This Hasidic fiddler is incredible! And such kavana! Look at the fervor in his eyes! Can you feel the holiness? Only what, exactly, is he playing?
Find out after the jump!
Find out after the jump!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Oy Gay
Report:
Orthodox rabbi marries gay couple in historic wedding in DCQuick thoughts:
For the first time in history, [sic] Steve Greenberg, an openly-gay American rabbi ordained by the Orthodox movement, has officiated at a same-sex wedding ceremony.
On Thursday night at Washington DC’s “Historic 6th and I Synagogue,” Greenberg stood under the chupah, a traditional Jewish wedding canopy, as newlyweds Yoni Bock and Ron Kaplan tied the knot before some two-hundred guests. Recognizing the unique – and controversial – moment, Greenberg’s voice notably cracked when near the end he stated, “By the power invested in me by the District of Columbia, I now pronounce you married.”
- Anyone, Jew or gentile, straight or gay, can choose to be married under a chuppa.
- Anyone, Jew or gentile, straight or gay, can choose to wear a kittle at his wedding.
- Anyone, Jew or gentile, straight or gay, can choose to be married by a Rabbi.
- Anyone, Jew or gentile, straight or gay, can create any wedding liturgy he likes.
- State and federal law should make no distinction between gay and straight weddings.
- Religions can make any rules they like (so long as no one gets wounded or killed.)
The above points are inarguable and self-evident. Also inarguable and self-evident is the fact that this wedding was not an Orthodox Jewish wedding. Though, there's nothing "wrong" in a written-in-the-sky way about a gay couple choosing to wed with all of the accouterments of an Orthodox Jewish wedding, the use of such accouterments do not turn the wedding into an Orthodox Jewish wedding. The same, by the way, is true for straight weddings. A ceremony isn't "orthodox" by virtue of the kittle or the chuppa, or the type of yeshiva that ordained the minister, nor should we get hung up on defining the difference between an Orthodox Jewish wedding, and a non-Orthodox Jewish wedding: If the groom gives his bride something of value and a ketubah, I think that's enough in the eyes of Judaism. What seems essential, though, at least from the perspective of Judaism, is the presence of a bride.
Though I won't say the marriage shown in this video is illegitimate or false or undeserving of legal recognition and common courtesy, I don't think it qualifies as a Jewish wedding. Likely, the grooms don't care. Likely, they were marrying in a style that they recognized and one that made them comfortable, without also claiming that their ceremony was a Jewish one. If so, fine. If not also fine. Which brings us back to the old, vexing question: Is Judaism a matter of what Rabbis say, or a matter of what Jews do?
Postscript
See them leave the chupa. I confess to finding it odd that they chose to be escorted out to Od Yisahma, a song that speaks of the happiness shared by a bride and groom, but again, this is what they're used to, and the style they found meaningful. Who does it hurt?
Though I won't say the marriage shown in this video is illegitimate or false or undeserving of legal recognition and common courtesy, I don't think it qualifies as a Jewish wedding. Likely, the grooms don't care. Likely, they were marrying in a style that they recognized and one that made them comfortable, without also claiming that their ceremony was a Jewish one. If so, fine. If not also fine. Which brings us back to the old, vexing question: Is Judaism a matter of what Rabbis say, or a matter of what Jews do?
Postscript
See them leave the chupa. I confess to finding it odd that they chose to be escorted out to Od Yisahma, a song that speaks of the happiness shared by a bride and groom, but again, this is what they're used to, and the style they found meaningful. Who does it hurt?
Search for more information about mazal tovs at 4torah.com
Let Shmarya be Shmarya
Hershel Tzeig is very upset that Shmarya Rosenberg of Failed Messiah has, as yet, written nothing about the Penn State. Last week, he voiced his anger with an outburst on behalf of every Jew in the world:
Tzeig's line of reasoning seems to be that Shamrya shouldn't report about Jewish scoundrels unless he also reports about every other type if scoundrel. But is that really fair? Shmarya is a one-man show. He has to specialize. He can't be expected to comment on every scandal, and because his time is limited he shouldn't comment when he has nothing new to add. The Penn State scandal has been covered ten different ways from Tuesday. Nearly two weeks later, Google News returns over 4100 results. What might Shmarya say that hasn't already been said? Why spend time rehashing a scandal that's been properly covered, when he could instead spend time investigating the scandals that no one is covering?
