October 2009 / Tishrei-Cheshvan 5770 - Vol 1, Issue 1
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Podcast of the Week
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 This week, Rachael talks about Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
Click here to listen!
Click here to go to Rachael's archived podcasts.
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Candle Lighting Times |
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Facebook Photo of the Month
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A school hallway is draped with paper chains for Sukkot. View our Facebook page, enter our photo contest and more! |
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Greetings!
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Welcome to Koleinu, which is the Hebrew word for
'Our Voices', our monthly Newsletter where we can share our views, various topics, themes and perspectives. A place to share our voices and open opportunities to explore what Judaism has to say about ... well pretty much anything.
Our focus is always hearing ancient voices speaking into our modern world to help us with our daily lives. Enjoy this first edition of Koleinu, we look forward to sharing our views with you on an ongoing monthly basis.  Dr. Rachael Turkienicz Executive Director, Rachaelscentre.org
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Featured Moments From Our Website
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Here is a preview of some of the new videos now available in the Pathways to Learning section of www.rachaelscentre.org
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Sukkot Symbols & Layers |
 Conclude your week of Sukkot with a four-part course on the holiday. Sukkot centres around three key symbols, the Lulav, the Etrog and the Sukkah.
Each have their own meaning and are rich with interpretations. This
series explores the meaning and history behind them and
provides unique perspectives on the holiday.
Click here to explore!
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Shemini Atzeret: The Forgotten High Holiday
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 After the rush of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and caught in the middle between Sukkot and Simchat Torah is Shemini Atzeret - the forgotten High Holiday. Why is this holiday so important to the Jewish people? Click here to explore!
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Here is a taste of what's available on Rachaelscentre.org for everyone!
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Weekly Reflection Video Blog
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 During the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, we're told we should build a hut
and dwell in it, and not recreate a past experience through stories
like we're told to do during other holidays. We experience our past by
actually doing it. Click to hear what Rachael has to say.
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From the Women's Voices Blog
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 Posted by Rachael (October 6,2009)
Here we are, just barely after Yom Kippur and already I have an apology - I haven't sat at the computer and blogged for a while - sorry. I'm tempted to say I've been swamped but then here we would be, barely after Yom Kippur and not only do I have something to apologize for but I would also be offering excuses for it as well...
Click here to continue reading.
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'Olamainu': Our World, Our Environment |
There are times when Judaism clearly sets boundaries on how we must care for the environment and other times the guidelines are more subtle, more nuanced. There is no question that Judaism allows the eating of meat and using animal skins and leathers for clothing and other uses. In fact, Torah scrolls, mezuzahs and tefillin use parchments, which come from animals.
Based on all that, you would think there would be no environmental issues with wearing leather and while there are no prohibitions, there are certainly sensitivities and nuances.
When someone we know has bought a piece of clothing, it is polite and traditional to say to them 'titchadshee' (for a woman) or 'titchadesh' (for a man). This is the Hebrew word that wishes them continued opportunities to renew and increase their wardrobe. In other words, we notice the new garment and wish them many more opportunities to increase with many more articles of clothing that resemble this one - it's so nice.
Yet Judaism teaches us that when someone acquires a new leather garment, we may compliment the garment, but we do not offer the traditional word 'titchadshi'. We do not wish for many renewed garments just like this one. Although we can wear leather, we are sensitive to the fact that another living creature owned it before us and was killed so we could wear it.
This is not a moment of inducing environmental guilt on anyone. The person who wears leather has done nothing wrong. Rather than invoking guilt, the purpose seems to be to sharpen our sensitivities since environmental issues are rarely as clear as black and white.
The Torah granting us permission to use the environment is not the same thing as praising the way we use it. There is no prohibition against wearing leather but neither is there any celebration of it when we do.
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Mussar Moments: A Real-Life Moment We've All Faced |
At the end of the day you start to go home, tired and worn out. As you finally find a seat on the bus, an elderly person gets on the bus and stands near you since there are no empty seats left. You feel awkward sitting but you're exhausted from your day. After a few minutes you realize you need to get up and offer your seat to the elderly person standing nearby.
But when you offer your seat, the elderly person declines the offer and gratefully tells you that they're fine and they'll pass. Clearly, for whatever reason, they do not want to sit.
Do you sit back down?
Do you offer the seat to someone else?
Do you insist that the elderly person sit in your chair?
Do you get off the bus?
- The answer may surprise you -
Look for it on the Mussar section of our website coming soon!
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