SAVE THESE DATES:
January 4 - Beineinu Learning Groups resume this week
January 9 - A little Torah returns
January 9 - Harlem Shabbat Sing 3:00pm
January 20 - "Wonderings" 8:00pm (Come! We had a lot of fun this past Wednesday.)
January 22 - "Shabbat Beineinu" 6:30pm (service and dinner)
Time for some Torah...
Genesis 44:18-47:27
Va'yigash - "And he got closer"
We are nearing the end of the Book of Genesis and we are going to go out with a BANG! So much happens. In fact, there is too much. Instead of writing, I am recommending you watch 2 videos ("thank you" g-dcast) and follow the steps below.
1. click on this link or paste it into your browser
http://www.g-dcast.com/vayigash-2008/
2. watch the video (at least twice)
3. acknowledge something you did that caused harm to someone (As the brothers did to Joseph when they threw him in the pit and told their father he was killed by an animal. Or as Joseph did to his brothers when he framed them and tried to get revenge before revealing his true identity.)
4. take responsibility for your action by apologizing to the person you harmed
5. do whatever it takes to repair the relationship
6. reclaim the closeness
7. click this link to find out how the Book of Genesis ends:
http://www.g-dcast.com/vayechi/
When we finish reading a Book of the Torah it is customary to say "Chazak! Chazak! Ve'nitchazek!" - Strong! Strong! We will be strengthened! I have always understood this to mean that studying Torah, unpacking the multiple layers of each story and then living the lessons, provides us with strength, strengthens us as a people and helps ensure our continued strength in the future. With all of this collective strength, we can make the world better.
Shabbat shalom,
Laurie
12.11.15 DONUTS AND/OR DIGNITY
Are you free this evening?
Come celebrate Shabbat and Chanukah with Beineinu.
6:30pm - All Angel's Church - 251 W80th St(and BDWY - behind Zabars)
We are entering the 6th night of Chanukah. For most of us, this is the season we indulge the material side of ourselves more than any other time of year. We are swept up and away by showering others with stuff. We experience joy from the joy we are bringing to others. In between presents, we eat latkes and donuts, and light the Chanukiyah (remember; all Chanukiyahs are menorahs, but not all menorahs are Chanukiyahs). Chanukah is the time when everyone feels good.
There is nothing wrong with any that.
Except the holiday is about a lot more than feeling good. In fact, it has nothing to do with feeling good. Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple that was destroyed because Jews were forbidden to practice their religion. Chanukah highlights the deep divide that existed between Jews who wanted to maintain Jewish tradition and Jews who wanted to assimilate. Chanukah illustrates the challenges of survival. It reaffirms our strength and commitment to keeping Judaism vibrant and viable. Chanukah is about restoring dignity.
Our sacred texts teach over and over again; since we were slaves in Egypt, we are responsible for ensuring the freedom of anyone who is enslaved. We are mandated to love the other, not just tolerate, but love. We are commanded to take action.
So this year, what will it be? Donuts or dignity? It should be both. We should eat latkes. We should celebrate with family and friends. We should spin the dreidel and there's no harm in giving someone a present. We should also decide what we will do to affirm our strength as a people and demonstrate our commitment to keeping Judaism (and it's teachings) vibrant and viable.
What can we do to bring dignity to the lives of others? We know the problems. We know who is suffering. We know the challenges. We are commanded to act. It's our responsibility and it's our privilege. How can we use our privilege to compel us to strive for dignity for everyone? Only then will the true meaning of Chanukah be realized.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat and Chanukah, may the light of the Shabbat candles and the light of the Chanukah candles, remind us of our privilege and our tremendous capacity to act. May the light of the candles remind us that we are light and we have the ability to bring light into the lives of others.
Shabbat Shalom - Chag Uriim Sameach - Happy Chanukah,
Laurie
Come celebrate Shabbat and Chanukah with Beineinu.
