]> http://www.shalomctr.org/taxonomy/term/79/all en http://www.shalomctr.org/node/1050 <p>Rabbi Arthur Waskow</p> <p><H2>In the Dangerous Doorways</H2><br /> <B>By Arthur Waskow*</B> </p> <p>Twice in the Torah, we are taught to place upon our doorways (for which the Hebrew is "mezuzot") some words that "I [God] command you this day." These words are also to appear between our eyes, upon our hands, and upon our gates. </p> Fri, 18 Nov 2005 11:31:34 -0500 http://www.shalomctr.org/node/219 <p>Rabbi Arthur Waskow</p> <p><strong>When Torah Says the Breath of Life is ONE:<br /> 2d Paragraph of Sh'ma </strong></p> <p>This week, the Jewish reading of the Torah moves deeper into the Book of Deuteronomy. One of the powerful passages in this week's portion is Deuteronomy 11: 13-21 -- so powerful that in traditional prayer-books, it was treated as the second paragraph that comes just after the Sh'ma – the affirmation/ reminder of God's unity.</p> <p>In quite direct translation, it says:</p> <p>"If you hear, yes hear (shamoa tishma'u) the commandments/ connections (mitzvot) that today I command you/ connect you to, to love YHWH/ the Breath of Life your God and to serve Him [sic] with all your heart and every breath, then I will rain upon the earth in its right-time, autumn rain that falls like an arrow and the soaking rains of winter, and you will gather in your grain, your wine, and your olive oil. I will give grass in your fields for your cattle. And you will eat and be satisfied.</p> Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:03:55 -0400