In his comments, Tzeig suggests that Shmarya doesn't care about protecting children, rather Failed Messiah's real motive is "to make Jews look bad." [Reminds me of Avi Safran c:2007] I'd counter that its the Jews who are making themselves look bad. Its the old story of blaming the messenger for his message. In any event, why are Shmarya's motives relevant? Why is he being judged based on some biased and speculative guess as to what his motives might be, rather than on his actual accomplishments? Let's say Shmarya really does hate Jews. Let's stipulate that he brought his blog into existence for the sake of embarrassing them. So? He still runs his blog responsibly, he still demonstrates journalistic integrity, and he still gets credit for the scoops he's uncovered and the reporting he's posted, scoops and reporting that have made it harder for Jewish criminals to escape justice, and harder for organizations like Agudah to continue pretending that hemlines are the biggest problem facing klal yisroel. Its only after our communal problems have been publicized by bloggers like Shmarya, that the work of solving them can begin. This is why the J-blogosphere matters.
It may disturb Tzeig that Shmarya has, in the style of an Old Testament prophet, chosen to focus on Orthodox Jewish malfeasance, but it bothers me that such a focus is possible. If Jews were as great as we say we are, Shmarya would be out of business. If you want Shmarya to go away, fix the problems. its as simple as that. Silencing Shmarya so that we can continue keeping our heads in the sand is dishonest and counterproductive
[This is a response to one post. It is not a commentary on Tzeig's blog, as a whole, or his blogging career. I do not read Circus Tent, and have no knowledge of Tzeig's overall style or his opinions on other matters.]
[Update Shmarya posted on Penn State yesterday, three days after Tzeigs complaint, but his take was: "What can Haredim learn from it?"]
Search for more information about Failed Messiah at 4torah.com
It's been a week since the scandal broke at Penn State. In that span of days we've heard from a certain "crusading" blogger about Meal Mart Salmonella, battered Jewish women, Reb Shmuel Kamenetzky telling people not to go to the Police when they see abuse, more abuse in the Jewish Community, Israeli Haredis being male chauvinists, the Kletzky murder trial, Reb Nosson Tzvi, but only because his mother was from his neighborhood in S. Paul, and a host of non-issues. Including a very important story about a Ethiopian Jew being named Israeli Ambassador to ----- Ethiopia. But not a word, not one single, solitary word, about the abuse that went on there for years, not just abuse but violation! of young children by the No. 2 man in the University's Athletic Dept. (as far as I'm concerned, as well as the rest f the world.) The fact that America's very bright, non-Haredi students rioted in support of old JoePa, even though he did nothing to stop the violation of young children, also gets no mention. NOT. ONE. WORD. I guess he cares only about Jewish children being abused. Gentiles mean nothing to him. They can all go to hell, huh? Are they not G-d's children, Scotty? Imagine, just imagine if we would do that, support a Rosh Yeshiva who was fired because he did nothing by rioting and flipping over cars. I've been very patient, Mr. Rosenberg. I shall wait no longer.Well, I dissent. I don't think Shamrya is an embarrassment to his people. I think he's a national treasure. The corrupt, thieving, phonies who are daily described on the pages of Failed Messiah are the Jewish embarrassment.
You are nothing but a two-bit hypocrite, liar, ingrate - yes, ingrate, and worse.
And most of all, you're an embarrassment to your people.
Tzeig's line of reasoning seems to be that Shamrya shouldn't report about Jewish scoundrels unless he also reports about every other type if scoundrel. But is that really fair? Shmarya is a one-man show. He has to specialize. He can't be expected to comment on every scandal, and because his time is limited he shouldn't comment when he has nothing new to add. The Penn State scandal has been covered ten different ways from Tuesday. Nearly two weeks later, Google News returns over 4100 results. What might Shmarya say that hasn't already been said? Why spend time rehashing a scandal that's been properly covered, when he could instead spend time investigating the scandals that no one is covering?
