Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
“The Loaf of Idolatry?”
By Shelomo Alfassa
Shelomo Alfassa is a Judaic studies educator and author who focuses on history, rabbinics and talmud. He works at the Center for Jewish History in NYC
Introduction
Every year Jewish women, young and old, partake in an Ashkenazi[1] custom to place a key (such as a door key to a home), inside the dough of a loaf of bread that they bake.[2] This custom is known as shlissel challah—shlissel from the German language shlüssel (key) and challah or hallah from the Hebrew for bread.[3] While a metal key is often baked within the bread, some form the bread itself into the shape of a key or even arrange sesame seeds on top in the form of a key.[4] Often times, these women gather in celebratory groups with the common belief that baking the shlissel challah will bring blessing into their homes, and specifically, the blessing of increased fiscal livelihood. There is also a seemingly new ‘custom’ of baking shlissel challah in the “merit” of a sick person, as a way of helping them recover from physical disease or trauma.[5] A poll on the popular Orthodox Jewish website imamother.com asked participants: “How do you make your schlissel [sic] challah?”[6] The 88 respondants reported: In the shape of a key 13% [12]; With a key baked in it 61% [54]; Neither, I don't do this 17% [15]; Other 7% [7].
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Etz Chayim and the Conservative Movement
Upon recently attending the bat-mitzvah of one of my closer relatives, I had the unique opportunity to read through a number of commentaries offered by JTS in their most recent addition of the Etz Chayim Chumash. Additionally, I was able to analyze the essays printed in the appendix which attempt to explain the theological foundations of the movement. However, a number of inherently contradictory positions concerning the origins, role and importance of the written and oral law left me not only confused but restless for the remainder of that Shabbat.Enclosed is an article which analyzes the Conservative Movement's approach to P'shat, Drash and Halacha as stated in their publications and public announcements. From a purely intellectual standpoint, I found myself having been confused with the same inherently contradictory positions enumerated in the Conservative Movement's writings. While I did find this essay a unabashed in its critique of the Conservative movement's pillars of faith, I must agree that the degree of self-contradiction in Etz Chayim is baffling to all who take it seriously.
For the sake of convenience, I have taken the liberty of highlighting what I'd consider to be the main points of the article.
Article Link: Etz Chayim and the Conservative Movement
Thursday, March 8, 2012
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