Search Results for: shavuot
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Omer
I usually don’t express my Karaite state of mind publicly, but I am generally worried about the survival of the movement and its philosophy. As you can imagine, we have a massive demographic disadvantage, and despite the fact that the … Continue reading
Filed under Calendar, Counting of the Omer, Rotem Cohen, Shavuot
Why is this Karaite Writing about the Shofar on “Rosh Hashana”?
I really wanted to hate this song. And I really wanted to be frustrated at the Israeli Karaites who published it. These are not ideal qualities; I know. But once I took a deep breath, I realized that the song … Continue reading
Filed under Mordecai Ben Nisan, poetry, Rosh Hashanah, Shofar, terua, Yom Teruah
Reader Poll: Can You Detect a Crimean Karaite Melody?
I know. I know. It’s not even Shavuot and here I am talking about lamentations for the month of Av. But I can’t stop listening to these snippets I received from Hazzan Rotem Cohen. He recorded the introductory words of … Continue reading
Filed under Aaron ben Joseph, Av, Mourning, Nir Nissim, Rotem Cohen, The Temple
That Time I Walked out of a Rabbanite Congregation
What started out as a beautiful Shabbat evening with community and discussion devolved quickly – and mostly privately. First the orthodox rabbi made a mistake. Then I made two. Then the rabbi intended to offend me. He failed, but it … Continue reading
Filed under Counting of the Omer, Shavuot
That Time I Cursed The Karaites in front of a High School Class
Oy. Where to begin. Just over a month ago, I spoke at a Jewish high school about issues in Karaite Judaism – particularly as they implicate Shabbat and technology. Speaking with me was a conservative rabbi who happened to grow up at … Continue reading
Filed under Artscroll, Fire, Israel Maghribi, Shabbat, Shabbat Candles
The Shofar and the New Moon: Solving a Karaite Quandary (Reader Poll)
I finally did it. For almost 20 years I have been thinking about how to reconcile Psalms 81 which specifically says to blow the Shofar on new moon with the traditional Karaite view that there is no commandment to blow … Continue reading
Filed under New Moon, Rosh Chodesh, Rosh Hashanah, Shofar, Yefet ben 'Ali, Yom Teruah
Reader Poll: Does God’s Mercy Extend to the Bird’s Nest?
Today we ask two simple questions: Does God’s mercy extend to the bird’s nest? And if so, can we acknowledge this in prayer? Right away, my observant (and studied) Rabbanite readers know exactly where this is going. For everyone else, … Continue reading
