Thoughts on Parashah Noach

8 Cheshvan, 5774

Thoughts on Parashah Noach:

-          Unlike Abraham and Moses, Noah utters not a single word in Humankind’s defense, nor does he even attempt to try to negotiate for Humankind’s redemption. And this is the figure that both The Torah and God see as the epitome of righteous during Biblical time? If so, what does this say about righteousness? That it does not include empathy or sympathy?

-          "What’s a cubit?"

-          It is interesting to note how the ancient Israelites (and other first readers of The Torah) imagined an ELE (Extinction-Level Event)…not by plague or invasion or assimilation or even Sarah Palin but by flood.

-          Gen. 7:8: “God then remembered Noah…” If we’re not indulging in anthropomorphism, then God does not forget (like I do every morning when searching for my keys). If God does not forget, what is God really doing when “God remembers” (which God will famously do with the pleading Israelites enslaved in Egypt.) Perhaps ‘remembering means acknowledging (which in of itself does not hinge on forgetting?) (Although it does carry its own value-laden meaning.)

-          Gen: 8:20: What is the significance of the animals in the Ark being pure at this point of The Torah? After all, there has been no mention of Kashrut Laws yet (which are derived from Leviticus and Deuteronomy) nor have there been any instructions regarding the individual’s or community’s state of purity/impurity (i.e. – handling a corpse).

-          Gen. 8: 21: God notes Human’s continued reverence even after surviving an apocalyptic event of God’s making…and through this revelation believes Humans transcend their own innate and inevitable “evil inclination”. (Yes, I will probably ponder this. For. The. Rest. Of My. Life.)

-          ******************************************************************************

The Babel Story

-          I love reading this tale as an anthropologic look at how the ancients struggled to understand diversity. 

-          I think The Women’s Commentary is spot-on in noting that, as per The Torah, God sees a danger in  cultural/societal homogeneity and does not condemn diversity as its remedy. (Although I am amused by the story’s implication that God understands Humankind will see Diversity and Homogeneity in the exact reverse.)

-          I think one cannot overemphasize God’s role as instructor here, for like any good professors, God pushes God’s students beyond the borders of their comfort zones, knowing this is the only lasting way they will learn. Welcome to The Struggle.

A New Spiritual Comfort Zone: Reflecting on the Pew Study

A New Spiritual Comfort Zone: Reflecting on the Pew Study

Thoughts on Parashah B'reishit

1 Cheshvan, 5774

And so the joyous music of Simchat Torah calls us Torah studiers back out onto the hardwood floor where we will be rendered near absolute-beginners for another (Jewish) calendar year. Let the dance (and the struggle) begin!

5774 starts my 4th go-around with the five Books of Moses and in acknowledging and celebrating that I have decided to spend the new year not just with The Torah but with “The Torah: A Women’s Commentary”. Sadly, we do not use this book during Torah Study, instead defaulting to either The Tanakh or the Modern Commentary/Plaut version. These are fine but honestly, their obvious male-centric narrative and lack of both a female perspective and feminist examination reveal (sometimes painfully) how deeply immersed in (sometimes oppressive) patriarchy these foundational books are. While this does not escape the attention of the rabbis who lead my Torah study it is not always their weekly focus either (although they would be the first to encourage introducing them relevantly into the discussions). 

Whether it is because of my renewed academic focus on feminism through my MA courses this semester or a need to find a new analytic lens for my Torah study, I am eager to listen and read the Torah through new voices and eyes. (Not only does the Women’s Commentary offer these via its fresh ideas and arguments, it also includes poetic interpretations and inspirations of the text which are for me are just as provocative, and ultimately moving as the editorials themselves.)

With this new directive I have just completed Parshah B’reishit. (Yes, I know I am a week behind, indicative of the amount of reading my MA program leaves on my desk) and am left with these observations and questions in its wake:

-          After eating the apple Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, yet it does not say they incurred shame from their nakedness (Genesis 3:7) – if I am reading the Hebrew correctly. Then by default is not what they are feeling by realizing their nakedness – which is really just the result of eating the forbidden fruit, the real transgression here – guilt? I think this is critical since guilt attaches itself to action (eating the apple) as opposed to shame, which clings to the person instead.

-          Genesis 3:6 – Wait – Adam was with Eve when the snake suggested a little consciousness-raising for dessert? Whoa, that little detail was de-emphasized in other retellings of the Creation Story I have come across.

-          Genesis 3:9 – God asks Adam - and through him, acknowledging the rest of humanity’s raised awareness – “Where ya at?” And my/your/our answer is…? (From a great Torah lesson with Rabbi Matt Soffer).

-          Genesis 3:16: Ah, so the hetero-normativity begins. (Not surprising given the historical and cultural contect of The Torah.)

-          Genesis 3:22: So God exiled Eve and Adam, not because they had eaten from The Tree of Knowledge but out of fear that because they had they might (inevitably) eat from The Tree of Life next? Which implies…?

-          P. 18’s commentary: “The gateway to the garden is closed, but the world has opened up.” And Eve says, “You’re welcome.”

