Month: September 2017

September 29, 2017 Messages Post a Comment

Yom Kippur – prayer as a central element of the day

Dear Bat Kol alums and friends, 

 

I just spent a moving hour listening to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Understanding Prayer: The soul’s language (10/10)—a series of 10 short reflections, accompanied with song and artistic designs, related to Yom Kippur,  the holiest day of the year for our Jewish brothers and sisters.  As I listened and entered into the spirit of the festival I had a strong urge to share it with you. Here is the link.  

 

http://rabbisacks.org/prayer/

 

I close with a Jewish greeting for this High Holy Day: 

 

“Gemar chatimah tovah” (גמר חתימה טובה) — may you be sealed for a good year.

 

Maureena

————-

 

Prof. Maureena Fritz, NDS. B.A., B.Ed., M.A., Ph.D.

Professor Emerita, USMC, U of T, Toronto

Academic & Administrative Director

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies

Jerusalem, Israel

E-mail: maureena@batkol.info

 

September 26, 2017 Sunday Commentary Post a Comment

The 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sunday Gospel and Reading Commentary

The 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

1st of October , 2017

Lectionary readings: Ez.18:25-28, Ps.125, Phil.2:1-11, Mt.21:28-32

 

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The incident and teaching of Jesus in today’s Gospel follows his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his going into the Temple where he drove out the sellers and stated, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” (21:13).  The chief priests and scribes were angered by his action and asked Jesus “By what authority are you doing these things?” (21: 23).  At this point Jesus confronted them with a wager, “I will ask you a question. If you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.” (21:24)

 

Confronted with the question, “Did the Baptism of John come from heaven?” (21:25) they were fearful to answer and admitted, “We do not know!” (21:27).  It is at this point that Jesus told them a parable. These short stories were an integral part of his teaching because they concluded with the listener being confronted with a different way of looking at the situation. We can think of the story when Nathan told a parable to David and concluded with the words, “You are the man!” (2 Sam 22:1).  At this point, David clearly saw his actions in a new and truer light.

 

 The parable Jesus tells was of a father asking his two sons to go out and work in the vineyard. They are not identified as ‘elder’ and ‘younger’ but we might infer that the father spoke first to the elder. The first son responded disrespectfully saying, “I will not,” but later changed his mind and went, while the second son answered positively but failed to go. Jesus then posed the question to them, “Which of the two did the will of the father?” The chief priests and scribes answered, “The first.” (21:31)

 

 We know that both had the same father which signifies that God is a common father to all humankind. The command to go out and work in the vineyard is given to all. One son did better than he said, his answer was not good but his actions were. Ultimately it is the one who does the will of the father who is esteemed by Jesus.  

 

It was often the lowly and the outcasts who gathered around John the Baptist and these were seen by many as being unworthy and having little understanding. “Then Jerusalem was going out to him and all of Judea and the district around the Jordan; they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river as they confessed their sins.” (Mt. 3:5) The Jewish leaders had gone out to hear the preaching of John and did not respond positively to his teaching.

 

In the life of a disciple, one enters into a commitment of faith through Baptism. This commitment is of no benefit unless the person is prepared to fulfill that commitment.  “An authentic relationship of faith asks for our complete and consistent response to God’s will both in what we profess and in how we live.” (Mueggenborg 290)

 

John’s message was to repent, to undergo a metanoia. This is essential in the life of a disciple so that Jesus can change our hearts and our thinking. We need to let go of our ego, to perceive the compassionate words and actions of Jesus and to set our priorities in line with his teachings. Since actions speak much louder than words, we need to ask ourselves the question – what faith are we professing by the lives we live? What is the creed of our life that speaks to others of our faith?

 

For Reflection and Discussion: [1] What do we need to better fulfill our commitments of faith? [2] Do the good examples of others help us to learn and to respond better? [3] Am I a good example of the faith I profess?

