RabbiO

My understanding from a member of Baha'i of my acquaintance is that, in his words, "Many of the original Writings of Bahá'í and 'Abdu'l-Bahá are written in very exalted and poetic Persian and Arabic and therefore a similar flavour should be attempted (emphasis added) in the language into which it is translated.... n translating the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh into English the [translator] has created a very beautiful and poetic style in English using many words which might be considered archaic and are reminiscent of the English used by the translators of the King James Version of the Bible. "

There is no greater tragedy than for a parent to lose a young son. Please remember Rev. Rainbow and his family in your prayers as they go through a time of unspeakable grief and pain.

I will not be doing a lot of posting on the forum over the next little bit. My cardiologist has determined that we need to do some tests. He tells me that he is not expecting any unpleasant surprises, but we need to do some tests. So --- we're going to do some tests. On a lighter note(?), this is the 6th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, the month that begins the period of introspection, of חשבון הנפש -cheshbon ha-nefesh -, an accounting of the soul, that leads into the High Holy Days and I have some responsibilities to myself and others during this period to occupy my time.

Let's just say we're going to have to agree to disagree on these.

Well, if it helps, I'm not.

Did something happen??

I am going on vacation - as much of a vacation as 10 days spending "quality" time with my mother-in-law can be. I realize that this isn't really a topic of any interest per se, but I will be without computer access during that time. I know that some here get a little nervous, given the sometimes unpredictable nature of my health, when I do not post for awhile. When I get back I will start to address, probably on the sermon thread, some of my concerns about some of the concerns expressed about G-d, morality, punishment etc. in Jewish scripture. I presume that the TOS allows me to be both defense counsel and a character witness for the accused. B'shalom, Peter

There may be some who refer to themselves as Messianic Jews on the forum. Off the top of my head I cannot tell you who. For myself, I am neither Messianic nor would I call myself a Jewish minister. I am a rabbi, having received סמיכה לרבנות at a rather advanced age. I welcome you to the forum.

Putting aside the odd arrangement, what does it mean to you?

Apparently today is National Lobster Day. I will not be celebrating the event. Any lobsters out there who want to thank me can send me a private message.

Do a little research on who MIchael Hoffman is and what he stands for before you decide to buy the book.

The beginning words of the first sentence of the 17th blessing contained in the Amidah. That first sentence in English is "Find favor, Adonai our G-d, in Your people Israel and their prayer." The underlined is that portion of the Hebrew that I provided. In the Hebrew found in prayer books the name of G-d, the tetragrammaton, is spelled out. I have abbreviated it, per custom with just "ה"

I presume you are referring to that section of the Amidah that begins רְצֵה ה' אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ which deals of course with the restoration of the Temple.

Roar? I think not. It's never been my style. Besides, remember the experience of Elijah. G-d was not in the wind, G-d was not in the earthquake nor in the fire, but after the fire in the hush of the moment - קול דממה דקה - the voice of a thin whisper. Nor is anger appropriate. Angry words tend to be said in haste and tend to be unnecessarily hurtful - ארך אפים רב־תבונה וקצר־רוח מרים אולת - one who is slow to anger has understanding, but the quick tempered only elevates foolishness. That's from Proverbs. I wish I could address the issues with the equivalent of pithy 30 second bites, but that can't be done. I need to gather my thoughts and work my way through them. It will take some time, but I will get through them. I think some of the positions taken are, at best, ill conceived, but it is my intent that as we go through we will still be -חברים - chaverim - friends.

It has been a great honor being named a compassionate mentor. Not wishing to sully that designation I have been silent, for the most part, while G-d has been vilified, Jewish scripture has been vilified, Jews have been vilified and more. Well, I guess I'm going to have return my secret decoder ring and mentor badge. If I, who have stood up in defense of other people, defense of their spiritual paths, defense of their rights no matter their sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, skin color or politics, will not stand up for myself, for my people, my scripture and my traditions, then I do not have the right to call myself or to present myself as a rabbi.

You really, really believe that??

Certainly I am not going to argue if a particular religion determines for itself that G-d is a proper name. It is true, however, that within Judaism, G-d is not a proper name. I like to refer to it as a job title. In Hebrew, of course, one doesn't have the option to capitalize "G-d" and not capitalize "gods" because Hebrew has no capital letters.

What Jacob actually says - according to the verse - is אכן יש ה' במקום הזה ואנכי לא ידעתי Surely YHWH is in this place and I I did not know it. There is no punctuation in the Torah and so the exact meaning of what Jacob says is open to interpretation. Depending on how you punctuate it, and depending, in part, how you read "anochi" which means "I", but also denotes "myself" you either have an emphasis of surprise that G-d is in this place or a perhaps more subtle meaning - "YHWH is in this place and myself [in me], I did not know it. Just food for thought.

Or Kurt Russell as "Snake" Plissken in Escape from New York and Escape from L.A.

Of course, Genesis 28:16 does not quite say that - and I am not referring to LORD in place of the tetragrammaton.

I would say something wise and pithy, but I have no clue on the appropriate leadership model for a church. There are just some things they don't cover in rabbinical school.

Now you tell me. The least you can do now is tell me how to get the strands off the gear shift.

שבועות The Festival of Weeks begins this Saturday night. The Festival of the First Fruits - חג הביכורים The Time to Celebrate the Giving of the Torah - זמן מתן תורתנו Happy Holiday חג שמח

Mazel Tov!

Welcome to the forum. As for your question, I really have no answer for you. I am not a minister. I am a rabbi. As a rabbi I am called to be יורה יורה כדת של תורה a true teacher of Jewish values, Jewish insights.