. Abraham continues with his life as soon as Sarah is buried, sending his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. Judaism is a linear process. It must grow and adapt to survive. It has grown, adapted, and reformed throughout its history, never stagnating. As rabbi Mordechai Kaplan (20th Century founder of Reconstructionist Judaism) stated: "Our traditions have a vote, but not a veto."
"Sarah's life time (Chayei Sarah, which is our parasha's name) was one hundred years, twenty years, and seven years." (Gen. 23:01). Rashi gives an explanation about the repetition of the word years. Sarah's life was divided into three periods. At one hundred years, she was as sinless as a twenty-year-old. At twenty, she still had the wholesome beauty of a seven year old. Rashi says that three miracles occurred for Sarah due to her spirituality. According to the Midrash, her Shabbat candles burned an entire week, the dough she used for bread made more challah than it should have, and a special protective cloud covered her tent. The sages say that Sarah was so wonderful that her behavior atoned for Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden. Sarah was the first Eishet Chayil (woman of valor) and the first woman with a true "ba'alat chesed" (personality of kindness). The Midrash also compares her to Queen Esther. They say that because Sarah lived for 127 years, Esther was rewarded for her own kindness by ruling over 127 provinces.
Abraham negotiates with Efron for a burial site. He buys the cave of Machpelah in the town of Kiriat-Arba. The name of the cave means "double." This is because it is a two-tiered cave because of the patriach-matriach couples that will be buried here. The name of the town means "city of four." This town is named after the four mythical giants who lived there. The spies claimed they saw them years later during Moses' time. The town's name may reflect the four couples traditionally thought to be buried here: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah, and Adam and Eve. The Zohar says Adam and Eve were buried here because the Garden of Eden was close by. The Zohar goes further and says this cave is the entrance to "Gan Eden."
Efron is a shrewd bargainer. If any of you have traveled to any country where bargaining is the norm, you will love the details of this story. Frankly, if any of you have bought a used car lately (with my apologies to my friends in the car biz) you will find this tale endearing. Abraham offers full price for the cave. Efron says to take it as a gift along with the entire field, as it would not be fitting to have a burial site located on another's property. Abraham agrees, and Efron names the price for the full field with the cave, for which Abraham pays. Even though Abraham has had a rough time recently with his almost sacrificing Isaac and his wife dying, and even though Efron is a crook, Abraham remains an upright individual. Throughout the chapter, Efron's name is spelled with a "vuv" (a silent letter that becomes sounded when a vowel is added to it). As soon as the sale is consummated, Efron's name no longer is written with this letter. Since Efron made such a public display of offering the land to Abraham for free, and then privately overcharged him, Efron lost his stature. Rashi says this is what we are being taught by the missing vuv. Abraham was asked to pay four hundred shekels. He counted out four hundred shekels in "negotiable currency"(23:16). Talmud Tractate Bava Metzia 87A says that each shekel that Abraham gave was worth 2,500 ordinary shekels. Thus, Abraham paid one million shekels to Efron. Even though Efron was now wealthy, he had no standing with God or Abraham, as he proved himself to be deceitful and manipulative. Efron is no better than the land that he sold. His name without the vuv can now be read "afran" which is Hebrew for dirt.
The parasha juxtaposes the Efron-Abraham story with the Rebecca-Eliezer story. Eliezer also is in need. He has traveled a long distance and he and his animals are thirsty. Rebecca, without expectation for reward, gives Eliezer and his camels water. But she did so in an exalted manner. She lowered the jug herself into the well to spare Eliezer the effort. She held the jug and brought it to his mouth so he would not need to hold it. She then brought up water for all of his camels. Verse 24:10 says that Eliezer had ten camels. A thirsty camel can drink 14 gallons of water. Rebecca herself brought up 140 gallons of water! And the Torah said she did all of this while running (24:20) back and forth to the well so that no one camel would feel thirst while another camel was drinking. When Eliezer asks if she can provide lodging, not only does she say yes, but she offers to lodge the camels as well. Eliezer is "astonished" (24:21) by her acts of kindness (chesed) and gives her all of the betrothal gifts that he was to save for a member of Abraham's brother's household before he knew that Rebecca was from the clan to which Abraham belonged. Eventually Rebecca agrees to go back to Abraham's camp with Eliezer to marry Isaac. Verse 24:59 says that a nurse went with Rebecca. The sages, by using the numbers of ages given in the book of Genesis, determine that Rebecca is only 3 years old when she marries Isaac.