Bibliography: W.R.Farmer, The International Biblical Commentary, (Collegeville,1998) D.H Mueggenborg, Come Follow Me, ( United Kingdom, 2016)

 

This week’s teaching commentary was prepared by

Rita Kammermayer, nds, BA, B.Ed, Masters of Pastoral Studies, Jerusalem, Israel

Bat Kol alumni 2001

ritakammermayer@netscape.net

[Copyright © 2017]

 

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PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Gospel commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Sunday Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol.  Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome

………………………………………………………………

 

~~1983-2017~~

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

Website: www.batkol.info;  gill@batkol.info

Parashah Commentary Post a Comment

Yom Kippur

Shabbat Table Talk

Parashat Yom Kippur 30th September2017

Week of 24 September – 30 September

Torah portion: Lev.16:1-34; Num.29:7-11;    Haftarah: Isa.57:14-58:14

 

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Recently while reading through the Torah, I have been struck yet again by how particular are its descriptions on some aspects of Jewish ritual life. Today’s parashah is one such example. I would like to challenge you to read through Leviticus 16:1-34 as a person who is personally instructed to carry out these ceremonies and holy practices. Does it not sound like you might be able to perform the rites necessary for this holy day by just following these instructions?

 

The Torah was written for everybody in Israel; it means that they all had to know what the priests were supposed to do! The priests did not have some special secret knowledge, there were no mysterious rituals that only the select would know. No, everybody in Israel is a priest in the sense that they know exactly what God is expecting to happen on each occasion. And even more so on the day that is one of the highlights of the year: Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.

 

“You shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation,” God says in Ex.19:6. The Israelite nation is priests and the priests are the nation. This identification between the nation and the priests is well illustrated in today’s parashah. The beginning of Lev.16 describes the reason why the ceremonies and practices on the Day of Atonement were introduced in the first place. The Lord commanded them after two priests, two sons of Aaron approached God without proper reverence, “they drew near before the Lord, and died”. (Lev.16:1) It a warning for all the people of Israel: if you do not take seriously your approach to God, you will end up like those two priests: dead. It is that serious.

 

As priests Israel has to follow the prescriptions in the temple and there are many of those for the Day of Atonement. But as a holy nation they should do more than that: they should support each other and care for each other just as God cares for them. Today’s haftarah is very emphatic about this point. It urges not to stop at the ritual and Israel’s care to perform it flawlessly. One should care just as much about how to approach the fellow human being. Thus, in Isaiah’s text for today God asks of his people to loose the bonds of wickedness, lift the yoke, let the oppressed go free, share bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into their house, cover the naked. (Isa.58:6-7) Only when we approach God and a fellow human person, particularly the one in difficulty, with reverence will we have performed the perfect atonement on Yom Kippur.

 

For Reflection and Discussion: [1] Walk with Aaron the high priest through all the rites he has to perform on the Day of Atonement! [2] What does it mean for you to approach God properly? [3] What does the haftarah teaches us about approaching God?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week’s teaching commentary was prepared by

Rota Stone, Bat Kol Alumna, 2002 & 2003

Email: rotina@runbox.com

[Copyright © 2017]

 

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PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Parashah commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol. The commentaries, along with all materials published on the Bat Kol website, are copyrighted by the writers, and are made available for personal and group study, and local church purposes. Permission needed for other purposes. Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome.

…………………………………………………………

 

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

1983-2017

“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

Website: www.batkol.info; Commentary Admin: gill@batkol.info

September 21, 2017 Messages Post a Comment

Shana tova!

Dear Friends,

Shalom,

 

The Jewish people commemorates today Rosh HaShana This Feast celebrates creation, the birthday of the universe when God created Adam and Eve and for this reason it is the head of the year, the new year of 5778 since creation.

 

As Rosh HaShana takes places during two days, we would like to invite you to join the Jewish community in prayer and joy by reading and reflecting on the texts that are used by the people of Israel:

 

Day one (21/ 09/ 2017):  Genesis 21: 1 – 34. On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Torah reading focuses on Patriarch Isaac’s birth.

 

Day Two (22/ 09/ 2017: Genesis 22: 1 – 24. The Torah reading for the second day of Rosh Hashanah discusses the Binding of Isaac.

