Gender in the Talmud is beyond binary, and incorporates 8 gender designations, including male, female, androgynous, lacking sexual characteristics, identifying as a different identity from one’s birth identity. The rabbis recognized that 6 genders were neither male nor female, and that the first human was both.
Please listen to a beautiful rendition of Hashkiveinu by Cantor Elisa Waltzman
A tribute from Stephen Wise Temple for the people of Iran and all those seeking personal freedom
Cantor Rachel Goldman
Moses initially refused to lead the people because he thought that they would not listen. However, the reason they did not listen was not because of him, but because their spirit was broken and the labor was harsh. Maimonides emphasized that the Torah has two goals: the well-being of the soul and the well-being of the body. Both are required.
God makes 5 promises to the Israelites, but without asking anything in return. These came from divine grace; because an enslaved people couldn’t imagine freedom or social justice, so a liberated people would know their Source of Liberation to transcend human capacity.
Please check out this exciting teaching by Rabbi Mordecai Finley
Shemot, or the book of Exodus, begins “These are the names of the children of Israel,” or the children of Jacob who came out of Egypt, the opening words of parasha Shemot.
Under five-minute teaching regarding Exodus 4:1 (Torah Portion Shemot)
Rabbi Finley has come to think that Joseph had trouble understanding other people, either because of his personality or trauma. His father Jacob has “checked out”, much like his grandfather Isaac had “checked out”. Perhaps Joseph was better off growing up in Egypt, rather than at home. He did well for himself in Egypt…