Abraham marries Keturah. As mentioned in last week's D'var Torah, the rabbis say that Keturah is really Hagar who remained chaste after Abraham expelled her. Keturah means "restrained" or "chaste" in Aramaic. Jewish law forbids one from remarrying his divorced wife if she married someone else after the first divorce. Abraham gives his new sons "gifts" (Gen.25:06) but gives Isaac "all that he had"(Gen. 25:05). The Talmud says that this means that Isaac received all of Abraham's spiritual possessions and all the rights of inheritance to lead the Hebrew family.
The Talmud says that Abraham dies with these Torah words to describe it: These are the days of the years." (Gen.25:07). The Mishna says there are those who are old, but without days. And there all those who have days, but are not old. Many of us add years to our lives without enriching our lives. We grow spiritually or intellectually to a certain age, and from that point on, we just add years. Abraham made each day count. Until the end, he lived his life to the fullest.
He continued to do chesed and even fathered seven more sons. The Rambam (Maimonides of 11th Century Spain) writes that a Jew must perform at least one act of chesed each day in order for it even to be considered a day. Not one day was absent from Abraham's life. The Vilna Gaon of 18th Century Lithuania reminds us that every day of our lives we must do a "chesbon ha nefesh," a daily accounting of our lives. This is to be done all year round, not only on the High Holy Days.
The parasha ends with the death of Ishmael at 137 years. His life span is broken up into three sections like Sarah's. The Totofot rabbis of 12th and 13th Century France and Germany say that Ishmael's years are given the same structure as Sarah's to show that his earlier sins were erased. His teshuvah (repentant return) was so sincere and so complete that his life was equal to an "unbroken chain of righteousness." During the High Holy Days we beat our chests and promise to change for the better. These verses help us to remember to keep the momentum going in our Jewish Spiritual Renewal, teshuvah, and our growth process.
Our Haftarah deals with half brothers who are also in line for succeeding their father. King David's oldest son Adonijah wants to be king, and plots to take over his father's throne. But Adonijah is a drunk and likes wild parties. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba, David's wife, act quickly and convince David to name young prince Solomon to succeed David and to quash Adonijah's plans (I Kings 1:1-31). In the beginning of the Haftarah we find that King David has a high fever with severe chills and cannot get warm. They bring him a beautiful virgin to sleep with. He is not intimate with her.
"It is good to be the king." – Mel Brooks, 20th Century screenwriter.
We are all kings or queens of our domain. Like Ishmael, we can do full teshuvah, and like Rebecca, Sarah and Abraham, we can do acts of loving kindness that can provide water to our fellows' thirsty needs. We are a "kingdom of priests" and a "light to the nations." Let us strive to live our lives with days, and not to only just tack on years. Life is too precious a gift to waste on pettiness. There are too many Efrons and Labans in this world already. This Shabbat, when we call out to God in the Amidah and repeat the names of our ancestors, let us pray to allow ourselves to be the merciful and kind people we all know that we have the capacity to be.
Shabbat Shalom,
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| Rabbi Arthur Segal reveals the path to Jewish Spiritual Renewal - and happiness in troubled times...