 

שנה טובה, מתוקה ומברכת.

Shana Tova, metuca umevarechet.

A good, sweet and blessed year.

 

Tiago, NDS.

Vice – Director

Bat Kol Institute

 

NB: Head= רוש- Rosh;

The= ה- Ha; Year= שנה- Shana:

The head of the year.

September 19, 2017 Sunday Commentary Post a Comment

The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (24 September 2017)

Is 55:6-9; Ps 145; Phil 1:20-24; Mt 20:1-16

Theme: The lord is good to all

 

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In her sermon on this Sunday’s gospel, called “Beginning at the End,” Barbara Brown Taylor compares the laborers waiting for work to her childhood memories of standing in line on hot Saturday afternoons waiting for the movie theatre to open.  To be at the head of the line was best, as you could witness the drama of the door being opened and feel the wonderful coolness of the air-conditioned air as it surged forth.   If the manager had decided to let the people at the end of the line in first –  people who hadn’t even been waiting long enough to get hot! – the  first in line would have been highly indignant – and the people at the end amazed and overjoyed.  

 

It’s a wonderful sermon, and coming to the gospel text after reading it, it’s a surprise to find that nothing is said there about the reaction of the latecomers to having a full day’s wages pressed into their hands. It would be natural to assume that they would be very pleased to go home to their families with the money, after a long day of wondering if they would earn anything at all – but we are not told that.  What we are told is how the workers hired at the beginning of the day reacted and how the householder responded.  This is what matters to Matthew.

 

How did they react? They grumbled, saying that men hired at the last hour have been paid as much as they who had worked all day, including during the hottest part of the day.  They have been paid the same when they have given more time and effort. The householder could have tried to avoid this reaction by paying the late comers after he had paid the men hired at first.  Instead “he sets up the first hired to believe they will receive more than those hired last.”  (Levine & Brettler, 36) They would have seen the wage promised them for their day’s work, handed out, coin after coin, to the late comers.  The householder seems to be setting a test.    How will those hired first, but paid last, react?   When they react as might be expected, the householder treats it as a teachable moment.  He points out that he has paid them what they had agreed to, which was the standard rate of pay.  He continues: “Take what belongs to you and go: I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you.  Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or are you envious because I am generous?”

 

The householder’s behavior is an example of what Michael Crosby calls “a generosity-beyond-what-is-just with one’s resources,” a generosity that he compares to that of the woman who anoints Jesus with the costly ointment (Mt 26:6-13).    The householder’s generosity, like hers, raises objections.  (Crosby, 36-37) Reasons for not being generous can always be found, especially if the generosity is intended for someone other than ourselves.  But as the householder makes clear, generosity is a choice. We can choose to give to others “what belongs” to us.

      

Bibliography:  Crosby, Michael H., “Matthew’s Gospel: The Disciples’ Call to Justice,” in The New Testament-Introducing the Way of Discipleship, ed. Wes Howard-Brook and Sharon H. Ringe (Maryknoll NY: Orbis Books, 2002), 16-39; Levine, Amy-Jill, and Marc Zvi Brettler. ed.  The Jewish Annotated New Testament. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011;  Taylor, Barbara Brown. The Seeds of Heaven: Sermons on the Gospel of Matthew. Louisville KY; Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.

 

For Reflection and Discussion:  What do we do with “what belongs” to us? Do we act generously, whether by giving more than is fair, or by showing a generosity of spirit that does not begrudge others their good fortune? Or do we brood over what we think others owe to us?

 

This week’s Sunday Gospel Commentary was prepared by

Anne Morton, BA, MA, MA (Theology), Winnipeg, Canada,  Bat Kol Alumna 2010
Email address: anmorton@mymts.net

[Copyright © 2017]

 

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PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Gospel commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Sunday Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol.  Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome

………………………………………………

 

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

1983-2017

“Christians Studying the Bible  within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

gill@batkol.info Website: www.batkol.info

Parashah Commentary Post a Comment

Parashat D'Varim

Shabbat Table Talk

Parashat  D’varim  Shabbat Shuvah 22 September 2017

Week of 17-23, September 2017

 

Torah portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32       Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10, Joel 2:15-27 and Micah 7:18-20

 

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Today is Shabbat after Rosh Hashanah and before Yom Kippur. Shabbat Shuvah lies between the celebration of the New Year, yet reminds of repentance in preparation for the Day of Atonement. It seems that after Rosh Hashanah, we are immediately reminded that celebrating new life (nth chance), entails true teshuva (repentance).

