Cataloguing important information from Jewish and Christian holidays, to advertisements of Jewish-owned businesses, the Jewish calendar became an indispensable tool for Eastern European Jewry hundreds of years ago
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Israeli academics and scholars are now willing to recognize that certain Messianic passages were intentionally omitted from the synagogue readings. Research shows that passages were excluded from the weekly portion because of their “Messianic” connotations. Were the passages so clearly pointing to Jesus that the rabbis were afraid to read them in the synagogue, afraid that Jews might believe in Jesus?
A portion of the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy, called
“Parashat Hashavua,” is read every Shabbat in the synagogue. Added to the Torah portion is the
“Haftarah,” which are additional readings taken from the Prophets.
The earliest mention of this practice just happens to be found in the New Testament when Jesus stands up in the synagogue in Nazareth on the Shabbat and reads from the Book of Isaiah. Following that
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Rabbi Liron Levy-Rosensaft and the children at Neve Hanna celebrating Hanukkah in December 2018. (courtesy)
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights and miracles, reminds us of the importance of family and friends, a time for solidarity and community, a time for redemption and rededication. These sentiments hold more meaning as we look back on this year. Life as we knew it dramatically changed and with it came challenges and obstacles. Ten months into the COVID1-19 pandemic, we find ourselves dealing with additional restrictions in every sphere of our lives.