In his comments, Tzeig suggests that Shmarya doesn't care about protecting children, rather Failed Messiah's real motive is "to make Jews look bad." [Reminds me of Avi Safran c:2007] I'd counter that its the Jews who are making themselves look bad. Its the old story of blaming the messenger for his message. In any event, why are Shmarya's motives relevant? Why is he being judged based on some biased and speculative guess as to what his motives might be, rather than on his actual accomplishments? Let's say Shmarya really does hate Jews. Let's stipulate that he brought his blog into existence for the sake of embarrassing them. So? He still runs his blog responsibly, he still demonstrates journalistic integrity, and he still gets credit for the scoops he's uncovered and the reporting he's posted, scoops and reporting that have made it harder for Jewish criminals to escape justice, and harder for organizations like Agudah to continue pretending that hemlines are the biggest problem facing klal yisroel. Its only after our communal problems have been publicized by bloggers like Shmarya, that the work of solving them can begin. This is why the J-blogosphere matters.
It may disturb Tzeig that Shmarya has, in the style of an Old Testament prophet, chosen to focus on Orthodox Jewish malfeasance, but it bothers me that such a focus is possible. If Jews were as great as we say we are, Shmarya would be out of business. If you want Shmarya to go away, fix the problems. its as simple as that. Silencing Shmarya so that we can continue keeping our heads in the sand is dishonest and counterproductive
[This is a response to one post. It is not a commentary on Tzeig's blog, as a whole, or his blogging career. I do not read Circus Tent, and have no knowledge of Tzeig's overall style or his opinions on other matters.]
[Update Shmarya posted on Penn State yesterday, three days after Tzeigs complaint, but his take was: "What can Haredim learn from it?"]
Search for more information about Failed Messiah at 4torah.com
Friday, November 11, 2011
Yeshivas Penn State
Think you've seen a child molester? According to Agudas Yisroel, you're required only to report your discovery to a rabbi, who will decide on your behalf if what you saw should be brought to the attention of the police. Officials at Penn State, we've recently learned, followed Agudah's advice to perfection.
 |
| Surrounded by some talmidim |
When Mike McQueary caught Coach Jerry Sandusky raping a 10-year old in the team showers, he should have intervened. But instead of overpowering Sandusky and rescuing his victim, McQeary went home and made an appointment to see his rebbe, the head coach Joe Paterno. Though Paterno carries great stature at Penn State, he's not the community godol. That role belongs to the University president and a few days later Paterno reported what McQeary had seen to two of the president 's gabbaim: Tim Curley and Greg Schultz. Schultz, in turn, notified university president Graham Spanier.
After what I presume must have been deep deliberations the hanhala at Penn State decided that the matter did not reach the level of raglayim l'davar and Sandusky was not reported to the police. Though the record of those deliberations have not been made public, its seems logical to assume that the gedolai Penn State took meta-halachic considerations into account and decided that though Sandusky had been caught red-handed, dealing with the crime internally was preferable to causing a chilul Penn State.
Could the same thing happen in a Yeshiva? Absolutely. Its easy to imagine the directors of Jewish schools, and the leaders of Jewish communities behaving precisely in the same way that their counterparts at Penn State behaved. Jewish officials worry about money, glory and reputation just like University officials. In fact, we've already has a similar case in our community. At Torah Temimah a school president put his institution's reputation ahead of his responsibilities to child safety and allowed a child molester several decades of uninterrupted access to children. We now know Graham Spanier did the same thing for Jerry Sandusky, on what I must presume were similar grounds.
The difference, Agudah apologists will be quick to point out, is that Grahman Spanier is not a Torah scholar. Though he made a serious error, the apologists insist that no Torah scholar could do the same. By definition, anything a Torah scholar decides to do is the right thing to do. If McQueary had gone to a rebbe, instead of a head coach, he'd have received infallible advice.
Unfortunately, there is nothing in their record to suggest that gedolim are equipped to hand out such infallible advice.They are are men, not angles, and men make mistakes. Such mistakes have already been made, as Kolko's victims will unfortunately attest, and they will continue to happen so long as we continue to behave like Penn State and put the glory of our schools and community ahead of the safety of our children. This is what Agudah is asking us to do when the organization tells us to delay reporting molesters to authorities until after a rabbinic review. Though Agudah insists that the delay is required only to ensure that the case meet the halachic status of raglayim l'davar the reality is that men, being men, will also evaluate meta-halachic concerns such as how the case affects things like cash flow and reputations. They should not be given that opportunity.
PS: Maaminim at Penn State reacted to the news the Paterno had been fired by rioting. Sound familiar? Superstitious faiths all produce the same pathologies.