 

The Torah reading is from D’varim is Moses’ poem during his last days. He summoned Israel to remember the time G-d cared for them, and never failed to feed them to their fill. However, Israel “grew fat, gross and coarse”, and forgot G-d as a result. Israel had to face the consequence of their transgressions. G-d withdrew, and allowed their enemies to devour them. When G-d saw the helplessness of Israel, the threshold of their misery, and that they finally realize their mistakes; G-d in turn vindicated them.

 

In the Haftarah, Hosea 14 opens with the call, “Return, O Israel, to the L-rd your G-d”. It is an invitation to see where their relationship with the L-rd stands.  In Joel 2.20, the prophet strikingly reminds Israel of G-d’s decisive action to lift up their “stench and foul smell”; and this can be likened to Israel’s and our transgressions. Many times we fail for having a “fat, gross and coarse” attitude towards our neighbor. Such attitude is non-reflective of G-d’s graciousness. Just like Israel, who fell into deep forgetfulness of the L-rd, and only when they hit hard rock bottom, realized they had departed from the G-d’s ways, we too at times fail to love G-d and our fellow because of our arrogance.

 

This Shabbat Shuvah invites us to see through ourselves on how we irresponsibly used our freedom in being “gross and coarse” to others. Coming to our senses in seeing our failure to be just and loving, having committed a “spiritual suicide” makes us sense an unexplainable void that only G-d can fill and heal. Wanting to return to G-d is a joyous occasion in our life. From a deep and hard fall, today, we are called to bounce back to G-d. Surely, G-d will forgive our transgressions. Nonetheless, we must remember that G-d’s decision to be merciful and gracious does not depend on our repentance, because prophet Micah (7.18b) has said,“G-d does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in showing clemency”. G-d’s clemency is shown in lifting our “stench and foul smell” (Joel 2:20), and “poured down in abundant rain” (Joel 2.23), not only to fill Israel with grain, but more so, G-d transforms it into a “fragrant wine of Lebanon” (Hosea 14.7) that delights the heart.

 

After the celebration of a New Year, the readings invite us to have a truly meaningful and fruitful year ahead. A new life awaits us, a life that starts with authenticity borne by a repentant and contrite heart. Even in our unfaithfulness, G-d awaits our return, with the hope that our bond with Him will be stronger than ever; a relationship that gives rise to the sweet smelling “fragrance” like that of the “wine of Lebanon.”       

 

Reflection and Discussion: 1. How have I been “fat, gross and coarse” to others? 2. Am I truly remorseful of my failure to be gracious as G-d is to me and my fellow? 3. What can I do to transform my “fat, gross and coarse” attitude and have a truly loving relationship with my fellow and G-d?

 

Bibliography: Kindly browse the URL: www.chabad.org and www.myjewsihlearning.com where you will find thought provoking articles about the Shabbat Shuvah.

 

This week’s Parashat Shabbat Shuvah Commentary was prepared by

Kristine C. Meneses, Ph.D., Manila,  Philippines, Bat Kol Alumna 2016

Email address: krstn.rw@gmail.com

[Copyright © 2017]

 

……………………………………………………………

PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Parashah commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol. The commentaries, along with all materials published on the Bat Kol website, are copyrighted by the writers, and are made available for personal and group study, and local church purposes. Permission needed for other purposes. Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome.

