The Kosher Bookworm: Readings for Yom Kippur and Sukkos

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With Rosh Hashanah behind us, we now look to the upcoming solemn observance of Yom Kippur and the joyous commemorations of Sukkos.
As with any Jewish observance, literature keyed to the themes of the day abound. These suggestions should enhance both your observance and understanding of this season’s holy days.
One of the central Biblical readings of Yom Kippur’s afternoon Mincha service is the recitation from the Book of Jonah. In her essay on Jonah in her recent book entitled, “The Murmuring Deep” [Schocken Books 2009], Dr. Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg candidly states that, “The book of Jonah is the most enigmatic of biblical narratives. Its central mystery — Jonah’s flight from G-d — haunts the narrative till the end. Classical interpretations have offered to resolve this enigma and its satellites, proposing straightforward meanings for the text. But the text will not yield to such solutions; its meaning both invites and eludes interpretation.” The rest of her essay on Jonah serves to clarify and elucidate further on this observation.
Further on in her essay on Jonah’s behavior and motives, Zornberg cites the following observation from one of the greatest contemporary interpreters of our religious tradition.
“The posture of standing-before-G-d that is prayer,” writes Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner, [Pachad Yitzhak, Rosh Hashanah, 5] is a state that remains unbroken even after the words have ceased. It is a posture of intimacy with G-d that ends only when one moves one’s feet and withdraws — ‘like a student who separates from his teacher’. For this reason, one who travels far to reach a synagogue, even though there is another closer at hand, receives reward; the journey is not simply a means to fulfilling the mitzvah of prayer, it is part of the process of growing intimacy, of approaching G-d.” Zornberg skillfully links this classic teaching to Jonah’s behavior in his encounter with G-d.
Zornberg skillfully weaves between traditional and modern interpretations of the Jonah saga to arrive at a rather unique and very different interpretation of what she perceives as the hidden message in this story, which serves as a special demonstration of man’s encounter with the deity and the role that prayer plays in it, as well as its role in enhancing man’s capacity to repent.
This should enhance your appreciation of the Book of Jonah and to view its basic themes in a mature and informed manner. When reading Zornberg keep a Tanach close at hand, as you will need them, frequently.
Another take on Jonah is from a commentary by Dr. Uriel Simon in English translation [The Jewish Publications Society, 1999] from the series “Mikra Leyisra’el: A Bible Commentary for Israel.” One fascinating observation in the introduction deals with the views such personalities as Maimonides, Abravanel and Ibn Ezra, as well as other traditional commentators, had on the content and deeper meaning of the Jonah story. You will be surprised at what they ‘really” had to say on the book’s content and theme.
Rabbi Yisrael Reisman, in his “Pathways of the Prophets” [Mesorah, 2009], deals with the topic of Teshuvah. He cites an interesting anecdote concerning Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s role in encouraging yeshiva students to set higher goals for themselves, to strive to become gedolim. In a timely suggestion, Rabbi Reisman links that educational effort to how people should set goals in terms of Teshuvah. He links this to his shiur dealing with the prophet Yirmiyahu, of the tragic figure he was in the Bible, and how he dealt with his fate.
From so tragic a figure, Rabbi Reisman sets forth a series of contemporary vignettes that demonstrate how we can all learn from the prophet’s example on how to cope with adversity, including the proper path to effective Teshuvah.
After reading this book you might wish to consider joining the many others in our community who get together on Motza’ei Shabbos to view and learn from Rabbi Reisman’s weekly shiurim.
The reading from Megillat Koheles, Ecclesiastes, during Sukkos serves to break up any overindulgence in joy and boisterous behavior. Its somber and sober message reflects a mood counter to the basic spirit of the holiday, especially that of the upcoming Simchas Torah celebration. This was a deliberate decision by our sages.
The following from Dr. Michael Fox’s interpretation of Ecclesiastes [JPS, 2004] should further prove this point from a contemporary source that will surprise some. Consider the following quote and, as you read it, try to guess its source.
“Ecclesiastes was written to defend two doctrines of natural philosophy: providence and immortality of the soul. Koheleth shows the inadequacy of worldly wisdom when this is not supplemented by the superior truths of revealed religion, as imparted in the Torah.”
“Koheleth is in dialogue with skeptics and unbelievers, some of whose statements he cites in order to refute or to expose their unfortunate consequences. The book’s conclusions: We should choose the middle path and develop all our faculties; the Torah calls for a balance between fear of G-d on the one hand and love and joy on the other; and pursuit of wealth is acceptable if combined with the study of Torah and good deeds.”
After reading this observation one can speculate that its author was an advocate of a chareidi-based point of view. Alas, the source of this quote was none other than the famous Moses Mendelssohn, the leading philosopher of Jewish modernism at the turn of the 18th to 19th centuries. His tradition-based observation may prove to be a surprise to some, but in truth, this was a reflection of his true philosophy of our faith.
Other commentaries and observations to be found in this volume will enable you to come to view Koheles in a very different and more respectful light. Read and learn.
As we are about to hear our rabbis’ Shabbos Shuvah deroshos (lectures) and prepare for the observance of Yom Kippur, may I take this opportunity to extend to all our readers a G’mar Chasimah Tovah and may you all have a meaningful fast.
