David Seidenberg
@neohasid.bsky.social
Musician, dancer, rabble-rouser. Creator of neohasid.org and author of Kabbalah and Ecology. Also I'm a rabbi -- smikhah from JTS and from Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.
Reposted by David Seidenberg
אֵיךְ אֶשְׁאָל | Eikh esh’al (How can I ask?), a piyyut responding to the war by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid·org) opensiddur.org?p=63672
אֵיךְ אֶשְׁאָל | Eikh esh’al (How can I ask?), a piyyut responding to the war by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid·org) • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ
Rabbi David Seidenberg writes, "This piyyut is a response to what I think of as the second war with Gaza since October 7, the one started on March 18, 2025, when Israel broke the ceasefire. At that po...
opensiddur.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:00 AM
אֵיךְ אֶשְׁאָל | Eikh esh’al (How can I ask?), a piyyut responding to the war by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid·org) opensiddur.org?p=63672
CECOT is a concentration camp prison designed to torture and disappear people permanently. Disappearing people is also about disappearing memory of our common humanity. CECOT IS designed to violate human rights, which means that every ICE deportation to there is also unjust and illegal.
April 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM
CECOT is a concentration camp prison designed to torture and disappear people permanently. Disappearing people is also about disappearing memory of our common humanity. CECOT IS designed to violate human rights, which means that every ICE deportation to there is also unjust and illegal.
Reposted by David Seidenberg
Haggadah of the Inner Seder for 2025 and it is now available on neohasid at: neohasid.org/zman/pesach/... Learn the deep structure of the Seder, along with questions related to peace and justice, commentaries, midrash and Sefardi customs.
NeoHasid.org | Haggadah of the Inner Seder, 2025
"The Inner Seder" reveals the deep structure of the haggadah, explaining not just what things mean but how they work. Zoom seder includes these cues, along with Jewish customs around the world. Unders...
neohasid.org
April 8, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Haggadah of the Inner Seder for 2025 and it is now available on neohasid at: neohasid.org/zman/pesach/... Learn the deep structure of the Seder, along with questions related to peace and justice, commentaries, midrash and Sefardi customs.
Haggadah of the Inner Seder for 2025 and it is now available on neohasid at: neohasid.org/zman/pesach/... Learn the deep structure of the Seder, along with questions related to peace and justice, commentaries, midrash and Sefardi customs.
NeoHasid.org | Haggadah of the Inner Seder, 2025
"The Inner Seder" reveals the deep structure of the haggadah, explaining not just what things mean but how they work. Zoom seder includes these cues, along with Jewish customs around the world. Unders...
neohasid.org
April 8, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Haggadah of the Inner Seder for 2025 and it is now available on neohasid at: neohasid.org/zman/pesach/... Learn the deep structure of the Seder, along with questions related to peace and justice, commentaries, midrash and Sefardi customs.
Unity Is Strength put out a Peace Haggadah -- the unique thing about this haggadah is that it incorporates relevant commentary and writings by Palestinians as well as by Jews. The link to learn more is:
unityisstrength.io/peace-passov...
unityisstrength.io/peace-passov...
April 8, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Unity Is Strength put out a Peace Haggadah -- the unique thing about this haggadah is that it incorporates relevant commentary and writings by Palestinians as well as by Jews. The link to learn more is:
unityisstrength.io/peace-passov...
unityisstrength.io/peace-passov...
gift article on survivors www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/m...
The Holocaust Story I Said I Wouldn’t Write (Gift Article)
For years, my friend’s father asked me to recount his childhood escape from the Nazis. Why did it take me this long?
www.nytimes.com
April 7, 2025 at 1:03 PM
gift article on survivors www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/m...
Trashing government employment means attacking a segment of the population that in most cases chose public service over earning more money in the private sector. Those people tend to be motivated more by all the things Trump hates and wishes to harm. Not a side effect of DOGE, but a purpose of.
March 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Trashing government employment means attacking a segment of the population that in most cases chose public service over earning more money in the private sector. Those people tend to be motivated more by all the things Trump hates and wishes to harm. Not a side effect of DOGE, but a purpose of.
"What an age it is,
When to speak of trees is almost a crime,
For it is a kind of silence about atrocities and injustice!"
~ Bertolt Brecht
Nevertheless, we had a great Tu Bishvat seder in Northampton MA, almost 40 people, and we talked a lot about trees and about justice!
When to speak of trees is almost a crime,
For it is a kind of silence about atrocities and injustice!"