6:30pm - All Angel's Church - 251 W80th St(and BDWY - behind Zabars)
We are entering the 6th night of Chanukah. For most of us, this is the season we indulge the material side of ourselves more than any other time of year. We are swept up and away by showering others with stuff. We experience joy from the joy we are bringing to others. In between presents, we eat latkes and donuts, and light the Chanukiyah (remember; all Chanukiyahs are menorahs, but not all menorahs are Chanukiyahs). Chanukah is the time when everyone feels good.
There is nothing wrong with any that.
Except the holiday is about a lot more than feeling good. In fact, it has nothing to do with feeling good. Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the Temple that was destroyed because Jews were forbidden to practice their religion. Chanukah highlights the deep divide that existed between Jews who wanted to maintain Jewish tradition and Jews who wanted to assimilate. Chanukah illustrates the challenges of survival. It reaffirms our strength and commitment to keeping Judaism vibrant and viable. Chanukah is about restoring dignity.
Our sacred texts teach over and over again; since we were slaves in Egypt, we are responsible for ensuring the freedom of anyone who is enslaved. We are mandated to love the other, not just tolerate, but love. We are commanded to take action.
So this year, what will it be? Donuts or dignity? It should be both. We should eat latkes. We should celebrate with family and friends. We should spin the dreidel and there's no harm in giving someone a present. We should also decide what we will do to affirm our strength as a people and demonstrate our commitment to keeping Judaism (and it's teachings) vibrant and viable.
What can we do to bring dignity to the lives of others? We know the problems. We know who is suffering. We know the challenges. We are commanded to act. It's our responsibility and it's our privilege. How can we use our privilege to compel us to strive for dignity for everyone? Only then will the true meaning of Chanukah be realized.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat and Chanukah, may the light of the Shabbat candles and the light of the Chanukah candles, remind us of our privilege and our tremendous capacity to act. May the light of the candles remind us that we are light and we have the ability to bring light into the lives of others.
Shabbat Shalom - Chag Uriim Sameach - Happy Chanukah,
Laurie
12.4.15 UP THE LOVE
LIGHT IT UP
CHANUKAH STARTS ON SUNDAY
RSVP: SHABBAT+CHANUKAH+DINNER = A WHOLE LOT OF WONDERFUL
DECEMBER ELEVENTH
(And, once you register, I can stop nudging)
The news of the violence that took place in San Bernardino and this morning in Cairo is heartbreaking. It seems that every week (and even multiple times per week) there is another act of terror and violence. However it's defined, the end result is the same innocent people being murdered. Every week the news seems unreal. How could this be? Again? When will it stop? We feel helpless. We feel ashamed. We feel scared.
We cannot give in to our fear. We must remind each other that there is a better way. We must demonstrate that we are going to continue to live our lives with compassion, kindness, integrity and strength. I want a world that is peaceful. I want a world where everyone is safe and has enough good food to eat and protective shelter. I want a world that prioritizes human life.
My new rebbe, Stevie Wonder (now I've got your attention), reminded me and the other 18,000 people attending his concert at the Garden last week, of an essential Jewish teaching, V'ahavta l'rei-a-cha kamocha - "LOVE your friend the way you love yourself", aka the golden rule, aka treat people the way you want to be treated.
The concert was amazing! He was funny, sentimental and his voice is still smooth and infectious. In between songs he sounded more like a preacher than a singer. He's nearing 70 and doing what(ever) he wants. "And what I want, is for people to just love each other. The world needs it and we can all give it." [Side note: At age 11, Stevie Wonder is still the youngest person ever signed to a record label. And he grew up in a home that didn't have a refrigerator or a stove!]
This week's Torah portion is "Va'yeishev" is about a lot but it ain't about love. Joseph, the youngest of Jacob's children, is thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his brothers. They are jealous of him because they believe his father loves him more. And, apparently he can interpret dreams and they don't care for his interpretations.