……………………………………………………………

 

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

1983-2017

“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

Website: www.batkol.info; Parashat Admin: gill@batkol.info

 

 

Parashah Commentary Post a Comment

Parashat D’Varim

Shabbat Table Talk

Parashat  D’varim  Shabbat Shuvah 22 September 2017

Week of 17-23, September 2017

 

Torah portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32       Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10, Joel 2:15-27 and Micah 7:18-20

 

Download

 

Today is Shabbat after Rosh Hashanah and before Yom Kippur. Shabbat Shuvah lies between the celebration of the New Year, yet reminds of repentance in preparation for the Day of Atonement. It seems that after Rosh Hashanah, we are immediately reminded that celebrating new life (nth chance), entails true teshuva (repentance).

 

The Torah reading is from D’varim is Moses’ poem during his last days. He summoned Israel to remember the time G-d cared for them, and never failed to feed them to their fill. However, Israel “grew fat, gross and coarse”, and forgot G-d as a result. Israel had to face the consequence of their transgressions. G-d withdrew, and allowed their enemies to devour them. When G-d saw the helplessness of Israel, the threshold of their misery, and that they finally realize their mistakes; G-d in turn vindicated them.

 

In the Haftarah, Hosea 14 opens with the call, “Return, O Israel, to the L-rd your G-d”. It is an invitation to see where their relationship with the L-rd stands.  In Joel 2.20, the prophet strikingly reminds Israel of G-d’s decisive action to lift up their “stench and foul smell”; and this can be likened to Israel’s and our transgressions. Many times we fail for having a “fat, gross and coarse” attitude towards our neighbor. Such attitude is non-reflective of G-d’s graciousness. Just like Israel, who fell into deep forgetfulness of the L-rd, and only when they hit hard rock bottom, realized they had departed from the G-d’s ways, we too at times fail to love G-d and our fellow because of our arrogance.

 

This Shabbat Shuvah invites us to see through ourselves on how we irresponsibly used our freedom in being “gross and coarse” to others. Coming to our senses in seeing our failure to be just and loving, having committed a “spiritual suicide” makes us sense an unexplainable void that only G-d can fill and heal. Wanting to return to G-d is a joyous occasion in our life. From a deep and hard fall, today, we are called to bounce back to G-d. Surely, G-d will forgive our transgressions. Nonetheless, we must remember that G-d’s decision to be merciful and gracious does not depend on our repentance, because prophet Micah (7.18b) has said,“G-d does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in showing clemency”. G-d’s clemency is shown in lifting our “stench and foul smell” (Joel 2:20), and “poured down in abundant rain” (Joel 2.23), not only to fill Israel with grain, but more so, G-d transforms it into a “fragrant wine of Lebanon” (Hosea 14.7) that delights the heart.

 

After the celebration of a New Year, the readings invite us to have a truly meaningful and fruitful year ahead. A new life awaits us, a life that starts with authenticity borne by a repentant and contrite heart. Even in our unfaithfulness, G-d awaits our return, with the hope that our bond with Him will be stronger than ever; a relationship that gives rise to the sweet smelling “fragrance” like that of the “wine of Lebanon.”       

 

Reflection and Discussion: 1. How have I been “fat, gross and coarse” to others? 2. Am I truly remorseful of my failure to be gracious as G-d is to me and my fellow? 3. What can I do to transform my “fat, gross and coarse” attitude and have a truly loving relationship with my fellow and G-d?

 

Bibliography: Kindly browse the URL: www.chabad.org and www.myjewsihlearning.com where you will find thought provoking articles about the Shabbat Shuvah.

 

This week’s Parashat Shabbat Shuvah Commentary was prepared by

Kristine C. Meneses, Ph.D., Manila,  Philippines, Bat Kol Alumna 2016

Email address: krstn.rw@gmail.com

[Copyright © 2017]

 

……………………………………………………………

PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Parashah commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol. The commentaries, along with all materials published on the Bat Kol website, are copyrighted by the writers, and are made available for personal and group study, and local church purposes. Permission needed for other purposes. Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome.