Search for more information about Kolko at 4torah.com
After what I presume must have been deep deliberations the hanhala at Penn State decided that the matter did not reach the level of raglayim l'davar and Sandusky was not reported to the police. Though the record of those deliberations have not been made public, its seems logical to assume that the gedolai Penn State took meta-halachic considerations into account and decided that though Sandusky had been caught red-handed, dealing with the crime internally was preferable to causing a chilul Penn State.
Could the same thing happen in a Yeshiva? Absolutely. Its easy to imagine the directors of Jewish schools, and the leaders of Jewish communities behaving precisely in the same way that their counterparts at Penn State behaved. Jewish officials worry about money, glory and reputation just like University officials. In fact, we've already has a similar case in our community. At Torah Temimah a school president put his institution's reputation ahead of his responsibilities to child safety and allowed a child molester several decades of uninterrupted access to children. We now know Graham Spanier did the same thing for Jerry Sandusky, on what I must presume were similar grounds.
The difference, Agudah apologists will be quick to point out, is that Grahman Spanier is not a Torah scholar. Though he made a serious error, the apologists insist that no Torah scholar could do the same. By definition, anything a Torah scholar decides to do is the right thing to do. If McQueary had gone to a rebbe, instead of a head coach, he'd have received infallible advice.
Unfortunately, there is nothing in their record to suggest that gedolim are equipped to hand out such infallible advice.They are are men, not angles, and men make mistakes. Such mistakes have already been made, as Kolko's victims will unfortunately attest, and they will continue to happen so long as we continue to behave like Penn State and put the glory of our schools and community ahead of the safety of our children. This is what Agudah is asking us to do when the organization tells us to delay reporting molesters to authorities until after a rabbinic review. Though Agudah insists that the delay is required only to ensure that the case meet the halachic status of raglayim l'davar the reality is that men, being men, will also evaluate meta-halachic concerns such as how the case affects things like cash flow and reputations. They should not be given that opportunity.
PS: Maaminim at Penn State reacted to the news the Paterno had been fired by rioting. Sound familiar? Superstitious faiths all produce the same pathologies.
Search for more information about Kolko at 4torah.com
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Change in response to tragedy
A guest post by BerelShain
This week, the New York area saw 3 horribly tragic deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents. In Monsey, 9 year-old Moshe Grubman lost his life when he was struck by a van as he was running towards his school bus. The Flatbush community was devastated by the deaths of Dani King and Eli Schonbrun when the vehicle they were traveling in rolled down an embankment as they headed back to their yeshiva in Waterbury Connecticut. Investigations in both cases are ongoing and the speculative conjecture of bloggers and posters notwithstanding, determinations as to the causes of the accident and mechanisms of death have not yet been made. Ultimately, professional accident reconstructionists will reach their conclusions.
In response to these tragedies, many well-meaning folks have made all sorts of suggestions as to how the community should react - shmiras halashon hour, tehilim, increase tzedaka, improve our concentration during davening, etc. I find these suggestions upsetting. While improving our spirituality is always commendable, I would have hoped that the community would have been more practical in its response.
This past summer, our community endured the unspeakable horror of the Leiby Kletzky story. Immediately after the murder, people took practical steps. Video and audio presentations by educators and professionals were widely disseminated and everyone that I know had talks with their children about safety, strangers and the like. Although by all indications it appears that the Kletzkys properly prepared Leiby for his first taste of independence, the community still took the event as a wake-up call to take measures and have discussions that were sorely needed. Nobody took those steps as criticism of Leiby's parents as well nobody should have. Rather, the horrific incident was the catalyst for the community to take practical steps to prevent future tragedies, even if the Kletzky tragedy itself may not have been prevented by those steps. Unfortunately, the fatalities of this week elicited no such reaction.
In my view, in addition to any religious improvements we may choose to accept upon ourselves, it is imperative that we follow our own example from the Kletzky case and take practical steps to improve our safety. An informal poll among my friends revealed that many people admit to texting, tweeting and emailing while driving, failing to use seat belts especially for back seat passengers, driving while tired and so on. Changing these lethal habits is as important as any ruhcniyusdikeh kabbala if we wish to avoid future horrors. Therefore, in response to the events of this past week, I'd like to suggest that each of us accept one or more of the following:
Tragic circumstances such as those witnessed this week should serve as a wake up call to all of us. Improving in areas of bein adam lamakom is always a worthy endeavor. However, practical everyday changes must also be undertaken - especially when they may well save lives.
