Here are a few more pics of @RebLizzi and I leading Shabbat services at the #FamiliesBelongTogther Chicago March that various people got. And the very good @SenatorDurbin made it to services too (kind of by accident, but hey, I'll take it).
Was honored to be tapped as part of the clergy team marching at the front of the #FamiliesBelongTogther march--you can see my short, sweaty profile behind the marshal with the orange stripes. There are probably better pics out there somewhere, I dunno.
And I *think* it'll work for you to see part of my sermon? Maybe? Or maybe it's friends-locked? Not sure. I'll tweet it out tomorrow (too tired now) if I remember. Or if you remind me. facebook.com/kalman.resnick…
Anyway, despite the scorching, dangerous heat it was an honor to join all however many many thousands of you all around the country who showed up today to demand human rights for all humans.
We're going to have to fight hard, and there will be costs. But it's our only choice.
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Prayers only said with a minyan: Kaddish (all of them), Barechu, Torah reading stuff, and reader’s repetition of the Amidah (incl notably Kedusha). Everything else pretty much you say at home even wo minyan.
If you want to develop a daily prayer practice at home, a few tips: 1) start slow and add.
Ibn Gabirol says that “anger is a reprehensible quality, but when employed to correct or to reprove, or because of indignation at the performance of transgressions, it becomes laudable.”
Or Audre Lorde: “Every woman has a well-stocked arsenal of anger potentially useful against those oppressions, personal and institutional, which brought that anger into being. Focused with precision it can become a powerful source of energy serving progress and change.”
The only question is, how will you choose to focus it? Your time—your energy—your talents—your money. Plenty of places to put it.
Alas! Lonely sits the city Once great with people! She that was great among nations Is become like a widow...
Bitterly she weeps in the night, Her cheek wet with tears. There is none to comfort her Of all her friends. All her allies have betrayed her; They have become her foes.
All the precious things she had In the days of old Jerusalem recalled In her days of woe and sorrow, When her people fell by enemy hands With none to help her; When enemies looked on and gloated Over her downfall.
The foe has laid hands On everything dear to her. She has seen her Sanctuary Invaded by nations Which You have denied admission Into Your community.
We’re in the Book of Esther. Ahasverus is the Persian king of “127 provinces from India to Ethiopia.” The book opens with a massive party, and a party-within-a-party to boot.
It was kind of like a rager at Georgetown Prep:
”And the rule for the drinking was, “No restrictions!” For the king had given orders to every palace steward to comply with each man’s wishes.”
So Joseph has been sold into slavery by his brothers (v loving move there, guys) and works for Potiphar. Potiphar was a rich Egyptian, Joseph was a foreigner who was literally his property. Yes Joseph wound up with a lot of responsibility, but in context as an enslaved foreigner.
Potiphar’s wife decided she wanted him sexually, approached him repeatedly, was rebuffed. One day he fled an advance and she was left holding his garment, lied that he tried to assault her, got him thrown in jail.
And you shall rejoice in your festival, you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow, who are inside your gates. -- Deuteronomy 16
It's about rejoicing, not having joy. What are the things to do? You bring people together. You have a gathering. You are not alone.