Related Posts

Rabbi, please continue to teach

Rachel does it again. I’ve been sitting on this post for too long. The Islamic tradition, according to Qur’anic injunction (17:78-79), is for three times prayer, dawn, just before sunset and just after sunset. And of course, many Muslims have seen the little prayer books for the pre-anything prayers, including going to the bathroom. Recently found one for a dua to say before having sex. Who says we’re a repressed people? Rachel’s post, and the obvious similarities to Muslim traditions, got me thinking about the meaning of ritual. The idea of using a symbolic language, in this instance ritual, is…

The Cordoba Initiative

I would like to direct your attention to the Cordoba Initiative. Although their tagline “Improving Muslim-West Relations” would have you think that they are unaware of the last generation of civilizational debates and identity politics, they actually show a lot of potential. There are some good people working there and their contacts are deep. Poke around, have fun, and tell them to change their tagline. The best part is that they promise to be a media portal. If they would only supply donuts, I would be truly happy.

Arrival Day

Jonathan of Head Heeb fame writes about a blogburst for Arrival Day, the day 350 years when Jews first came to America. Once more New York stands at the forefront of American history (sorry, needed a little bit of New York purity after being defiled by the RNC last week). I remember growing up in a religiously diverse neighborhood, and knowing what both a menorahand christmas tree were at around the same time; wanting latkes all year-round; having a small dreidel collection. One of my friends growing up was named David, a Russian Jew who I thought was cool because…