……………………………………………………………

 

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

1983-2017

“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

Website: www.batkol.info; Parashat Admin: gill@batkol.info

 

 

September 12, 2017 lectures, news Post a Comment

Jewish Conscience of the Church: Jules Isaac and the Second Vatican Council

Shalom,

 

Bat Kol is hosting a special lecture ‘Jewish Conscience of the Church: Jules Isaac and the Second Vatican Council’  to honor the 70th Anniversary of Seelisburg.   

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies would be very grateful if you would help us promote the evening as widely as possible through your mailing lists and on social media.

We look forward to welcoming you on the night.

With thanks and best regards,

 

Maureena

More information, click here. 

Sunday Commentary Post a Comment

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A (17 September 2017)

Lectionary readings: Sirach 27:30-28:7; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Rom 14:7-9; Mt 18:21-35

Theme: Reconciliation and Forgiveness, Be Kind and Merciful

 

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Living in Australia now for nearly six years, it is a common occurrence to hear of the Australian State of Reconciliation and Forgiveness, the past history, stories and the path for the future. The significance of reconciliation and forgiveness in maintaining and building relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the wider Australia community. “It’s important not to lose sight of the fact that reconciliation is basically a grassroots process. It’s about people living and working together and solving problems in local communities.” (P.  Dodson)

 

Last Sunday’s Gospel discussed the reconciliation of members guilty of public crimes destructive of the community “If your brother or sister has sinned against you, go and point… “(Mt 18:15). Today’s Gospel reading concerns the forgiveness called for within the community at a personal level. Then Peter asked him, “Lord how many times must I forgive the offences of my brother or sister?” (Mt 18:21). The response of the Lord, “not seven times; I say seventy times seven times”. In many ancient cultures, Hebrew included, the number seven often signifies completeness and/or perfection. Reconciliation and Forgiveness will be the process to attain the end goal of wholeness, completeness and perfection. I mentioned last week, in the language of Human Rights “caring for one another, is everyone’s responsibility”.

 

In our time of the Common Era, we have had two world wars and perhaps we know that some of the main causes of these wars or any global violence and conflict. According to Karen Armstrong in her book “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life”, Armstrong noted, it is important to point out that “In fact, the cause of war is usually ambition, hatred, greed and envy”. This is the message of the first reading from the book of Sirach, the need for forgiveness and reconciliation. Reconciliation has elements of truth, forgiveness, healing, reparation, justice and love. “Wrath and anger are hateful things … think of the commandments, hate not your neighbour”.  Resentment and the vengeful spirit have been part of the human story since the beginning. The Jews knew the directives of Sirach, as well as the challenge of Scripture to be holy as God is holy. “We must realize that listening to this Scripture on Sunday and yet practicing any kind of vendetta is inconsistent and un-Christian” (Sunday Missal pg. 577).

 

In the parable of the unforgiving manager, Jesus teaches us, there is no limit to granting forgiveness and pardon, the meaning of forgiving “seventy times seven”. The man who owned an enormous amount was forgiven, and he failed to show compassion to his friend who pleaded for mercy, how sad. From the “Charter for Compassion”, Karen Armstrong noted “The principle of compassion lies in the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish them to be treated ourselves”. The final line of the Charter is “It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community”.

 

Psalm 103, The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion. Oh God, so great is your love for us, most forgiving and reconciling. Together with psalm 104, God of all grace shines far and wide. “In the galaxy of the Psalter these are twin stars of the first magnitude” (D. Kidner pg. 364)

 

For Reflection and Discussion: (1) The ability to forgive is a gift present in everyone, what is your opinion. (2) The Golden Rule, “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets”(Mt 7:12), share with a friend, have a havrutah session.

 

Bibliography: W.G. Plaut, (ed.) The Torah (NY 1981); K. Armstrong, Charter of Compassion (2009); K. Armstrong, Twelve Steps to a Companionate Life (2010); Reconciliation Australia, Reconciliation Action Plan (2015-2017). D. Kidner, Psalms 73-150 (1975).

 

This week’s Sunday Commentary was prepared by

Fr. Aliki A. Langi, Gladstone, Australia,  Bat Kol Alum 2005

Email: 1alikilangi@tpg.com.au

[Copyright © 2017]

 

……………………………………………….

