Parshat Noah: Windows & The World

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Why does God command Noah to build a “tzohar” (opening) on the ark? The tevah was meant to enclose and protect those inside so they could survive the flood. What purpose, then, would an opening serve? The interpretations of the tzohar provide a model for how we might view our own homes and places of prayer today.

The word tzohar appears only once in Tanach, making it difficult to define. Rashi, citing midrash, offers two explanations: (1) a window, or (2) a precious stone that emitted light. Both explain how Noah and his family—confined in the ark for a year—had light and could distinguish between day and night. Yet the difference is telling: a stone brings light inward but offers no view outward, while a window lets light in and allows one to look out and connect with the world beyond. Hizkuni identifies this tzohar as the very window through which Noah sent the raven, a moment marking his first reconnection with the outside world. 

Windows also carry symbolic meaning in our prayer spaces and homes. Talmud Berachot, based on Daniel, teaches that one should pray in a bayit with windows—a law later codified in halakha. Some rishonim explain that natural light or a view of the heavens enhances kavanah (concentration). Rav Kook adds that a person who has the most heartfelt  prayers, but is disconnected from the outside world is not achieving the full purpose of tefilla. By davening in a room with a view of the outside, a person will be inspired to positively influence and do good in the world s/he inhabits. 

Like Noah’s tevah, our homes and shuls are a space to protect and nurture ourselves, to build up our faith and inner light. Yet if we never look outward, our spiritual lives remain incomplete. The window reminds us that faith is not only about shelter, but about shining light into the world beyond. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Chukat: The Dangers of Anger

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Parshat Chukat seems to be a familiar narrative: Bnei Yisrael complain, Moshe and Aharon intervene and God punishes and forgives. However, it contains a new, unfortunate twist: This time Moshe sins and is punished. What went so wrong and what can we learn from Moshe’s experience?  

After Miriam’s death, the people quarrel with Moshe out of desperate thirst for water. God instructs Moshe to take his staff along with Aharon, gather the people and speak to the rock which would miraculously produce water. However, Moshe and Aharon lose patience and say, “Listen, you rebels…” Then Moshe strikes the rock instead of speaking to it. God says that because he didn’t have faith and sanctify God in public, Moshe is tragically punished: he will not enter the land of Israel. The exact sin is not specified in the Torah. It is clear that Moshe loses his temper with the people and loses control when hitting the rock. This is the view of Rambam, that Moshe’s sin was getting angry and also mistakenly conveying to the people that Hashem was angry with them. Rambam brings this episode (in Shemonah Perakim) to demonstrate that anger is a risky emotion and requires mindfulness and perfecting. 

Rambam’s view on avoiding anger is also expressed in his halakhic writing about tefilla. The Talmud Berakhot teaches that one should have kavanah (intention) in prayer and it is inappropriate to pray from a place of excessive sorrow, laziness, laughter, chatter or frivolity. When Rambam codifies this to law he adds one more emotional state which will disrupt one’s ability to daven properly: anger. By waiting to begin tefillah until the angry feeling has subsided, one learns that anger needs to be regulated and should not be brought along as we approach God in tefilla. 

Moshe provides a lesson: Anger is a natural emotion which can be constructive at times, but unchecked anger, especially in leaders, can have devastating consequences. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Mishpatim: Chesed and Compassion as Prayer

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What is the relationship between social responsibility and tefilla? Two verses in parshat Mishpatim highlight God’s particular attentiveness to the cries of the vulnerable and oppressed.

The Torah warns against ill-treatment of a stranger, orphan or widow: “If you mistreat them, as soon as they cry out to Me, I will hear their outcry.” The verse contains three instances of double language: aneh-ta’aneh, tza’ok-yitzak, shamoa-eshma. This emphasizes that just as the victim will feel the pain of mistreatment more deeply, God will hear their cries and respond to their suffering more urgently. 