Having read ahead to next week's parasha, we know, Joseph ends up in an Egyptian prison and ultimately rises to be #2 to the #1 Pharoah, who apparently does appreciate his talent for interpreting dreams. Joseph saves Egypt from total destruction by implementing a plan during times of plenty that will ensure survival during times of famine. But there is still no LOVE.
Tamar, yet another barren women in the Torah, has gone through two husbands and her father-in-law, Judah (one of Jacob's sons) won't give up his third son to marry her for fear of losing him too. She concocts a plan to get pregnant that involves pretending to be a harlot and sleeping with Judah - that's right, her father-in-law. It works! And there is still no LOVE.
The Torah didn't have The Beatles, "All You Need is Love", or Stevie Wonder. But we do. We need our national and world leaders to take real action and we need to also take real action by UPPING THE LOVE.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of life, as we move into Shabbat and the festival of lights, let us be reminded of the power we have to bring light into the lives of others. It's really simple and yet it's often neglected.
I am grateful for all of the light you have added to my life.
In blessing and friendship,
Laurie
CHANUKAH STARTS ON SUNDAY
RSVP: SHABBAT+CHANUKAH+DINNER = A WHOLE LOT OF WONDERFUL
DECEMBER ELEVENTH
(And, once you register, I can stop nudging)
The news of the violence that took place in San Bernardino and this morning in Cairo is heartbreaking. It seems that every week (and even multiple times per week) there is another act of terror and violence. However it's defined, the end result is the same innocent people being murdered. Every week the news seems unreal. How could this be? Again? When will it stop? We feel helpless. We feel ashamed. We feel scared.
We cannot give in to our fear. We must remind each other that there is a better way. We must demonstrate that we are going to continue to live our lives with compassion, kindness, integrity and strength. I want a world that is peaceful. I want a world where everyone is safe and has enough good food to eat and protective shelter. I want a world that prioritizes human life.
My new rebbe, Stevie Wonder (now I've got your attention), reminded me and the other 18,000 people attending his concert at the Garden last week, of an essential Jewish teaching, V'ahavta l'rei-a-cha kamocha - "LOVE your friend the way you love yourself", aka the golden rule, aka treat people the way you want to be treated.
The concert was amazing! He was funny, sentimental and his voice is still smooth and infectious. In between songs he sounded more like a preacher than a singer. He's nearing 70 and doing what(ever) he wants. "And what I want, is for people to just love each other. The world needs it and we can all give it." [Side note: At age 11, Stevie Wonder is still the youngest person ever signed to a record label. And he grew up in a home that didn't have a refrigerator or a stove!]
This week's Torah portion is "Va'yeishev" is about a lot but it ain't about love. Joseph, the youngest of Jacob's children, is thrown into a pit and sold into slavery by his brothers. They are jealous of him because they believe his father loves him more. And, apparently he can interpret dreams and they don't care for his interpretations.
Having read ahead to next week's parasha, we know, Joseph ends up in an Egyptian prison and ultimately rises to be #2 to the #1 Pharoah, who apparently does appreciate his talent for interpreting dreams. Joseph saves Egypt from total destruction by implementing a plan during times of plenty that will ensure survival during times of famine. But there is still no LOVE.
Tamar, yet another barren women in the Torah, has gone through two husbands and her father-in-law, Judah (one of Jacob's sons) won't give up his third son to marry her for fear of losing him too. She concocts a plan to get pregnant that involves pretending to be a harlot and sleeping with Judah - that's right, her father-in-law. It works! And there is still no LOVE.
The Torah didn't have The Beatles, "All You Need is Love", or Stevie Wonder. But we do. We need our national and world leaders to take real action and we need to also take real action by UPPING THE LOVE.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of life, as we move into Shabbat and the festival of lights, let us be reminded of the power we have to bring light into the lives of others. It's really simple and yet it's often neglected.
I am grateful for all of the light you have added to my life.
