This Blog and Its Author
This is a Torah Blog. Hopefully I will be blogging my thoughts and comments on the Weekly Torah Portion (Parasha) here. I will also be commenting on other people’s Blogs on matter related to Torah, Tanakh, Faith, Judaism, Prayer, G-d etc.
My basic world view is Jewish – Non-Traditional Observant. To me Torah is both G-d’s Spoken Word and the Word of those who cared to listen. It’s not a History Book, nor a Law Book, it is not to be read literally – it is to be read in context of culture, socio-economic and religious ideas present when it was Created, by whom ever Created it.
This does not mean that we cannot derive guidance, comfort, inspiration and ethical direction from it – of course we can – after all that is what it was meant as at its inception. Rather than dismiss the parts we do not understand as rubbish, which many do – and I respect that – I believe we should approach the text from an angle of “Why do I not understand this? What are the pieces I am missing from the puzzle?”
Baruch Sienna of Kolel.org once said: “Perhaps the hard parts in Torah were put there to teach us how NOT to act, rather than as something condoning f.i mindless slaughter.” and “There are no right or wrong interpretations of Torah, there are only more or less probable.”
“Is not My word like a hammer that breaks a rock? (Jer 23:29)
As the hammer causes numerous sparks to flash forth, so is a scripture verse capable of many interpretations. (including mine!) B. Sanhedrin 34a” (nicked it from “no mechitza in my world“)
The Sages teach us that Torah and expositions on Torah have to make sense – they have to be logical, and if we do not find that Logic right away, we need to keep looking until we find an understanding of the text that makes sense without violating the fundamentals of Torah.
The fundamentals of Torah was expressed by Rabbi Hillel thus: “That which you abhor, do not do to others, that is the Law and the Prophets, the rest is Commentary – now, go and learn!”
I hope you like this Blog
Shana Tobesman said
Shalom
People of all ages enjoy stories more than any other form of entertainment. They laugh, cry, smile, and sigh as they enjoy age-old lessons and tales of communities throughout the world. They can travel through time with but a whisper.
Jewish storytellers (also known as maggidim) traveled from community to community to strengthen the heart and soul of Jewish people. The stories told of greatness, nobility, and wisdom while at the same time raising the hopes for a better tomorrow.
One such traveling Jewish storyteller (maggid) is Rachmiel Tobesman who has shared and taught Jewish people from childhood through the golden years in many areas of the United States. He has been invited to teach educators and community leaders how to use the power of storytelling to improve the quality of services to people of all faiths. As a traditional Jewish storyteller, maggid, Rachmiel Tobesman touches the heart and souls with stories long forgotten.
This maggid shares stories that contain wondrous, lofty, and healing messages that each person understands in their own way. the stories told by this maggid will arouse the heart and elevate spirituality so one can see the holy Sparks in every day deeds. If a person looks at the maggid and his stories with an open mind and heart, they will understand their messages and begin the process of healing on their spiritual journey.
The plain, simple meaning of the maggid’s stories strongly motivate a person toward Hashem. All the stories consist of mysteries, wonder, beauty, honor and spirituality, aside from their secret meanings, they have a great power to uplift everyone and help them on their spiritual journey