This unique and direct link with Hashem is also seen through the Torah’s instruction on how to loan money to the poor without taking advantage of them. It states: “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you…” Rashi citing midrash Tanchuma explains that by referring to the person in need as “My people,” it is God’s reminder to treat him honorably, as he is “with God.” Also, “the poor among you” – be compassionate by considering yourself as though you are among the poor of your people. The Sefer HaChinuch explains that through this mitzvah we will be trained and habituated to the trait of kindness and of mercy. Indifference increases suffering, while developing and practicing compassionate behavior, leads to a more compassionate world. In the biblical world orphans, widows and the poor were among the most vulnerable. Therefore, it is through sensitivity to their experience and acts of lovingkindness, that we can develop a closer connection to God. 

When Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in support of the civil rights movement, he said, “I felt my legs were praying.” May all of our acts of chesed and protests of injustice be like prayers and draw us closer to God. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson 

*Photo from https://www.jta.org/2012/01/10/ny/their-feet-were-praying : Martin Luther King Jr., left, and Abraham Joshua Heschel, right, during Selma march in 1965. (Courtesy of Susannah Heschel)

Parshat Beshalach: Engaging Women

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How do we imbue our girls with a sense of confidence and self-worth? How do we teach the value of modesty (inward and outward) while encouraging young women to pursue their talents and dreams? How can women feel more connected to communal prayer? Miriam, in parshat Beshalach, provides a model. 

According to Rashi based on the Mekhilta, after the splitting of the sea, Moshe leads the men in singing “az yashir” and Miriam leads the women. Some commentaries understand this to mean that Miriam led the same “az yashir” for the women and the Torah just recorded a shortened version. However, the slight difference in language and other new elements suggests that Miriam’s song was unique and distinct.

First, Moshe says “I will sing (ashira) to God” and Miriam says “Sing (shiru) to God.” In addition to singing, Miriam took a tambourine in her hand and all the women came out after her “betupim u’vimcholot,” with tambourines and dances. Where did they get musical instruments in the middle of the desert? The midrash Mekhilta teaches that the women, while still in Egypt, believed deeply that God would redeem them, and therefore they prepared tambourines, anticipating that they would be celebrating miracles in future. The nation sang a song of gratitude, but the women added a unique element to the song – tupim u’vimcholot, a musical celebration reflecting deep faith. Miriam inspired the women of her generation to find their voices and express themselves in religious life. Following Miriam’s example, by creating opportunities for girls and women to express themselves, the whole Jewish people will be enriched. 

In biblical times, the women’s faith and gratitude were so great that they too wanted to express this in song. Today too, as girls and women are searching for more connection, this model of women alongside men, empowered yet distinctive, can be a source of inspiration in our communities. Shabbat Shalom – Karen Miller Jackson

  • image: The Songs of Joy, James Tissot c. 1896-1902, thejewishmuseum.org

Parshat Shemot: On Crying and Redemption

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What prompted the redemption from Egypt? One significant word in parshat Shemot marks the turning point from enslavement to freedom.

After years of suffering, b’nei Yisrael cry out (“va-yiz’aku”) from the overwhelming burden of bondage and their cry rose up to God. Then God hears their groan and sees their suffering. What is the significance of this moment? Rashi interprets: God directed His heart to them and no longer remained hidden. Ramban highlights the role of Israel in prompting the ge’ula: Israel’s cry, meaning their prayers, stirred God’s mercy. This is similar to Ramban’s opinion elsewhere, that the epitome of prayer is when one calls out to God in time of distress. Ramban also teaches that the time of ge’ula (redemption) had already passed and the people were not worthy of being redeemed. Yet, their deeply emotive tefilla had the strength to start the redemption process. As Nechama Leibowitz writes, “The sudden and successive re-appearance of the Divine name in the text signaled the end of the period of [God’s] estrangement from the world.” 

This “crying out” recalls another story in Torah, also of nearly lost hope. In Sodom, an outcry – “tze’aka” – reaches God. The midrash teaches that this was the cry of a young maiden, one of Lot’s daughters, who had tried to help and feed a poor man. When the men of Sodom found out and wanted to burn her, her cry was so powerful that it reached God, who then descended to Sodom. God is especially responsive to the outcry of those who are suffering. 

