News Alert
|
Get intelligent!
|
Main Menu
| Home |
| Radio Shows - LISTEN |
| Brad's Blog |
| Irwin's Blog |
| Brad In the Media |
| Irwin in the Media |
| Bridges TV - WATCH |
| Podcast |
| Forum |
Movies
Building Bridges: Abrahamic Perspectives on the World Today
with Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, Season II
Now Available on a 3-DVD Set
A first-ever 15-part series conceived by a rabbi for Bridges TV-American Muslim TV Network, the show brings together religious leaders of the three major Abrahamic faiths to grapple with the divisive issues splitting our traditions and country. Fast paced and tied to today's news, it gives viewers a deeper understanding of how people of faith see the world, and each other, with live interviews from the American public.
Price: $25.00 (3 DVD Set)
To order, click here.
Members Login
Podcast
Hirschfield & Kula and
IntelligentTalkRadio.com
is produced and managed by
Scott Newman Productions
| Brad Blog Sept. 24, 2007 |
|
|
| Monday, 24 September 2007 | |
   
Holiest Moment of the Day
By Brad Hirschfield
Despite a constitutional resistance to using superlatives, in this case, the use of two in a single line is not only justified but holds the key to understanding the most common practice connected to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. And its popularity is not even limited to Jews.
Called the Sabbath of Sabbaths by the Hebrew bible, Yom Kippur is often labeled the holiest day of the year. But it’s most popular ritual is not going to the synagogue, it’s not fasting, and it’s not hearing the final blast of the ram’s horn which ends the tens days of repentance in the Hebrew calendar. The most popular and I believe holiest moment of the holiday occurs when friends and family gather, as they will all across the world this Saturday night, to break the fast with a joyous feast, even with those who have not been fasting! Why do so many people eagerly attend a break fast meal, even if they have not observed the fast itself or any of the other holiday traditions? It’s not simply because they are looking for a free bagel with lox and cream cheese. They are drawn by a wonderful intuition tapping directly into the spiritual message of Yom Kippur. They are there because they know what so few are taught by most religious leaders, that Yom Kippur is a joyous day which reminds us that any God worthy of our belief loves us unconditionally, is ready to forgive any wrongdoing doing, and always offers another chance. Traditional practice of the day’s restrictions – no food, drink, bathing, lovemaking, or work, spent largely in prayer and meditation, wrapped in white robes and prayer shawls reminiscent of how angels are commonly pictured – reflect a kind of mini-death from which one emerges born again into a new year and a fresh start. The break fast celebrates our return to our selves, to our bodies, to our daily lives, and reminds us that they are all sacred, worthy of celebration and filled with potential. It is for that awareness that we have been practicing for the past long day. We literally leave our lives behind for twenty four hours so that we can pick them up again with new hope and confidence for the year ahead. In my home, we return from the synagogue often joined by many who have not been at all, and together raise a glass (and a bagel) shouting l’chaim, to life! And if that is not the holiest moment of the holiest day, then I don’t know what is. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Read more Brad at Beliefnet.com
| May- June 2008 |
|
CNN Radio “The Paula Gordon Show” 6/21/08
PBS TV: The Jewish People: A Story of Survival, an original one-hour film explores these themes of resilience, fortitude and achievement of the Jewish people, moving chronologically over four millennia. Featuring Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, it is hosted by Martha Teichner, Senior Correspondent for “CBS News/Sunday Morning.”
5/7/08 WLIW NYC
6/1/08 WETA DC
6/2/08 WHYY, Philadelphia
6/4/08 KOCE, LA
6/5/08 WTTW, CHI
WORT-FM (Madison) “A Public Affair” 5/8/08
KPBS (San Diego) “These Days” 5/22/08 |
| April, 2008 |
|
WRPI-FM (Albany) “In the Spirit” 4/24/08
Open Court Tru-TV (formerly Court TV) 4/16/08
The Morning Show, Wisconsin Public Radio 4/15/08
Religion News Service 4/15/08
Brad ranks #37 in Newsweek's 50 most influential Rabbis in America 4/11/08
The Jewish News (New Orleans), 4/11/08
The Journal News (Gannet Westchester) 4/5/08
The Norman Transcript (Oklahoma) 4/4/08
|
| April - June 2008 |
|
The Detroit Jewish News Online 6/13/08
Voice of America 6/11/08
“In the Spirit” WRPI- FM (Albany) 6/5/08
The Mitch Albom Show WJR-AM, Detroit 6/2/08
KOOP-FM (Austin) Soul Talk 4/17/08
The Drive with Steve Fast on WJBC (Central Illinois) April 14
Maria Sanchez Show on KVTA (Ventura, CA) April 14
Irwin ranks #7 in Newsweek's 50 most influential Rabbis in America 4/11/08
The Jeff Farias Show, on Nova M Radio Network (Phoenix) April 10
The Pope’s visit with the Jewish community, and the sacredness of paying our taxes on the Louie B. Free Show Tuesday, April 8 at 2:05 pm EST, WASN, WRBP, and WGFT (all in the Cleveland/Pittsburgh area)
|
| Arizona Daily Star 3/7/08 |
|
Brad & Irwin in the Arizona Daily Star 3/7/08 |