Comments on: Streaming Shabbat Service #7 from our Virtual Synagogue

By: LGreyhawke

LGreyhawke — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:16:06 +0000

I agree that the binding of Isaac is not the best choice for Rosh Hashannah. I will gladly teach my grandkids the traditional stories and contemporary interpretations of the lessons to be learned. However, how could I say, “It’s a new year and a new chance for you to learn to be obedient and don’t question authority. You don’t need to think for your self. It’s already been done for you. Just stay in the lines and do what you’re told. G-d will tell you what to do.” NEVER. I would NEVER relay that lesson to anyone I love. Therefore, a more appropriate story should be found and I’m thrilled Rabbi Baum and Rabbi Barr have done just that. Perhaps the story was orginally chosen to reflect “Yom ha-Din” the day of judgement. It seems to fit appropriately there.

By: Rabbi Baum

Rabbi Baum — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:22:07 +0000

Jamie, I think you ask some great questions. I would love to write more about it, but it will have to wait until after the High Holidays. For now, I would just say that it is important to teach children the legends of Judaism – and to acknowledge that they are MYTHS. They are wonderful stories that give us a glimpse into our ancestors’ lives. In reading them, we are connected to other Jews around the world and across history. And yet, they are stories… myths… legends. We should never teach children anything we will have to unteach them later. We expose them to Judaism – honestly and authentically.

By: Cherie

Cherie — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 04:36:06 +0000

In response to Jamie’s post about the 10 plagues and that G-d would not make innocent people suffer just because they have a bad leader, it seems to me that innocent people suffer from bad leaders even in modern times as well as biblical times. Once again the bible reflects how it really is in the world in spite of our aversion to it. The bible says (somewhere) “The innocent shall suffer with the guilty.” So, then what can Jamie tell her 3 year old about this seeming injustice from the hand of G-d? This is an ageless dilemna, but the truth is that bad things happen to good people and sometimes it seems to be ordained so by G-d. Is G-d a just G-d? We cannot understand the doings of G-d, although we try to make sense of it for our children’s sake and for our sake as well.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 21:00:58 +0000

I really enjoyed watching this. Some thoughts I have…It seems that much of the canonized tradition doesn’t reflect 21st century values. For example, 10 plagues is an important part of the retelling of the Passover story, but it really bothered me this year, because I don’t like the idea that God would make innocent people suffer because their country has a bad leader. Should I skip the 10 plagues next year or replace it with something else? Is it included in your Haggadah? As Rabbi Baum mentioned in the Shabbat service , there is so much more in our tradition that DOES reflect our values. Yes, I agree that there are better stories to read on Rosh Hashanah other than the Binding of Issac — I look forward to hearing the alternative you’ve chosen. But I wonder what to do in general about those aspects of the “basic” tradition that doesn’t reflect my values (or seem appropriate for my 3 year old!) But I want my child to know about her tradition. How can she be an educated Jew if she doesn’t know about the 10 plagues?