Enjoying a Day of Tanach/Bible at Herzog

For my summer treat, I signed up for a day at Michlelet Herzog, Herzog College's Tanach/Bible Yom Iyun. It's not cheap, and next year I may try a different program.

But I must admit that some of my favorite Tanach teachers are at Herzog, and I like the fact that I can study in both Hebrew and English. OK most classes I sign up for are in English. When you're dealing with five challenging and information filled lectures in one day choosing native tongue is a wise decision.  It's much easier to absorb the material.

To be perfectly honest, there were times I not only couldn't follow, but I even dozed off. But please remember that I had spent the day before at Kenes Shiloh, which not only was full of lectures until late at night, but began with a tour/hike in the hot sun.

I'm glad that I went to Herzog, even though I wasn't the ideal student. FYI the shiurim/lectures will be posted on their site. I plan on listening to them over and over. That way I'll really get my money's worth.

If you attended, what was your experience?

9 Days Rather Ironic, Fish Yes, Chicken No

Jewish Life is now in the midst of the "9 Days," a time of national mourning. From the 17th of the Jewish Month of Tammuz, until the 9, or more accurately the 10th, of the month of Av, we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temples and our exile from the Land of Israel.

Restrictions get more intense and end with a 25 hour fast on the 9th of Av. Restrictions during the 9 days include no parties, weddings, new clothes, listening to music, swimming for enjoyment, drinking wine and eating meat or poultry. You can eat fish.

I know that it's not the same all over the world, especially when people follow the Laws of Kashrut. Here in Israel a meat, especially poultry, meal cost less than a fish meal. Fish is very expensive here, whether buying it in the supermarket or a restaurant meal. Good cheeses also cost more. A very satisfying and pleasant meal in my favorite meat restaurant cost less than a similar fish meal in my favorite fish restaurant.

It's so ironic that the less expensive animal protein is forbidden as a sign of mourning, while the more expensive one is permitted. Eating fish is generally a treat, while chicken is an everyday, ordinary bargain menu in our house. So the halacha makes little sense to me.

My guess is that in ancient times the slaughtering of an animal or bird and the ritual preparation of their meat, plus safe storage was rather complex and not frequent. If you lived where you could easily catch fish, that was less complicated.

What do you think?

salmon and vegetables 

GUEST POST: NINE DAYS

NINE DAYS
(a guest post by Mr. Cohen)

The Three Weeks are not mentioned in the Talmud. 

They were created in response to the massacres of
the Crusaders, which occurred seven centuries
[700 years] after the Talmud was sealed.

According to Sephardic Halachah, there are no

Three Weeks and no Nine Days; there is only
the week of Tisha BeAv; and when Tisha BeAv
is the day-after-Shabbat [Sunday], there is no
week of Tisha BeAv, there is only Tisha BeAv itself.

In our times many Sephardim abandon their own

Sephardic Halachah and also abandon their own
Sephardic pronunciation, because it is easier to
follow the majority. Many Sephardim, especially
those who attended Ashkenazic Yeshivot, do not
know that the Three Weeks and the Nine Days
are NOT Sephardic Halachah.

Other Sephardim assume [incorrectly] that when

it comes Halachah, stricter is always better, so
they abandon the lenient Sephardic Halachah
in favor of the often-stricter Ashkenazic Halachah.

Contrary to what many Jews believe, stricter

Halachah is NOT always better Halachah!
====================================
Sephardic Jews REJECT Reform Judaism:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/07/sephardim-reject-reform.html
====================================
The part of a fish locked inside that bony
triangle tucked between the gills is called
The Collar.  It is the most flavorful part
of the fish, but most fish stores do not sell
them because they are ugly.  Ask a fish store
for The Collar, you can probably buy it cheap.
Grilling and intense marinade are recommended.

SOURCE: Men’s Journal magazine, July 2018,

volume 27, number 7, page 24, article:
Hot Around the Collar by Adam Ence
====================================
Sephardic Jews REJECT Reform Judaism:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/07/sephardim-reject-reform.html
====================================
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FourCupsOfWine@gmail.com
THANK YOU!!
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The 17th of Tammuz, Fasting, The "Three Weeks" Have Begun

I wonder if Jews in the Southern Hemisphere have a better understanding of the Three Weeks.

The Three Weeks are bookended by two fast days, the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av. This time period corresponds with the Destruction of our (the Jewish) Holy Temples in Jerusalem.

It's summer here in Shiloh. Our local pool's schedule is geared to take Jewish Law as primary. During the Nine Days, when bathing for fun is forbidden, we can't use it for swimming. Only swimming lessons are allowed. Actually, one isn't supposed to start summer swimming in the week and a half between the 17th of Tammuz and the first of Av. If you've already gone swimming, you can continue, because it's "routine."

Kids who attend Jewish-Torah camps should get some idea of what's permitted during the three weeks and nine days, special programming for the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av. But those whose parents my not be a knowledgeable and aren't in a Torah framework, may not be aware.

So, back to my question. Do Jewish kids in Jewish schools in the southern hemisphere, where it's winter and they're in school, have a better knowledge of the laaws pertaining to the three weeks, nine days, 17th of Tammuz and 9th of Av?