In blessing and friendship,
Laurie
11.26.15 A little Thanksgiving
"Name It"
In Jewish pre-schools and Tot Shabbat programs across the country, "Thank you God", by Doug Cotler, is a number one hit. It goes like this:
Baruch Atah Adonai...thank you God.
Thank you for the candles.
Thank you for the wine.
Thank you for the challah,
It always tastes so fine.
Thank you for my mommy.
Thank you for my dad.
They love me when I'm happy.
They love me when I'm sad.
Baruch Atah Adonai,...thank you God.
There is a lot that's wrong with this song. It's out of date - not every child has a mommy or a daddy or even two parents. It's over-sung and frankly a little simplistic. There's a lot that's wrong with this song. And, there is a lot that's right. It is simple. The song names various things for which the singer is thankful; Shabbat and unconditional love. Those are definitely things for which to be thankful.
Whatever gripes I might have with the "rabbis" (they were sexist and exclusionary), they were geniuses around the important of emphasizing gratitude. Not only are we supposed to say "thank you" to God every day for a multitude of things including restoring our soul, destroying our enemies, healing the sick and giving sight to the blind, we also have Shabbat. We have SHABBAT, a 25 hour period, 25 hours every week to sit in gratitude.
Most of us don't take full or even any advantage of this truly remarkable gift. We don't consider ourselves "religious" (enough). We don't believe in God. We are too busy. We take "it" all for granted. There are infinite reasons.
But, every year, we celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving. The holiday that is designed supposed to put us in position to name all of the "things" for which we are grateful. But or and, we don't take full advantage of this either. We ate too much at dinner and feel asleep. We are too busy making our lists for Black Friday shopping extravaganzas. We take "it" all for granted. There are infinite reasons.
The rabbis weren't afraid or apologetic about their faith and connection to a higher power. Maybe they really believed it or maybe they wanted it to be true. Either way, I want some of that fervor. I want to drink in that same liquid love that enables a deeper, stronger and more palpable affirmation and connection to God.
The rabbis (those same rabbis who were sexist and exclusionary) teach, Eizeh who chacham? Halomed mikol adam. "Who is wise? The one who learns from everyone." (Pirke Avot, "Ethics of Our Fathers")
This Thanksgiving, and throughout this Shabbat let's learn from the toddlers, tap into our inner two year old and "name it". Let's spend our time together naming that for which we are grateful. How far can we go? How deeply are we prepared to examine the various layers of our lives? This doesn't remove all of the real pain or loss we experience as part of moving through life, but naming "it" might soften the acuteness. We have both. Are we willing to consider or be even bolder and connect our gratitude to a higher Being, something larger, perhaps even Divine?
Let's pretend, let's assume, just for a while, that we are religious, we believe in something outside of ourselves (God?), and we aren't too busy.
Baruch Atah Adonai...thank you God.
Thank you for my breath.
Thank you for my family.
Thank you for my friends.
They are always there for me.
Thank you for my laugh.
Thank you for my tears.
Thank you for my strength.
It's helps me embrace my fears.
Baruch Atah Adonai...thank you God.
I am thankful for*...
my capacity to love and be loved
my ability to heal and help heal others
the privilege of being a rabbi
too many people to name
my privilege
food
water
shelter
the ability to cry and laugh
the ability to cry and laugh
safety
guts
kindness
music
prayer
humor
quiet
kindness
music
prayer
humor
quiet
compassion
ability to adjust
the ability to feel
the ability to feel deeply
apologize
read
write
start again - start anew
create
the ability to get angry
the ability to forgive
the ability to walk
the ability to take care of my needs
the ability to work on myself
the ability to work on myself
travel
all of you
honesty
all of you
honesty
*Listed in the order they came into my mind and not by importance.
Your turn.
With tremendous gratitude, friendship and love,
Laurie
11.20.15 "And he went out..."
Parashat Va'yeitzei
Genesis 28:10-32:3
Man on the run.
Tricked Into marriage.