The Torah also instructs us not to oppress the stranger, widow or orphan, because God will immediately hear their outcry. “Tze’aka” demonstrates the power of prayer, no matter how distant God seems. Redemption comes about through tefilla and by fostering the ability to hear the cry of the vulnerable and suffering around us. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Toldot: Long-term Optimism

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How does one remain hopeful and optimistic in the face of adversity? Some insight and inspiration can be gleaned from the instances of tefilla in parshat Toldot. 

After twenty years of infertility, prayers and longing to have a child, Rivka becomes pregnant. The word for prayer here – ויעתר –  is unique. It is used twice to mean (1) Yitzchak entreats God and (2) God responds to his plea. This mirroring of language highlights that the tefillot were heard and answered. The Sages debate the deeper meaning of the word ויעתר. One interpretation: Yitzchak’s prayers become more frequent and urgent. Alternatively, it relates to the word for pitchfork (עתר). Just as a pitchfork overturns grain from place to place, so to does tefilla of the righteous change God’s decree from cruelty to mercy. Hence, this tefilla is a model for holding out hope in the face of long-term yearning and challenges.

The commentaries add another dimension to this prayer when they teach that Rivka was an integral part of the tefillot being answered. Yitzchak prays “l’nochach ishto,” in the presence of his wife. The midrash explains that they were both equally devoted and sychronized in their tefillot. Each stood in one corner, but together in the same room, highlighting the strength of davening together. Additionally, Rivka continues praying when pregnant. When the twins struggle inside her womb, she goes to “lidrosh (inquire) of Hashem.” Ramban, based on other instances of this word in Tanach, comments that in this moment of concern and crisis, she prayed to God.

This week Ethiopian Jews celebrated Sigd and their return to Jerusalem after many centuries – another model of long-term prayers fulfilled. Yet, our beloved Jerusalem and Israel still face challenges and adversity. Rivka and Yitzchak provide a model of tefilla as entreaty and inquiry and as a source of extended optimism as we pray our dreams of peace and security will be fulfilled. Shabbat Shalom & Chodesh tov! -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Chayei Sarah: Types of Tefilla

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There is a seeming paradox within Jewish prayer. If the times we pray and the words we say are fixed by halakha, how can tefilla also be flexible, individualized and filled with kavanah (intention)?! Parshat Chayei Sarah provides some insight into this question.

The Talmud, drawing on the parsha, contains a debate about the origin of the three daily prayers in Talmud Berachot. One opinion is that tefilla is modeled after the Avot: Avraham instituted shacharit, Yitzchak – mincha, and Yacov – ma’ariv. Alternatively, tefilla is based on the daily “tamid” offerings from the Beit Hamikdash. What is the difference? Tefilla which parallels the daily offerings is characterized by constancy and consistency, infusing holiness into our day at prescribed times. Tefilla modeled after the Avot conveys diversity and spontaneity in prayer. Each of the forefathers is associated with a different time of day/night for tefilla and with a distinct word for prayer in the Torah. Avraham’s prayer is called “standing.” Yitzchak’s tefilla is called “lasuach” (conversing?) and Yacov “encounters.” By drawing on both these sources of tefilla – tamid offerings and avot – the Talmud encourages us to engage with tefilla both from obligated regularity and from voluntary inspiration. 

The source of Yitzchak’s mincha prayer, found in parshat Chayei Sarah, reinforces this duality in tefilla. The verse states, “And Isaac went out “lasuaḥ” in the field toward evening.” Some commentaries understand the word “lasuaḥ” as meaning “to converse,” as in “sicha” (conversation). Others see a connection between “lasuaḥ” and “sichim,” (plants and trees). Hence, Rav Kook, in Olat Reiyah, explains that tefilla is related to both: It is an opportunity for an individual to converse with God; and, tefilla enables a soul to blossom with renewed energy, so that a person can emerge from praying and branch out like a tree in the world.  