This week, the New York area saw 3 horribly tragic deaths as a result of motor vehicle accidents. In Monsey, 9 year-old Moshe Grubman lost his life when he was struck by a van as he was running towards his school bus. The Flatbush community was devastated by the deaths of Dani King and Eli Schonbrun when the vehicle they were traveling in rolled down an embankment as they headed back to their yeshiva in Waterbury Connecticut. Investigations in both cases are ongoing and the speculative conjecture of bloggers and posters notwithstanding, determinations as to the causes of the accident and mechanisms of death have not yet been made. Ultimately, professional accident reconstructionists will reach their conclusions.
In response to these tragedies, many well-meaning folks have made all sorts of suggestions as to how the community should react - shmiras halashon hour, tehilim, increase tzedaka, improve our concentration during davening, etc. I find these suggestions upsetting. While improving our spirituality is always commendable, I would have hoped that the community would have been more practical in its response.
This past summer, our community endured the unspeakable horror of the Leiby Kletzky story. Immediately after the murder, people took practical steps. Video and audio presentations by educators and professionals were widely disseminated and everyone that I know had talks with their children about safety, strangers and the like. Although by all indications it appears that the Kletzkys properly prepared Leiby for his first taste of independence, the community still took the event as a wake-up call to take measures and have discussions that were sorely needed. Nobody took those steps as criticism of Leiby's parents as well nobody should have. Rather, the horrific incident was the catalyst for the community to take practical steps to prevent future tragedies, even if the Kletzky tragedy itself may not have been prevented by those steps. Unfortunately, the fatalities of this week elicited no such reaction.
In my view, in addition to any religious improvements we may choose to accept upon ourselves, it is imperative that we follow our own example from the Kletzky case and take practical steps to improve our safety. An informal poll among my friends revealed that many people admit to texting, tweeting and emailing while driving, failing to use seat belts especially for back seat passengers, driving while tired and so on. Changing these lethal habits is as important as any ruhcniyusdikeh kabbala if we wish to avoid future horrors. Therefore, in response to the events of this past week, I'd like to suggest that each of us accept one or more of the following:
- No use of the hands for anything other than the steering wheel while driving - no texting, tweeting, emailing, talking etc.
- Never pass a school bus even if all children are entering the bus from the opposite side of the bus.
- No vehicle should EVER be in motion unless ALL passengers are properly belted.
- If a driver suspects that (s)he is too tired to drive, (s)he will not drive.
- Absolutely no alcohol will be consumed prior to getting behind the wheel - not even a sip of wine.
- The next "tzedaka" check you write will be to purchase a hands-free device if you don't already own one.
- Vehicle owners will regularly inspect their tires to ensure that they are safe for continued use.
Tragic circumstances such as those witnessed this week should serve as a wake up call to all of us. Improving in areas of bein adam lamakom is always a worthy endeavor. However, practical everyday changes must also be undertaken - especially when they may well save lives.
Perry is finished
At the debate last night, Rick Perry forgets the top line, #1 bold face detail of his own plan.
Afterwards he appeared in the spin room with what Slate called a hideous talking point: “I may have forgotten Energy, but I haven’t forgotten my conservative principles.” Ye gods.
Afterwards he appeared in the spin room with what Slate called a hideous talking point: “I may have forgotten Energy, but I haven’t forgotten my conservative principles.” Ye gods.
So, I see apple throwing is a very rebish behavior
In Sans Klausenberg, Hasidim demonstrate the table manners for which they are justifiably famous.
See them struggle like teenagers at a Beetles concert to grab at apples that have been tossed by their revered and sainted leader.
And here we see the same ritual performed at Purim by the Rachmastrivka Rebbe:
And in Belz:
And here we see the same ritual performed at Purim by the Rachmastrivka Rebbe:
And in Belz:
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Belzer Baseball
I suppose dipping those apples in some honey was just too much trouble.
Related:
The Niklesburg rebbe shoots arrows at his Hasidim
Jewish Wedding Video
I confess to being unable to catch what the speaker is saying through her mumbley brit accent, nor do I quite understand how the three people standing between the bride and groom are related, but doesn't the video make for an interesting slice of Jewish life?
Three about Israel in Slate
Slate, this week, published three excerpts from Gershon Gorenberg's new book The Unmaking of Israel.