YES, it is possible. Even when the world seems to be turning upside-down, you can follow a simple, step-by-step process that will have you loving life every day no matter what is going on around you. It's no secret, but nobody's been talking about it for generations...until now.In His New Book:
"The Handbook To Jewish Spiritual Renewal by Rabbi Arthur Segal has given me the foundation to approach each day with honesty, reverence, hope and gratitude. I feel like I am having a personal conversation with a wise prophet with a jovial sense of humor." Diane Weinberg, Shalom. My name is Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal, and in my years of rabbinic counseling I've met an awful lot of fellow Jews who are short on faith that Judaism can deliver the happiness and joy that it promises, especially in these turbulent times. Their emotions run the gamut: sadness, loneliness, bitterness; fearfulness of what the future holds for them. Some are just downright cynical and angry. But I found the way out. That's why I became a rabbi after retiring from my dental practice; to help others up the path to a life of joy and freedom that I couldn't find in "normative" Judaism. I want to show you that path today. "You lead the spiritual practices of the entire program and offer our followers a unique spiritual opportunity." Hune Margulies, Ph.D. Reclaim Your Spirituality...And Your Life
In The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew, I distill teachings from our sages that have been passed along for thousands of years, along with lessons from the Torah and the Talmud. But unlike other Jewish spiritual texts that you may have read, or sermons you may have heard, this book presents these lessons in a concise, easy-to-read, easy-to-follow life transformation process that you can follow step-by-step at your own pace. And it is written in plain English with relevance to the modern world. I even threw in a few jokes to make it fun! This is stuff we were not taught in Hebrew school or in most synagogues, but it is what Judaism is really all about. "Wonderful stuff! I'm savoring it, bit by bit." Samuel Hughes, Senior Editor In The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew, you will learn:
A Question for YouLet me ask you a question: Are you enjoying life like the people in the cartoon at the top of this letter?Or, do you spend your days worrying about the economy... ...in conflict with friends, family, and co-workers... ...stressed out about the future? If the latter sounds like you I'm not surprised. As I said earlier, I counsel many fellow Jews who are in the same boat, and they look to their Jewish faith to find a happier life. However... Some have trouble understanding what they read in the Torah and how it relates to their own lives. Others find that their synagogues are more about social climbing and fundraising and less about spiritual awakening. Many simply give up, believing that Judaism has failed them, and they walk away from their Jewish faith. In my book, The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew, I will show you that true Judaism has not failed them...or you...and that you can return to your Jewish faith and enjoy your life to its fullest, even when the news of the day keeps going from bad to worse. "I couldn't have written the book or expressed my pain and concern for the Jewish people returning to Judaism. Thank God that He put this desire in your heart." Janelle Vechi It's simpler than you may think, and you don't have to become a rabbi as I did. To give you an idea what I am talking about, here is an excerpt from The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew: We become so far removed from God, our loving Sovereign Parent, that when we pray, (if we pray at all), we pray to meet an immediate need. We desire an immediate fix, rather than to seek renewal (return) and the wisdom to work toward renewal. We are satisfied for a moment if our trivial need is met. We therefore never achieve happiness in the long term. We are constantly searching and striving for our secular notions of success and happiness. While in this all-too-common state our egos "lock horns" with the egos of others, putting us in a sustained state of human conflict and resentment.
This is not the Jewish way to live; but most of us cannot find the way out. In this book, I will give a map to the tools of the process in simple terms and in language easily understood, to turn your life around to a much more pleasant state. If you follow the map faithfully and honestly, you will find that the journey is life-changing and life-affirming. "Nice Rabbi Segal! Thank you! Peace." Deepak Chopra's Intent.com What Would You Say Something Like This is Worth?Think about it… The teachings of the Torah and the Talmud all distilled into an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-follow step-by-step process that will help you:
I know it sounds priceless and in reality…it is. But I sincerely want to share what has helped me and countless others with you. In other words, I want to show you the path to the happy and joyous life that your were meant to live. So I want you to have The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew for only $19.99. "The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal is an invaluable resource for anyone who is searching for more in their life. I was involved with organized Jewish religion, but something was always missing. Using this guide, and taking each chapter to heart, has transformed my views and put me on the track my life is supposed to be on, filled with love, trust and emunah (faith). Thanks Rabbi Segal!" Ben Pincus Like I said, I've been where you are: in a life missing spirituality; seemingly unable to cope with life's difficulties; and unable to find peace and inner shalom. But I found it and now I want to share with you the path that I have found and passed on to others with consistent success. It took me many years of work and study, and rabbinic ordination. But it didn't have to. And it doesn't have to for you. You can travel the same path that I did, but you can do it in only 254 pages!We are living in a historically turbulent time. Economic uncertainty, political corruption, threats of aggression, and religious conflict are everywhere. I know that I would find it difficult to find comfort without the peace and inner shalom that I have found through Jewish Spiritual Renewal. Please join me now. |
 Click to Order | A SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL COMPENDIUM TO THE TORAH AND TALMUD Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal dissects each of the Torah's weekly sections (parashot) using the Talmud and other rabbinic texts to show the true Jewish take on what the Torah is trying to teach us. This companion to The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew brings the Torah alive with daily relevance to the Modern Jew. All of the Torah can be summed up in one word: Chesed. It means kindness. The Talmud teaches that the Torah is about loving our fellow man and that we are to go and study. The rest is commentary. This compendium clarifies the commentary and allows one to study Torah and Talmud to learn the Judaic ideals of love, forgiveness, kindness, mercy and peace. A must read for all Jews and deserves a place in every Jewish home. Price: $24.99 494 Pages Published by: Amazon's BookSurge |
"Very informative and timely. It allows many people to benefit from Torah lessons, where many of them may not otherwise have an opportunity receive such content."