By Alan Jay Gerber
Issue of September 25, 2009/ 7 Tishrei 5770
With Rosh Hashanah behind us, we now look to the upcoming solemn observance of Yom Kippur and the joyous commemorations of Sukkos.
As with any Jewish observance, literature keyed to the themes of the day abound. These suggestions should enhance both your observance and understanding of this season’s holy days.
One of the central Biblical readings of Yom Kippur’s afternoon Mincha service is the recitation from the Book of Jonah. In her essay on Jonah in her recent book entitled, “The Murmuring Deep” [Schocken Books 2009], Dr. Aviva Gottlieb Zornberg candidly states that, “The book of Jonah is the most enigmatic of biblical narratives. Its central mystery — Jonah’s flight from G-d — haunts the narrative till the end. Classical interpretations have offered to resolve this enigma and its satellites, proposing straightforward meanings for the text. But the text will not yield to such solutions; its meaning both invites and eludes interpretation.” The rest of her essay on Jonah serves to clarify and elucidate further on this observation.
Further on in her essay on Jonah’s behavior and motives, Zornberg cites the following observation from one of the greatest contemporary interpreters of our religious tradition.
“The posture of standing-before-G-d that is prayer,” writes Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner, [Pachad Yitzhak, Rosh Hashanah, 5] is a state that remains unbroken even after the words have ceased. It is a posture of intimacy with G-d that ends only when one moves one’s feet and withdraws — ‘like a student who separates from his teacher’. For this reason, one who travels far to reach a synagogue, even though there is another closer at hand, receives reward; the journey is not simply a means to fulfilling the mitzvah of prayer, it is part of the process of growing intimacy, of approaching G-d.” Zornberg skillfully links this classic teaching to Jonah’s behavior in his encounter with G-d.
Zornberg skillfully weaves between traditional and modern interpretations of the Jonah saga to arrive at a rather unique and very different interpretation of what she perceives as the hidden message in this story, which serves as a special demonstration of man’s encounter with the deity and the role that prayer plays in it, as well as its role in enhancing man’s capacity to repent.
This should enhance your appreciation of the Book of Jonah and to view its basic themes in a mature and informed manner. When reading Zornberg keep a Tanach close at hand, as you will need them, frequently.
Another take on Jonah is from a commentary by Dr. Uriel Simon in English translation [The Jewish Publications Society, 1999] from the series “Mikra Leyisra’el: A Bible Commentary for Israel.” One fascinating observation in the introduction deals with the views such personalities as Maimonides, Abravanel and Ibn Ezra, as well as other traditional commentators, had on the content and deeper meaning of the Jonah story. You will be surprised at what they ‘really” had to say on the book’s content and theme.
Rabbi Yisrael Reisman, in his “Pathways of the Prophets” [Mesorah, 2009], deals with the topic of Teshuvah. He cites an interesting anecdote concerning Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s role in encouraging yeshiva students to set higher goals for themselves, to strive to become gedolim. In a timely suggestion, Rabbi Reisman links that educational effort to how people should set goals in terms of Teshuvah. He links this to his shiur dealing with the prophet Yirmiyahu, of the tragic figure he was in the Bible, and how he dealt with his fate.
From so tragic a figure, Rabbi Reisman sets forth a series of contemporary vignettes that demonstrate how we can all learn from the prophet’s example on how to cope with adversity, including the proper path to effective Teshuvah.
After reading this book you might wish to consider joining the many others in our community who get together on Motza’ei Shabbos to view and learn from Rabbi Reisman’s weekly shiurim.
The reading from Megillat Koheles, Ecclesiastes, during Sukkos serves to break up any overindulgence in joy and boisterous behavior. Its somber and sober message reflects a mood counter to the basic spirit of the holiday, especially that of the upcoming Simchas Torah celebration. This was a deliberate decision by our sages.
The following from Dr. Michael Fox’s interpretation of Ecclesiastes [JPS, 2004] should further prove this point from a contemporary source that will surprise some. Consider the following quote and, as you read it, try to guess its source.
“Ecclesiastes was written to defend two doctrines of natural philosophy: providence and immortality of the soul. Koheleth shows the inadequacy of worldly wisdom when this is not supplemented by the superior truths of revealed religion, as imparted in the Torah.”
“Koheleth is in dialogue with skeptics and unbelievers, some of whose statements he cites in order to refute or to expose their unfortunate consequences. The book’s conclusions: We should choose the middle path and develop all our faculties; the Torah calls for a balance between fear of G-d on the one hand and love and joy on the other; and pursuit of wealth is acceptable if combined with the study of Torah and good deeds.”
After reading this observation one can speculate that its author was an advocate of a chareidi-based point of view. Alas, the source of this quote was none other than the famous Moses Mendelssohn, the leading philosopher of Jewish modernism at the turn of the 18th to 19th centuries. His tradition-based observation may prove to be a surprise to some, but in truth, this was a reflection of his true philosophy of our faith.
Other commentaries and observations to be found in this volume will enable you to come to view Koheles in a very different and more respectful light. Read and learn.
As we are about to hear our rabbis’ Shabbos Shuvah deroshos (lectures) and prepare for the observance of Yom Kippur, may I take this opportunity to extend to all our readers a G’mar Chasimah Tovah and may you all have a meaningful fast.