I’ve owned the book Jewish Worship by Abraham Millgram for about a decade now, and cherish it as one of my most treasured discoveries. Although it is out of print, you can purchase a hard copy of it on Amazon. But I just stumbled across an online version of it that makes me soooo excited! Although not 100% of its 600+ pages are freely available, several chapters are. Here’s the link for anyone interested:
Yesterday brought to an end First Fruits of Zion’s Shabbat Shalom Shavuot Conference in Hudson, Wisconsin. Today, we are driving back towards Arkansas pondering the events, teachings and new relationships with which we are bringing back with us. Thinking back over the events of the conference, probably the most significant factor of the conference for our family was being a part of the Beth Immanuel community. Shabbat was exceptionally nice, with the ability to have several homes a park and a playground within walking distance from the shul. During the conference we were able to spend time at the homes of Justin Johnson and his family, as well as Brian Tebbitt and his family. It was hard to leave these good friends. In regard to other aspects of the Beth Immanuel community, it was both very encouraging and very depressing to see how advanced their community has become. It was encouraging to see what Hashem is doing, but yet disheartening at the same time to realize the wide chasm between where we are as a community in relationship to Beth Immanuel and the long journey that was still ahead of us.
The theme of conference this year was “Shabbat Shalom.” And although there were lectures on the topic of Shabbat, from my point of view it could have just as easily been called the “Pray In The Spirit Extended Remix” conference. It seemed the primary focus of the conference was prayer and the introduction of the highly anticipated siddur project. And for all those who are anxiously awaiting the new siddur, here’s the scoop:
We were hoping to bring back the Shabbat siddur, but it is still incomplete. In defense of First Fruits, the main reason this has not been completed is because of their deep understanding of their responsibility of creating a resource such as this with excellence. (They compared it to trying to edit Shakespeare without it being obvious – a great analogy. I will explain more about this later.) We were, however, able to experience the first fruits of their labor in draft form in our day to day services during the conference. I plan on sharing more on this later, but need to cover my bases as to what is “shareable” or not. Keep your eyes peeled for more info on this in the next few days…
I taught this past Shabbat at our first community Shabbat meeting in Central Arkansas. We plan on having these once a month. If are in the Central Arkansas area (or want to travel!) be sure to find out when our meetings are.
This is sort of repeat material, but a little different approach. If you haven’t discovered Hashem’s missing moed…well, your missing out!
Right-click (pc) or Control-click (mac!) to download:
For anyone who is interested, our congregation put together a version of the Ashrei in English sung to a Chassidic melody. In my opinion, it’s really nice. We chant it in our congregation and in our home during the appointed times of prayer.
Special thanks are due to both Sarah Croswell for putting together the initial draft of the English to the melody, and to my loving wife, Sabrina, for all of her hard work in helping me get the melody and creating the lyric sheet.
I’ve attached both the lyric sheet (which includes notes about how to remember the melody, including marking the downbeat) and an mp3 of yours truly demonstrating the melody. I hope you enjoy. (ps. I’ve got a few more things like this that will probably show up soon.)
Right-click (pc) or Control-click (mac!) to download: (links have been fixed!)
For a few weeks now, the topic of wisdom has been on my mind. I have a good friend whom I just started doing some “formal” mentoring (ie. meeting on a regular basis for this specific purpose), and one of his main goals in life is to attain wisdom. This is a very noble goal, and one that I know he will (and already has begun to) achieve.
It seems that wisdom is an often desired middah (character trait), yet few know the secret of attaining this seemingly elusive trait.
Last week, as I was praying the daily Amidah, it occurred to me that both the mainstream of Judaism and the Apostolic Writings agreed by way of Hashem’s attitude towards His dispensation of wisdom.
You graciously endow man with wisdom and teach insight to a frail mortal. Endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom, insight, and discernment. Blessed are You, Hashem, gracious Giver of wisdom.
(Daily Amidah)
This prayer makes use of the word “gracious” (from the Hebrew חן – chen) three times. It emphasizes that Hashem desires to freely give wisdom to all to ask. This, of course, corresponds to the words of Shlomo (Solomon) which state,
“I [wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” (Mishlei/Proverbs 8:17).
“She [wisdom] will set a garland of grace [חן] on your head and present you with a crown of splendor” (Mishlei/Proverbs 4:9).
Hashem desires to give us wisdom “graciously”—freely, without reservation. However, we must first pursue wisdom and solicit Hashem for this precious gift. Ja’acov (James), the brother of the Master, gives us explicit instructions for seeking wisdom which corresponds with both the prayer from the Amidah and the words of Proverbs, saying:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
(James 1:5-8)
If we seek wisdom, it is waiting to be received. But it doesn’t come uninvited. If wisdom has always been elusive, honestly ask Hashem for it and expect to receive it. No, you won’t wake up one morning and start spouting off the Pythagorean theorem1 like the Scarecrow on the Wizard of Oz (knowledge and wisdom are not synonymous). However, when that next difficult situation comes up, you will feel more confident in making the right decision with your newfound gift, graciously given by Hashem.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
(Mishlei/Proverbs 4:7)
