Posts in TORAH
Shlach in Merchav Shabbat THIS SHABBAT!
Shlach in Merchav Shabbat THIS SHABBAT!

In Merchav Shabbat, our online Shabbat morning services on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays, we've been learning to chant trope for almost a whole year now. What that looks and sounds like is 9, 10, 11, and 12 year olds chanting Torah for us many weeks.

Now we’ve added a summary of the Torah portion and a d'var Torah that we read together.
NEXT week in July - by the request of our 8-13 year olds, our whole Torah service will expand a bit and we'll add more discussion of the Torah portion during our time together. More Torah, More Tines!
If you are joining Merchav Shabbat on Saturday, you might want to wait to read this - unless you want a preview! If you don’t have the link, please reach out to me!

Read More
TORAHAmy ArielMerchav Shabbat, Merchav, Torah, ShlachComment
Vayakhel: Every Letter, Every One
Vayakhel: Every Letter, Every One

I was invited by T’ruah (the rabbinic call for human rights) to write a d’var Torah for this week’s parsha for their weekly (M)oral Torah. Having an opportunity to write about any social justice issue, anything that keeps me up at night, I considered many possible themes from Vayekhel before I accepted that what I needed to write was personal.

Read More
TORAHAmy ArielVayakhel, Torah, T'ruahComment
The Priestly Blessing is a Math Problem by Evan Hymes
The Priestly Blessing is a Math Problem by Evan Hymes

I am so very honored to share a guest post!
My student Evan Hymes, a member of Mount Zion Temple, has given me permission to share his words of Torah on Naso, and quite honestly, I find them brilliant. He shared them yesterday on the bima at Mount Zion.
I’m thinking about God in new ways because of Evan, and you might, too.
He celebrated becoming bar mitzvah on May 27th, 2023, 7 Sivan 5783.
Mazel Tov & lots of love, Evan! You did it!

Read More
TORAHAmy ArielEvan Hymes, Naso, B'Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah Comment
When Elmer Died
When Elmer Died

The first thing you need to know is this: I do not know when Elmer died.
Well, that’s not entirely true.
I know he died in October.
Seven months ago.
And also before you know that you also need to know that this is a draft.
A first draft.
I am writing without a plan and anything could happen.

The second thing you need to know is that I found out that Elmer died on Wednesday.
Not “a” Wednesday.
Wednesday.
Two days ago.

Read More
TORAHAmy ArielElmer, Emor Comments
Tending Our Flames: Tetzaveh, Exodus 27:20 - 30:10
Tending Our Flames: Tetzaveh, Exodus 27:20 - 30:10

However we make sense of this, tending these lamps is our job. You see, it isn’t only Aaron and his descendants who are priests. Back in Exodus 19:5-6 we learn that we are to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. Elevating one another’s light? That’s up to us. So I want to invite us to read it this way: We are the lamps and we are the ones charged with tending them. It is not our job to create sparks of life. It is our job to nurture life sparks for one another so that each and all of our flames can rise. 

Read More
TORAHAmy ArielTetzaveh, 5783, 2023, ner tamid, eternal flame, Aaron, kingdom of priestsComment
Hakol Yiyeh Beseder
Hakol Yiyeh Beseder

It’s the 6th anniversary of my decision to wear a kippah all the time, and reflecting on that today has gotten me thinking. Tonight, the night after yesterday's election, feels really different for me than it once might have because November 9, 2016 has become my baseline.

Tonight, I feel pretty grounded and okay enough.
Better than I anticipated I might.

You?

Read More
TORAH, Jewish ValuesAmy ArielElection, 2016, November, Vote, Kippah, Hakol Yiyeh BesederComment
The Day They Overturned Roe
The Day They Overturned Roe

I doubt what I’m about to write is going to make anyone feel better.Let’s just be clear about that.

"We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled," Justice Alito wrote in the opinion Justices Clarence Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett all backed. "The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision. . . ."

Read More
TORAHAmy ArielAbortion, Roe, reproductive justice
Reaching Through the Smoke and Ash:
Reaching Through the Smoke and Ash:

Lonely, sits the city once great with people. She that was great among nations has become a widow. The princess among states has fallen under their power. She weeps bitterly. Her friends offer no comfort. Her allies have betrayed her. Empty of festival pilgrims, her gates are deserted. My eyes flow with tears.

Every year we chant these words on Tisha B’Av and are reminded that lament deserves our time. Pain will not be forgotten, but can be held. There is no just future without having an honest reckoning with our past.

Read More
Jewish Holidays, TORAHAmy ArielTisha B'Av, Convergence on Campus, Lament, EichaComment