~ Bertolt Brecht
Nevertheless, we had a great Tu Bishvat seder in Northampton MA, almost 40 people, and we talked a lot about trees and about justice!
February 14, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"What an age it is,
When to speak of trees is almost a crime,
For it is a kind of silence about atrocities and injustice!"
~ Bertolt Brecht
Nevertheless, we had a great Tu Bishvat seder in Northampton MA, almost 40 people, and we talked a lot about trees and about justice!
When to speak of trees is almost a crime,
For it is a kind of silence about atrocities and injustice!"
~ Bertolt Brecht
Nevertheless, we had a great Tu Bishvat seder in Northampton MA, almost 40 people, and we talked a lot about trees and about justice!
On hold with the ICE tip line to report Elon Musk. (What I did last Friday. No one ever picked up, but at least I tied up the system a little bit.)
February 14, 2025 at 3:32 PM
On hold with the ICE tip line to report Elon Musk. (What I did last Friday. No one ever picked up, but at least I tied up the system a little bit.)
Ethnic cleansing is a war crime and a crime against humanity.
February 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Ethnic cleansing is a war crime and a crime against humanity.
OHALAH Renewal clergy conference after the news of a ceasefire and hostage deal. I pray the felt hope was not premature. The announcement came in the middle of a panel on how rabbis/rabbinic pastors have been working with their communities post-Oct 7.
January 16, 2025 at 12:32 PM
OHALAH Renewal clergy conference after the news of a ceasefire and hostage deal. I pray the felt hope was not premature. The announcement came in the middle of a panel on how rabbis/rabbinic pastors have been working with their communities post-Oct 7.
Which do you like better, Thanksgivukkah or Chrismukkah?
December 31, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Which do you like better, Thanksgivukkah or Chrismukkah?
Just as Chanukah marks the turning point in the year from growing darkness to growing light, may it also mark for us this year a turning point from war and killing and curse, toward peace and blessing and hope...
opensiddur.org?p=59374
opensiddur.org?p=59374
A Prayer for All Eight Nights of Ḥanukkah, by Rabbi David Seidenberg (neohasid.org, 2024) • the Open Siddur Project ✍ פְּרוֺיֶקְט הַסִּדּוּר הַפָּתוּחַ
Eight qualities are mentioned in the prayer: Peace, Blessing, Hope, Return, Promise, Strength, Life, Courage. You can pick one to focus on each night. (You can do them in the order they appear in if y...
opensiddur.org
December 27, 2024 at 2:34 AM
Just as Chanukah marks the turning point in the year from growing darkness to growing light, may it also mark for us this year a turning point from war and killing and curse, toward peace and blessing and hope...
opensiddur.org?p=59374
opensiddur.org?p=59374
RABBINIC AND MACCABEAN miracles for Chanukah involve fire – but not the same fire. For the rabbis, Chanukah was a festival of lights, chag urim, in the plural, celebrating the Temple menorah. The Hasmoneans celebrated a different fire, the fire of the altar.
blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-menorah-...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-menorah-...
The Blogs: The Menorah, Part 3: Rabbis vs. Maccabees, Light vs. Fire
From the blog of David Seidenberg at The Times of Israel
blogs.timesofisrael.com
December 25, 2024 at 11:32 PM
RABBINIC AND MACCABEAN miracles for Chanukah involve fire – but not the same fire. For the rabbis, Chanukah was a festival of lights, chag urim, in the plural, celebrating the Temple menorah. The Hasmoneans celebrated a different fire, the fire of the altar.
blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-menorah-...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-menorah-...
Penny murdered Neely - what does Torah say about Penny getting off scot-free?
blogs.timesofisrael.com/turning-back...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/turning-back...
The Blogs: Turning up like a bad penny: Penny murdered Neely
From the blog of David Seidenberg at The Times of Israel
blogs.timesofisrael.com
December 10, 2024 at 5:50 PM
Penny murdered Neely - what does Torah say about Penny getting off scot-free?
blogs.timesofisrael.com/turning-back...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/turning-back...
Reposted by David Seidenberg
For Hanukkah: triganza.blogspot.com/2021/10/in-p...
In Praise of the Dark
New modern and often personal Jewish tefillah and kavanot (prayers and intentions) written by writer/performer and rabbinic student, Trisha Arlin.
triganza.blogspot.com
December 9, 2024 at 2:25 PM
For Hanukkah: triganza.blogspot.com/2021/10/in-p...