-          Genesis 5: 1-27: How are we judging the length of time here? Genesis emphasizes the importance of a seven-day week but are we assuming a day is 24 hours? A year cannot be calculated as 365 days (the length of a Gregorian year) yet.

-          Genesis 6:1-4: Um, er, whaaaa….? Not sure if I am reading a Greek myth now, half-expecting Zeus to pop out from behind the curtains and wink at the audience. Of course, the placement of this passage informs the verses that follow – well, kinda maybe, but then, maybe not - but couldn’t that proceeding passage also stand alone?

And so the joyous music of Simchat Torah calls us Torah studiers back out onto the hardwood floor where we will be rendered near absolute-beginners for another (Jewish) calendar year. Let the dance (and the struggle) begin!

HOPE - Fountainheads - Yom Haatzmaut

So if you catch me dancing down Center St. or Huntington Ave. it's probably because I have downloaded this song...



I found it while searching for Rosh Hashannah videos (which Ein Prat Fountainheads can claim a great one here.) So yeah, has absolutely nothing to do with Sukkot or Simchat Torah, the remaining holidays in this season. Know what? Don't care. Too busy dancing.

Talking with Naomi Zeveloff, editor of the Forward’s transgender and Jewish series

Talking with Naomi Zeveloff, editor of the Forward’s transgender and Jewish series

Postcard from Elul, 5773

16, Elul, 5773 -

Welcome to the middle of Elul, that last month of the Jewish calendar, that runs right up to the shofar blast that announces the arrival of Rosh HaShanah and with it the Days of Awe, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, 5774 and...well, everything!

More than a place marker on a calendar, Elul has become a meaningful time for me as a Jew. My first year at Temple Israel of Boston I was still in the process of converting and undergoing some serious life challenges. I was afraid I would not be able to celebrate the High Holy Days with the congregation I was now thinking of as my Temple Family. So I was completely taken by surprise when the Rabbi I was converting with came up to me in the quiet before Shabbat services and handed me an envelope with a ticket to HHD services. My eyes grow hot with tears.

The following Elul was my first post-mikvah and the HHDs took on special relevance and reverence. I surprised a good many people by choosing to go to the more traditional Yellow-ticket service as opposed to the Temple's widely-regarded eclectic Purple-ticket service. (This was also the year I had just started a new hormone regiment which completely waylaid me in the middle of Yom Kippur prayers and I got to spend the afternoon in the local Emergency Room. One of my Rabbis checked in to see if I was okay. One more reason to <3 my Temple.)

Last Elul (5772) found me wandering in the middle of some heavy emotional strife, or what one of my Rabbis called a "wilderness moment". It was a pretty frightening place for me to find myself in, especially being so unaccustomed to processing feelings. I was able to talk to some of my Rabbis in the days before Rosh HaShanah and glean enough insight and garner enough spiritual strength to take those doubts and fears with me into the HHD and Days of Awe.

This Elul has been less dramatic than some past seasons but no less meaningful. I have been filling up the pages of my Jewish diary with thoughts and reflections, fears and hopes, doubts and dreams. I have been focused on those sins which only I could claim and how to ask for forgiveness, especially from myself. Why is that always the hardest plea to ask for? I am not a fan of holding up the mirror to me and am always shocked at how badly I can treat myself. But I have come to think that before approaching anyone else I have wronged, I must start with that reflection in the mirror. Hillel the Elder had it right; go, Hillel!

Always looking to glean more understanding of the holiday, I have also been spending serious time with Beginning Anew: A Woman's Companion to The High Holy Days (ed., Gail Twersky Reimer and Judith A. Kates). This anthology offers some challenging perspectives on locating and listening to women's voices and perspectives from both within and without the traditional HHD Torah readings (e.g. - Sarah, Hagar, Hannah, The Akeda, etc.) I have been finding these stories problematic with complications and complexities that have left me unsettled as a feminist-minded member of the Tribe. Until now I have blamed my uneasiness on my status as a (relatively new) convert. This volume has revealed that I am not the only Jew who feels this way. In true Jewish tradition, these writings offer no easy solutions or any answers at all but instead provocative insights and dialogues that garnish further questions and impetus to delve deeper into the upcoming holiday. I couldn't recommend this book more!

Finally, as with every past Elul, I am enjoying the seasonal Rosh Hashanah music videos. These always leave me uplifted from the inside out and put a ridiculously joyful smile on my face. Below is a short list of some finds this season - please feel free to add to them!

So whether this month finds you deep within the pages of a journal, an anthology, listening to music or simply sinking your toes in the sands of your favorite beach, may these days of reflection and renewal lead you to the Gates of Rosh HaShanah. שנה טובה!‎

The Book of Good Life - The Maccabeats    
(Nope, don't know the song it's based on, but I always love The Maccabeats smooth sound...)

Erev Rosh HaShanah - Avigail Cohen
(Beautiful.)

Call Me Maybe Chana Tova - Agence Juive
(Why yes, it is in French. il pas une grosse affaire.)

Soul Bigger - The Rosh HaShana Song: Unique New York Productions

  

Zimmerman Verdict: Reflections on Justice and Dialogue

Zimmerman Verdict: Reflections on Justice and Dialogue

...one of the more reasonable and measured editorials on the Zimmerman verdict I have found...