Tropeful

This week, we talk about endings in the Torah, as we celebrate ending the second book of the Torah, the Book of Exodus, with Parashat Pekudei. Chazak, Chazak, v'Nitchazeik!

This week, we are taking a special look at one prominent element that is in this week's Haftarah (Sephardic tradition - Isaiah 6:1-13; Ashkenazic tradition - Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6). Find the text here. The Torah portion for Parashat Yitro is also one of the most significant moments to look at from a tropeful perspective. I discussed many of these enlightening perspectives in the past which you can find in the episode for Yitro 5777.

Once again, this week, we take a look at how the trope delineates the interrogative. A question and then an answer.

It is the last Torah portion of 2021 or the first of 2022 … you decide! The focus this week is on the trope's connection to Moses' questioning of his abilities and his self-consciousness. (And I'm glad to be reviving the podcast!)

Tropeful is back (again)! This time, I am starting fresh with a Taste of Tropeful (about 5 mins of insights per episode). We can do this! Be Tropeful.

What’s in a name? How does trope connect to names to empower our understanding? The answer lies within. Find the texts discussed at these links: The end of Parashat Bereisheet discussed begins here (move to the 7th aliyah to reach the end of the portion) and Parashat Noach can be found here.

As we begin the Torah anew this year, I present a flashback to my very first episode of Tropeful on this week’s parashah. I went back and relistened to this episode and found it a refreshing and insightful throwback! :) In this new year, may you be Tropeful.

Insight into the process of chanting the entire Book of Jonah … in English.

We explore how simple and deliberate trope can make an important statement in this week's Haftarah. Find the text discussed here.

We focus on parallels found in this week's Haftarah portion, found in the Song of Deborah.

We take a look at the Haftarah this week -- for our very first time actually here on Tropeful. How is the poetic nature of the Haftarah reflected through the rhythm of the phrasing of the trope? This week's portion is a perfect example. And ... Join me for my Harmony in Unison performance tomorrow, August 31st at 8 pm EST/7 pm CST/5 pm PST.  You can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1768444576753418/?ref=br_rs. (And if you missed the live performance -- it is archived for your viewing pleasure anytime, anywhere!) 

Can you translate not only the text to English but the trope as well? Listen on, and I'll explain how you can and maybe even demonstrate it -- then the challenge becomes your own! Trope, Trope, shall you pursue.  It's Parashat Shoftim.

A week that I have been patiently waiting for -- the portion that includes the Shema and V'ahavta. Let's look at tradition and how it has carried us forward musically to this very day.

It's the end of the Book of Numbers.  It's a Double Portion!  It's the final appearance of our rare tropes, including the rarest of the rare ones!

We explore how trope facilitates connecting two separate portions and the art of flashback.

In the most controversial portion in the Book of Numbers, how does trope define one single moment? -- three words alone, where the trope is elemental in telling us much more.  Or, the trope at least leaves us with more essential questions.  

It's the fourth of five of our rare Mercha K'fulah (Double Mercha) tropes in the Torah. What does it do here and what does it mean? Listen on to find out!

I offer you a taste of Tropeful Torah this week as we center in on just three verses of Torah comprising the Priestly Benediction. As each verse grows in the amount of words it offers, what is happening with the trope and how does it literally embody the meaning of this blessing? It's all here this week. Come and study.

Patterns abound in this number laden opening of the census in the first portion of the appropriately titled Book of Numbers. This was the portion that began my journey into Tropeful Torah study and I think this is the most interesting week yet. Come and see why!

It's my bar mitzvah portion (Bechukotai, to be specific)! This is also one of the portions that initially sparked Tropeful ideas in my mind. Come and be enlightened as we end the third book of the Torah. Chazak, Chazak, v'nitchazeik! 

Another rare trope.  The most dramatic and tragic story in the Book of Leviticus.  Do they intersect?  Come and study Parashat Shemini Tropefully with us.  www.tropeful.net 

It's our final shalshelet :( ...  Wait, no, let's celebrate!  It's a shalshelet ordination! 

We begin the Book of Leviticus, and I first asked myself a question and found an answer! Now, I ask of all of you to engage with this Tropeful community and share your questions and insights this week! Leave your comment below the episode at tropeful.net (Apologies that this episode got delayed in its posting due to a technical issue.)

We are tracing the repetition of one specific trope pattern and phrase of text this week.  This is kind of where it all started for me!  The phrases that we are studying are: Exodus 35:6, 35:23, 35:25, 35:32, 35:35, 36:8, 36:35, 36:37, 38:18, 39:24, and 39:29.  Yes, all of those!  Find the text here: http://bit.ly/2ncHJRg 

Exploring the jovial nature of the trope for Megillat Esther.  There's a whole lot going on in the whole megillah! 

We explore the dynamic nature of chanting the Ten Commandments.

This week, we explore the extra special musical happenings within Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea.  

We look at the first example of text which foreshadows a continued theme later in our texts and an essential theme in the structure of our prayers -- redemption from Egypt.

As we begin moving through the Book of Exodus, I venture for the first time to explain how chanting in English can draw light back onto the original text. What does it tell us and what is the process I go through to create this?

We conclude the Book of Genesis by looking at the treatment of names in this final portion.

How does trope create and handle conclusions in phrases, verses, and aliyot? As we end one year and start another, I ask these more general questions in this week's episode.

Can one trope alone be pivotal and give us information in a singular moment? We explore that question this week in Parashat Vayeshev, the first of several portions exploring the story of Joseph. (Correction Note: I incorrectly introduced this portion in the recording as "Parashat Vayetzei.")

In the portion which I consider one of the most beautiful in the Torah, does the trope rise to this beauty? We explore a small section of Parashat Vayishlach to find out. Find the text discussed here: http://bit.ly/2hEH48u

How does a dream become reality? How is reality reflected in a dream? These are the essential questions of this week's portion. And the trope goes along with it. Find the text discussed here: http://bit.ly/2gMD04v

We focus this week on the dramatic rise at the end of the portion, where we see an elevation in both the trope and the plot.

You can find the text discussed in this episode here: http://bit.ly/2ftBenC

Tropeful explores how drama is created by the trope and how the trope responds to drama in the text. You also will hear the contrast between two systems of trope: the regular trope and the special system for the High Holidays. Find the text discussed here: http://bit.ly/2fC7qZQ

Tropeful explores how one specific trope creates meaning by singling out certain words in this portion. Find the text discussed here: http://bit.ly/2fBLMTC

Tropeful seeks to find meaning in the text of Parashat Noach through the perspective of the trope.

In the debut of the Tropeful podcast produced and hosted by Cantor David Reinwald, we explore how trope brings new insights and understanding to the first portion of the Torah, Parashat Bereisheet. Find the text discussed here: bit.ly/2f0yr6T