Reposted by David Seidenberg
donate.rhr.org.il/rhr_24/468247
Dear family, friends and colleagues,
Even before my ordination 14 years ago, I have been a strong supporter of Rabbis for Human Rights. This month, I am joining the RHR campaign, Turning Hope into Action, which has a goal of raising $100,000 /1
Dear family, friends and colleagues,
Even before my ordination 14 years ago, I have been a strong supporter of Rabbis for Human Rights. This month, I am joining the RHR campaign, Turning Hope into Action, which has a goal of raising $100,000 /1
Together, we can turn hope into action.
Your donation fuels this critical work. This coming year we will continue to build a future grounded in justice, equality, and peace for all.
donate.rhr.org.il
December 9, 2024 at 9:11 AM
donate.rhr.org.il/rhr_24/468247
Dear family, friends and colleagues,
Even before my ordination 14 years ago, I have been a strong supporter of Rabbis for Human Rights. This month, I am joining the RHR campaign, Turning Hope into Action, which has a goal of raising $100,000 /1
Dear family, friends and colleagues,
Even before my ordination 14 years ago, I have been a strong supporter of Rabbis for Human Rights. This month, I am joining the RHR campaign, Turning Hope into Action, which has a goal of raising $100,000 /1
Baby corn, green peas, bamboo shoots, cashews and snap peas in vindaloo sauce. Very pretty.
December 5, 2024 at 1:25 AM
Baby corn, green peas, bamboo shoots, cashews and snap peas in vindaloo sauce. Very pretty.
Reposted by David Seidenberg
As a veteran, I can tell you this: They have no f*cking idea of the backlash this would create. If they start taking away the promised benefits of people who are already depressed and pissed off 3/4 of the time...
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
A push to cut veterans disability benefits is gaining traction, experts warn
Many Americans don’t understand how difficult it is for veterans to prove that their health conditions stem from their military service.
taskandpurpose.com
December 4, 2024 at 7:17 PM
As a veteran, I can tell you this: They have no f*cking idea of the backlash this would create. If they start taking away the promised benefits of people who are already depressed and pissed off 3/4 of the time...
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
There’s a custom to gaze at the menorah. Gazing at the Hanukkah candles or oil lamps becomes a kind of fixing for the eyes, a training in how to see.
The same thing can happen when you gaze at the heavens. It turns out that you have to retune your eyes and your mind to see through a telescope.
The same thing can happen when you gaze at the heavens. It turns out that you have to retune your eyes and your mind to see through a telescope.
Starlight and menorah light: Three Hanukkah teachings about holy darkness
From the blog of David Seidenberg at The Times of Israel
blogs.timesofisrael.com
December 1, 2024 at 8:02 PM
There’s a custom to gaze at the menorah. Gazing at the Hanukkah candles or oil lamps becomes a kind of fixing for the eyes, a training in how to see.
The same thing can happen when you gaze at the heavens. It turns out that you have to retune your eyes and your mind to see through a telescope.
The same thing can happen when you gaze at the heavens. It turns out that you have to retune your eyes and your mind to see through a telescope.
The hostages held by Hamas are being used as a bargaining chip not just by Hamas, but also by Netanyahu, in order for him to get away with prolonging the war, in order to keep bending the Israeli public to adopt the perspective he wants them to have on the war.
November 26, 2024 at 7:32 AM
The hostages held by Hamas are being used as a bargaining chip not just by Hamas, but also by Netanyahu, in order for him to get away with prolonging the war, in order to keep bending the Israeli public to adopt the perspective he wants them to have on the war.
When he goes to bury Sarah, Abraham describes himself as having no rights in the land: "I am a stranger and sojourner with/among you” (Gen. 23:4). He asks the tribe of the Hittites to acknowledge not his power but his vulnerability...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-you-a-fr...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-you-a-fr...
November 22, 2024 at 2:57 PM
When he goes to bury Sarah, Abraham describes himself as having no rights in the land: "I am a stranger and sojourner with/among you” (Gen. 23:4). He asks the tribe of the Hittites to acknowledge not his power but his vulnerability...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-you-a-fr...
blogs.timesofisrael.com/are-you-a-fr...
Thought I would start with a non-political post, since the next one will be very political. Pizza on Afghani flat bread with okra, kofteh (spicy veg "meatballs"), and shiitake. I rarely post food pics but once in a while there's something special to share.
November 22, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Thought I would start with a non-political post, since the next one will be very political. Pizza on Afghani flat bread with okra, kofteh (spicy veg "meatballs"), and shiitake. I rarely post food pics but once in a while there's something special to share.