PLEASE NOTE: The weekly Gospel commentaries represent the research and creative thought of their authors, and are meant to stimulate deeper thinking about the meaning of the Sunday Scriptures. While they draw upon the study methods and sources employed by the Bat Kol Institute, the views and conclusions expressed in these commentaries are solely those of their authors, and do not necessarily represent the views of Bat Kol.  Questions, comments and feedback are always welcome.

    ……………………………………………………………

 

~~1983-2017~~

Bat Kol Institute for Jewish Studies, Jerusalem

“Christians Studying the Bible within its Jewish milieu, using Jewish Sources.”

Website: www.batkol.info;   gill@batkol.info

Parashah Commentary Post a Comment

Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelek

Shabbat Table Talk

Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelek – Erev Shabbat 15 September 2017

Week of 10-16 September 2017

Torah portion: Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30 Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9

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We are coming to the end of Moses‘ instructions to the people before he passes on his leadership to Joshua and dies. Here we have two Parashot covering only three chapters, yet they contain a great deal to take note of and therefore we are forced to look at only a few highlights. In 29:13-14, Moses tells the people that the covenant with its sanctions are not only for the people standing there but also for the future generations who are not standing with them: this includes those of us who are reading and praying through these passages this week. What are the first words Moses says to us? You stand, this day, all of you before your God the Lord …to enter into the Covenant of the God your Lord, which the Lord is concluding with you this day (v.9). What follows are reminders of the Lord’s Covenant with the Israelites on Mount Sinai. A difference here is that all the people are involved and named in verse 10 and all future generations who belong to the Lord are part of this Covenant with the Lord God.

 

So we are told to stand up this day and every day before our God the Lord and hear what God did and will do for us in accordance with how we are committed to the Covenant. We quote the prologue to the Decalogue, (Ex 20:2): I the Lord am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage: you shall have no other gods besides me. That is what the Covenant is all about: there is no other god besides the Lord God and we are called to be committed and obedient to the Lord our God. We recall the Shema: Dt 6: 4-9 especially for what we are looking at here: Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord Alone! This is for all peoples down the ages and for us.

 

This section of the Parashah speaks about the sufferings that come upon those who do not obey the Covenant. These are all seen as God’s punishment. As I read 29:21-27 I think about the environmental crises we are facing today which are as a result of not following God’s Law for us as human beings. Way back in Genesis 4:10ff God tells Cain that his brother’s blood is shrieking to Me from the ground! Cain will be cursed by the soil which received his brother’s blood. To break God’s Covenant as given to us in the Decalogue is to destroy all of God’s creation by imbalance, disharmony, destruction and death! We are offered blessings and curses; life and prosperity or death and doom! What do we choose? Our question is how do we follow the instructions of the Lord that are so beyond us. God’s law is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it (30:14).

 

In the second part of this week’s Parashah (31:1-30), Moses assures the people that your God, the Lord will cross over before you into the Promised Land. Joshua, the successor as ordained by God is told: Be strong and resolute and be not in fear or in dread of other nations. Your God the Lord marches with you and will not fail nor forsake you (v. 6).

 

The Haftarah (Is 61:10-63:9) known as the Seventh Consolation completes the last ten weeks called: Three weeks of Rebuke and Seven weeks of Consolation. Thus we experience each year the process of rebuke and condolence, destruction and rebuilding, estrangement and reunion as we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

 

Reflection: Behold the Lord your God by reading and meditating upon these extraordinary chapters from Deuteronomy and Isaiah. What do I need to do or change in my life so as to be truly in Covenant with God and all of Creation?

 

Bibliography: Eskenazi, T. C. Weiss, A.L.  A Women’s Commentary (New York: 2008); African Bible (Nairobi: 2004). www.chabad.org Seven Degrees of Consolation – Teachings of Lubavitcher Rebbe

 

This week’s teaching commentary is by

   Bernadette Chellew, Durban, South Africa, Bat Kol alum 2008

Email: btrnchellew@gmail.com

[Copyright © 2017]

 

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