Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 17h

Oh I would eat the HECK out of this. Wow that sounds good. These are a few of my favorite things.

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 1d

This is atrocious. I'd like to go off on how our tradition actually reads the בֵּן סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה verses -- Talmud reinterprets that teaching so radically! -- but my righteous indignation at other people misusing our scripture is way less important than simply saying: this is just wrong. Period.

Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 2d

A White Christian nationalist pastor argued recently on a right-wing podcast that the Bible--specifically Deuteronomy 21, about how a father must bring his rebellious son to the town square to be stoned--justifies state violence against Black boys and young men.

www.theroot.com/why-this-whi...

Article from "The Root" by Asheea Smith. Published October 8, 2025

1 4 27

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 1d

oh, gross. eww. why are people like this.

2

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 1d

Yeah, ewwww.

1 6

Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 2d

New — I was fortunate to speak in front of students and faculty at Grinnell College in Iowa tonight about the business of independent journalism, the current state of media under Trump 2.0, and billionaire control.

I published my full speech because I thought it might resonate beyond campus:

Truth, morality and independence in journalism under the second Trump regime

My full remarks to students and faculty at Grennell College.

www.thehandbasket.co

29 300 1.5K

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

Deeply grateful to Elissa Wald for featuring my poetry in JUDITH magazine -- and to all of the artists whose gorgeous artwork accompanies my words!
judithmagazine.substack.com/p/under-this...

Under This Roof That Lets In Rain

Introducing the poetry of Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

judithmagazine.substack.com

3 6

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

These two headline sentences next to each other are a great encapsulation of the cognitive dissonance of this moment.

NPR @npr.org · 2d

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of a ceasefire deal. And, hundreds of National Guard troops were deployed to the greater Chicago area at President Trump's request. n.pr/46ZzgqK

Israel and Hamas reach initial ceasefire deal. And, National Guard arrive near Chicago

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of a ceasefire deal. And, hundreds of National Guard troops were deployed to the greater Chicago area at President Trump's request.

n.pr

3 7

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

This thread is fascinating.

derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 2d

Have you ever noticed that old clothes online sometimes look better than old clothes in your closet?

Why is that? 🧵

4

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

(2/2) I'm praying for best outcomes: in tiny self-centered ways (please God let us figure out what's causing these mini-strokes) and in the biggest ways I know how, for the whole wounded world.

4 26

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

I'm sitting today in cognitive dissonance: I feel okay right now, and a week ago I landed in the hospital because I literally couldn't speak. The national news breaks my heart; the hope of peace and a better future glues my heart back together. (1/2)

3 33

Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Rabbi Emily Cohen @thatrabbicohen.bsky.social · 2d

While we've passed the 2nd secular anniversary of October 7th, the Hebrew one— Simchat Torah— is next week. If this report is true, there will truly be reason to rejoice in community on Tuesday night.

Nothing can bring back the dead, but we can work to repair our world for the living.

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 2d

BREAKING: Hamas will release all 20 living hostages this weekend, AP sources say, as Israelis will withdraw from majority of Gaza.

Israel, Hamas agree to 'first phase' of plan to end fighting, release hostages, Trump says

President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first Phase” of his peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.

bit.ly

9 42

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

I am speechless.

1 1

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

אמן ואמן

1 4

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

Haha, yes to all of these!

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

+1 to this

1 3

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 2d

Oh, wow, that is fascinating. And totally news to me.

1

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 3d

This is well-articulated and I feel it with you.

1

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

I don't have the words to express all the things I'm feeling on this #October7 as the bombardment of #Gaza continues and hostages continue to languish. I'm going to stay quiet and let others speak. Here's a sign from #StandingTogether.

5 10

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

Chag #sukkot sameach!

The window of a sukkah looks out on autumn trees and sunlight. Hanging decorations adorn.

Two sparkly pumpkins, a lulav and etrog, and a coffee. In a sukkah.

13

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

I love the ribbons!

1

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

I am totally in favor of a graham cracker and chocolate sukkah. My kid and I made a gingerbread sukkah one time. Delicious. :)

1 2

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

I love it!

1

Reposted by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

Dave Bonta @davebonta.bsky.social · 4d

Despite everything, poetry. With @webbish6.bsky.social @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social @ren-powell.bsky.social @garybarwin.bsky.social @thepoetslizard.bsky.social @jamesmcconachie1.bsky.social @oyoguhito.bsky.social @robmclennan.bsky.social @emmalee1.bsky.social 3/3
www.vianegativa.us/2025/10/poet...

Poetry Blog Digest 2025, Week 40

A personal selection of posts from the Poetry Blogging Network and beyond.

www.vianegativa.us

4 2 9

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 4d

May there be joy in our #Sukkot, even in a year like this one. Especially in a year like this one. (Hey everbody, show me your #sukkah! I love seeing other people's sukkot all over the world.) #ZmanSimchateinu

A small sukkah is illuminated from within with autumnal string lights and leaf cut-outs and papel picado flags. It is on a deck, about 20 feet above the ground. Behind it, a tall conifer stands alongside the full moon of Sukkot.

4 3 50

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat @velveteenrabbi.bsky.social · 5d

"Two years ago I wrote this pair of poems during Sukkot. My shul’s music director Adam Green set them to music..."
A new blog post featuring two love poems for Sukkot that still make my heart sing.

velveteenrabbi.com/2025/10/06/f...

Fragile rejoicing – songs for Sukkot

Two years ago I wrote this pair of poems during Sukkot. My shul’s music director Adam Green set them to music, and our community choir sang them at our Tu biShvat concert last year: As soon a…

velveteenrabbi.com

5