Year with the Sages

Rabbi Reuven Hammer is a former dean of the Israel programs of the Jewish Theological Seminary in Jerusalem and a founding director of the Institute for Jewish Studies, today the Schechter Institute. He is the author of many books, including Entering the High Holy Days: A Complete Guide to the History, Prayers, and Themes (JPS, 2005); Sifre: A Taanaitic Commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy; and Akiva: Life, Legend, Legacy (JPS, 2015).

“Any publication by Rabbi Reuven Hammer is cause for celebration. His wisdom, warmth, and depth are treasures. A Year with the Sages is exceptional-the contemporary sage, Rabbi Hammer, guides us in walking the path of the ancient sages.”-Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University “Reuven Hammer examines a portion of each week’s Torah and holiday readings in a unique tripartite fashion-Explanation, Exposition of Sages, and Personal Reflections-offering us his in-depth knowledge of Torah, erudite mastery of Rabbinic sources, and enlightening reflections. The end result-A Year with the Sages-is a truly valuable contribution to us all.”-Shalom M. Paul, professor emeritus in Bible studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem “A Year with the Sages offers a learned, relevant, and eloquent reaction to each weekly Torah portion for the entire year. These essays are insightful in preparing for Bible study classes, for sermonic presentations, and for an ongoing rhythm of engagement with sacred texts. Rabbi Hammer’s breadth of knowledge combines scholarship with current-day life wisdom. This is a worthy addition to both personal and communal Jewish libraries.”-Rabbi Alan Silverstein, president of Mercaz Olami, past president of the International Rabbinical Assembly and of Masorti Olami “Hammer sheds insightful light on the meaning of Torah for both the rabbinic period and our time.”-Rabbi Steven Reuben, senior rabbi emeritus of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in Pacific Palisades, California “Hammer has chosen his rabbinic texts wisely; his comments are both scholarly and contemporary and offer us meaningful life lessons.”-Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois, and author of Encountering Torah: Reflections on the Weekly Portion

• AcknowledgementsIntroductionI. Genesis (Bere'shit)Bere'shit-A Fence Too TallNoaḥ–Human NatureLekh Lekha–Making SoulsVa-yera'-Loving One AnotherḤayyei Sarah–Sarah's TentToledot–The Voice of JacobVa-yetse'–The PlaceVa-yishlaḥ-Jacob's DilemmaVa-yeshev–Joseph the YouthMikkets–The Dangers of PowerVa-yiggash–Learning with a SageVa-yeḥi–No Unworthy ChildrenII. Exodus (Shemot)Shemot–Where Was God?Va-'era'–Steeped in IdolatryBo'–Divine ProtectionBe-shallaḥ–A Surfeit of PrayerYitro–Diminishing the ImageMishpatim–Mitzvot with MeaningTerumah–Creating the SanctuaryTetsavveh–For Whom the Light BurnsKi Tissa'–Sin and ReconciliationVa-yak'hel–Enough GoldPekudei–The Symbol of ForgivenessIII. Leviticus (Va-yikra')Va-yikra'–Sacrifices: Then and NowTsav–Concern for our WelfareShemini–Alien FireTazria'–Dealing with ImpurityMetsora'–Speaking Evil'Aḥarei Mot-Attaining AtonementKedoshim–The Essence of Torah'Emor-Barbaric ConductBe-har–Do No WrongBe-ḥukkotai-The HopeIV. Numbers (Be-midbar)Be-midbar–Surviving the WildernessNaso'-Great Is PeaceBe-ha'alotekha–The Evil TongueShelaḥ-Lekha–Fringe BenefitsKoraḥ-Controversies Proper and ImproperḤukkat-A Perplexing LawBalak-The Ways of PeacePinḥas–Respecting DifferenceMattot–People before WealthMas'ei–Defiling the LandV. Deuteronomy (Devarim)Devarim-Words of RebukeVa-'etḥannan-The Grace of God'Ekev–Searching for TruthRe'eh-One Sanctuary for the One GodShofetim–Justice for AllKi Tetse'–Cruelty vs. KindnessKi Tavo'–Coming to the LandNitsavim–Not in the HeavensVa-yelekh–Caring for the FlockHa'azinu–Destruction, Vengeance, and VindicationVe-zo't ha-berakhah–The Death of MosesVI. HolidaysRosh Hashanah–Sound the ShofarYom Kippur–Sending Our Sins AwaySukkot–The Festival Par ExcellenceShemini Atzeret–Tarry a WhileSimchat Torah–The Never Ending CycleHanukkah-Light vs MightPurim–Why Not Bow Down?Pesach–Festival of Freedom–Yom ha-Shoah–The Cry of the LowlyYom ha-Atzmaut–Land of Milk and HoneyShavuot–The New CovenantSelected Bibliography