My favorite is the one that describes how Israeli style Ultra-Orthodoxy is something new, rather than something "authentic."
My favorite is the one that describes how Israeli style Ultra-Orthodoxy is something new, rather than something "authentic."
See them all after the jump
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Harav Finkel: Then and Now
Here's the side matter that accompanied this picture:
This is what I mean by inspirational. Rav Nosson Tzvi was a regular American boy who came to learn at the Mir after spending his childhood in Chicago. He became the Rosh Yeshiva of the largest Yeshiva in the WORLD, with over 6000 students. The Rosh Yeshiva is the epitome of a role model for everyone on how to aspire to greatness, even with the most distressing physical limitations. He NEVER missed a Shachris at the Yeshiva! His 68 short years on Earth impacted hundreds of thousands of people. And he wasn't a Gaon at age 5. He was an "ordinary" bochur who became an extraordinary Rosh Yeshiva. Believe in yourself! Gedolim are made, not born
The yearbook shot was published on S's blog last year.
Notes:
- He was class president. So the leadership skills appeared early.
- He played baseball. I wonder if he ever missed it, or thought it might be nice if his students could play, too.
- The aphorism he chose is perfect for someone who went from a modest start to lead the biggest yeshiva in the world. It's from a poem by Tennyson that says character trumps yichus. Here it is in full:
From you blue heavens above us bent, The gardener Adam and his wife
Smile at the claims of long descent. Howe’er it be, it seems to me
‘Tis only noble to be good. Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.-
This isn't the Torah way
As if any were needed, here's yet more proof that 21st century morality is on the decline:
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Joe Paterno’s tenure as coach of the Penn State football team will soon be over, perhaps within days or weeks, in the wake of a sex-abuse scandal that has implicated university officials, according to two people briefed on conversations among the university’s top officials.In the good old days, when everything was morally superior, Paterno would have survived this scandal. Thank God, within the bastions of the Torah fortress people who are complicit in the monstrous abuse of children are still protected from the consequences of their errors.
More of Menken's Mendacity
Like you, we've often wondered why responsible people don't speak out against Kupat Hair and other organizations that promise miracles to those who make charitable contributions. Yaakov Menken, writing at Cross Currents, has the obvious answer:
So what are we responsible people supposed to do? Nothing of course. Until the gedolim come out against the flim-flam artists, we should just sit quietly, say nothing, and continue to allow these dishonest people to publish their snake oil promises in respectable magazines. After all lots of "great work" is being done, and in Judaism the goal always justifies the means.
/snark
HT Baruch Pelta
It is my impression that the Tzedakah itself does great work, the Gedolim give it much deserved haskamos, and given that they neither see nor can read the English-language ads produced here in America, are not speaking out against them.This makes perfect sense. After all, we have no English-speaking gedolim. Indeed there is no one in the entire world who is capable of translating into Hebrew the bogus and fraudulent promises made by these organizations. Should some Hebrew-speaking zealot bring the ads to the gedolim, and provide a loose and misleading summary? Maybe, but now that Leib Pinter is in jail, who is available to do such a thing? Anyway, as Rabbi Nosson Slifkin and Rabbi Nathan Kamenetsky might explain, it is entirely inappropriate for the gedolim to object to a piece of writing they can't examine in its original language.
So what are we responsible people supposed to do? Nothing of course. Until the gedolim come out against the flim-flam artists, we should just sit quietly, say nothing, and continue to allow these dishonest people to publish their snake oil promises in respectable magazines. After all lots of "great work" is being done, and in Judaism the goal always justifies the means.
/snark
HT Baruch Pelta
Monday, November 07, 2011
Some Sforno on Vayerah (or places where he disagrees with our first grade teachers)
Long time readers know I enjoy finding and sharing non-traditional bible readings, and I especially like it when the non-traditional reading is produced by a classic commentator. Recently, I've begun re-acquainting myself with Ovadia Sforno's commentary on the Pentateuch. The Sforno (as he is known) has a reputation for such non-traditional* readings, and so far I've discovered an overabundance of examples.
I intend to share some of them with you each week. The first batch is after the jump.
[* Yes, I recognize the irony of calling his interpretations "non-traditional." I hope you do, too.]
I intend to share some of them with you each week. The first batch is after the jump.
[* Yes, I recognize the irony of calling his interpretations "non-traditional." I hope you do, too.]
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