Mauricio Benzipporah
Founder, Beta-Gershom Organization
A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud dissects each of the Torah's weekly sections (parashot) using the Talmud and other rabbinic texts to interpret its lessons.
Rabbi Daniel Ben Shmuel
A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud brings the Torah alive with daily relevance to the Modern Jew.
All of Torah can be summed up in one word: Chesed. It means kindness. The Talmud teaches that the Torah is about loving our fellow man and that we are to ''go and study.'' The rest is commentary.
A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud clarifies the commentary and allows one to study the Torah and the Talmud to learn the Judaic ideals of love, forgiveness, kindness, mercy and peace.
It is a must read for those seeking Jewish Spiritual Renewal and is the ideal complement to The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew.
Here is an excerpt from A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud:
Since each parasha is the weekly Torah portion, you may read each of the chapters in the book during the course of a week while also reading the actual Torah portion. By doing so, you will learn a modern Jewish Spiritual view of each Torah portion. At the same time, your world will be open to the ethical teachings of the Talmud.
While many read the Torah as a history book, or a deed to land, or see it as a boring book full of legalisms and ritual for a priesthood that no longer exists, this book aims to show you the spiritual ethical lessons in each parasha. In a sense this book will hopefully help you enjoy reading and understanding the Five Books of Moses, what we call Chumash from the Hebrew word for "five." You may even discover that you want to continue your study with the Talmud and other Jewish texts.
Leslie Palma-Simoncek
Staten Island Advance
Complete your journey UP the path to Jewish Spiritual Renewal with a better understanding of the Torah's lessons through A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud for only $24.99...
...certainly a small amount to pay for the priceless wisdom contained within the Torah and the Talmud.
You can purchase each book individually, but if you purchase them together as a set, I will donate a portion of the sales price in your name to a tzadakkah of your choice, such as your synagogue. Think of it as your first act of loving kindness in your spiritually renewed life!
Click Here to Order
 Click Image to Enlarge | THE HANDBOOK TO JEWISH SPIRITUAL RENEWAL: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew |
 Click Image to Enlarge | A SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL COMPENDIUM TO THE TORAH AND TALMUD |
About Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal
Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal's love of Judaism and his Ahavath Israel led him on his personal quest for Jewish Spiritual Renewal, beginning his studies after retirement from a successful oral medicine practice. Rabbi Segal graduated cum laude with BA and DMD degrees, Specialty, and Post-Doctoral studies in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in the 1970s. He is an author in these chosen fields as well.
Rabbi Segal teaches classes on Jewish Spiritual Renewal and The Spiritual and Ethical Teachings of the Torah, TaNaK and Talmud via the Shamash online program. He teaches Torah, Talmud, and other great texts, such as Duties of the Heart by Ibn Pakudah of 1050 C.E. Spain, to adults in his hometown. Rabbi Dr. Segal does rabbinic counseling using the step-by-step process of Jewish Spiritual Renewal to help his fellow Jews achieve a spiritual life.
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©2009 Dr. Arthur Segal, P.A. d/b/a Rabbi Arthur Segal
Page header image is courtesy of Steve Greenberg (greenberg-art.com)
