Talmud of America
My recent posts..."Talmud of America" Pardes Institute, a non-denominational study center based in Jerusalem, offers immersive Jewish learning around the world. One project is “Talmud of America,” which aims to illuminate and interpret, through Jewish eyes, some...
Twilight Zone
My recent posts...Twilight Zone בֵּין הַשְׁמָשׁוֹת Bein hashemashot, literally, between the suns. בֵּין הַשְׁמָשׁוֹת A twilight zone of time, or rather, out of time, between one day and the next. Our sages of old used this concept to explain certain miraculous...
When to Pray Yizkor
My recent posts...My edited comments from this past final day of Pesach. Ellie’s mom, Julia Helfman, died on her 95th birthday, December 24, 2025. This was the first Yizkor service Ellie feels obligated to attend. She said, “I’m now a member of a club I was not eager...
Timing
It had become a Kremer household Pesach tradition, or rather, a pre-Pesach tradition. Somewhere within a couple of days prior the first seder and noon on erev Pesach, something would go awry in the kitchen.
Singing at the Sea
Shirat Hayam, the song at the sea, is a magnificent biblical ode to God’s power in freeing the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It is the centerpiece of this week’s Torah reading.
In the spirit of song, most of the service this Shabbat morning will be sung. Old melodies, newer ones, even a few original tunes by Rabbi Kremer. Starting at 9:30 … come sing with us!
Also, this Shabbat is the anniversary of Cantor Ed Kulp’s Bar Mitzvah. Join us in celebration!
Pharaoh and the Egyptian army are drowned in the Sea of Reeds by Adonai. Moshe and the men of Israel burst out in song, shirat hayam, the Song at the Sea, a triumphal ode to Adonai’s wondrous powers:
אָשִׁירָה לַאֲדֹנָי כִּי גָאֹה גָּאָה
ASHIRA LADONAI KI GA’O GA’A
I will sing to Adonai for Adonai has triumphed mightily!
In contrast, Miryam, Moshe’s sister, leads the women in dance and song:
שִׁירוּ לַיְיָ כִּי גָאֹה גָּאָה
SHIRU LADONAI KI GA’O GA’A
Let us Sing to Adonai for Adonai has triumphed mightily!
Declaration and invitation.
The self and the collective.
Id and superego.
In exultation, alone or in concert, we praise God for the wonders in our lives.
Shabbat shalom! שבת שלום