Tefilla as “sicha” establishes a framework for continuing to engage in regular conversation with God, while also leaving space to renew ourselves and our relationship with tefilla. Shabbat Shalom – Karen Miller Jackson 

Parshat Vayera: The Meaning of Prayer

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Parshat Vayera contains the first appearance of the word tefilla in Tanach. Avaraham prays (“Vayitpallel”) for Avimelech’s household and God responds to his prayer. Then, Sarah too is remembered by God and becomes pregnant after years of infertility. How does the language of “hitpallel” teach about the efficacy and purpose of prayer? Furthermore, where is Sarah’s prayer?

After the king Avimelech takes Sarah, he is stricken and the wombs of his household are closed as punishment by God, “because of the matter of (al d’var) Sarah”. Avraham prays to God for Avimelech and his family and they are healed. Bereshit Rabbah points out that this unique first expression of the word tefilla indicates that a “knot was undone” – prayer has the power to influence God’s response and yield positive results. However, the Hebrew root פ.ל.ל has another meaning in Tanakh. In Shemot, when damage is done, the reparation is determined “b’flilim,” meaning, “according to the judges.” Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch expands on the connection between the word for prayer and judgment. The word “hitpallel” is reflexive – an opportunity to “assess/ judge oneself” and one’s relationship with God and the world. 

Both can be true. Tefilla is about pleading with Hashem, a way of expressing our deepest yearnings and requests to God. Tefilla is also an opportunity to self-reflect and focus on the state of ourselves and our relationship with God and others. 
What about Sarah? Does she not engage in prayer as well? In fact, the Sages teach that she prayed too. The midrash reads “al d’var” not as “the matter” of Sarah, but rather “the words (of prayer) of Sarah.” Sarah prayed to be saved and God assured her that Avimelech’s suffering and healing would be according to her word. The rabbis saw role models for tefilla in both Avraham and Sarah, who both call out to God as the source of protection and healing and are answered. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson

Parshat Noah: A Window to the World

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Why does God command Noah to build a “tzohar” (opening) on the ark? The tevah was meant to enclose and protect those inside so that they could survive the floods. What purpose would an opening serve? The interpretations of the “tzohar” also provide a model for how to view our homes and places of prayer today.

The word tzohar appears only once in Tanach, making it difficult to define. Rashi, citing Bereshit Rabbah, provides two explanations: 1) Some say it was a window, 2) others say it was a precious stone which provided light. Both interpretations explain how Noah and his family, who lived on the ark for an entire year, managed to have light and differentiate between day and night. Yet, there is a difference: The precious stone would not have allowed Noah to look out to the world, only to bring light inward. A window however, has a dual purpose – to let the light in and to look out and connect with the outside world. Perhaps this is why Hizkuni teaches that the tzohar was the window through which Noah later sends out the raven, to check if the waters had dried up, reconnecting with the outside.

Windows are also an important part of our prayer spaces and homes. The Talmud Berachot, based on Daniel, states that a person should only pray in a bayit with windows (and this is codified as halacha). Why? Some rishonim explain that the light, or looking to the heavens, will help enhance our kavanah in tefillah. Rav Kook provides a different reason: A person who has the most intention-filled prayers, but is disconnected from the outside world is not achieving the full purpose of tefillah. By davening in a room with a view of the outside, a person will be inspired to positively influence and do good in the world s/he inhabits. 

Like Noah’s tevah, our homes and shuls are a space to protect and nurture ourselves, to build up our emunah and enhance our tefilla, like the stone shining inward. Yet, by staying inside, our lives are incomplete. Through gazing outside we are reminded of our responsibility to the outside world. Shabbat Shalom – Karen Miller Jackson

The Tefillah Paradox: Standardized or Spontaneous?

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Tefillah is such a significant part of our lives. 1 Yet, it contains a paradox – on the one hand, the times we pray and the words we say are prescribed by halakha. On the other hand, tefillah is meant to be heartfelt and filled with kavanah. How does one approach such standardized devotion while retaining continuous intention? The sources of the mitzvah of tefillah reflect this tension and offer some potential insight into this dilemma.

To read more… https://www.matan.org.il/en/the-tefillah-paradox-standardized-or-spontaneous/