A father's love.
Enslaved by my own father-in-law.
Insight into the inside.
What's in a name?
There's so much in this portion. I say this about many of the portions but this is the jackpot of "stuff".
Yaakov(Jacob) is still fleeing from his brother, Esav(Esau) for stealing/not stealing the birthright. It's nighttime and he stops to sleep. He is so tired, the rocks he places under his head are as a soft as a pillow. He dreams of a ladder with angels ascending and descending.
He finally makes it to his uncle Laban's home and falls madly in love (the first "documented" case of love at first sight) with the younger daughter, Rachel. Like all good men of that time, and some would say of any time, he asks Laban for Rachel's hand in marriage (even though back then there wasn't a ceremony just a giving over from father to husband). Laban is thrilled and says "yes, but". He can marry Rachel but, only after he has worked for seven years (not a bad way to secure free labor). Yaakov would have agreed to work seventy years. He is madly in love. The years seem like minutes and it's time to marry Rachel.
Everyone is thrilled. Except Yaakov, Rachel and probably Leah too. You see Laban, worried that his eldest would not marry, tricks Yaakov and gives him Leah instead of Rachel. The Torah says that Yaakov doesn't realize he has married the wrong person until the next morning. Really? That's for another time. Yaakov is madly in love with Rachel and agrees to work another seven years to marry her. This time, he can marry her before working the seven years.
So, did Lavan trick Yaakov because he wanted to make sure that Leah would have a husband - thus securing her future? Or did Lavan trick Yaakov so he could get fourteen years of free labor out of him?
The sisters move into a competition to see who can produce more babies. Leah has five in row and Rachel is barren. Then Rachel has one and Leah is barren. Then they each give their maidservants to Yaakov and more babies are born. The women name their children according to how they are feeling or how they think Yaakov feels about them. To name a few; "And God heard I was hated." "And God saw that I was hated." "Now my husband will love me." "Now my community will know that I am loved." Imagine having to write that at the top of your spelling test. It's pretty vicious and doesn't sound anything like how sisters, partners and families should behave.
Maybe that's the point.
Maybe that's the point?
There has to be more.
The title of the portion, Va'yeitzei means "and he went out". It seems like that's the point, or actually more the problem. Everyone in this portion "went out". Everyone in this portion looked outwardly and maybe they needed to look inward? Maybe this would have given each of them the opportunity to do a little self reflection and then maybe there would have been a different outcome.
Maybe that's the point.
Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of life, as we move into Shabbat, let us be mindful of our own tendency to look outward and blame others. Let us make a choice to look inward recognizing the power of this act to bring clarity and even healing.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach(and blessed),
Laurie
Genesis 28:10-32:3
Man on the run.
Tricked Into marriage.
A father's love.
Enslaved by my own father-in-law.
Insight into the inside.
What's in a name?
There's so much in this portion. I say this about many of the portions but this is the jackpot of "stuff".
Yaakov(Jacob) is still fleeing from his brother, Esav(Esau) for stealing/not stealing the birthright. It's nighttime and he stops to sleep. He is so tired, the rocks he places under his head are as a soft as a pillow. He dreams of a ladder with angels ascending and descending.
He finally makes it to his uncle Laban's home and falls madly in love (the first "documented" case of love at first sight) with the younger daughter, Rachel. Like all good men of that time, and some would say of any time, he asks Laban for Rachel's hand in marriage (even though back then there wasn't a ceremony just a giving over from father to husband). Laban is thrilled and says "yes, but". He can marry Rachel but, only after he has worked for seven years (not a bad way to secure free labor). Yaakov would have agreed to work seventy years. He is madly in love. The years seem like minutes and it's time to marry Rachel.
Everyone is thrilled. Except Yaakov, Rachel and probably Leah too. You see Laban, worried that his eldest would not marry, tricks Yaakov and gives him Leah instead of Rachel. The Torah says that Yaakov doesn't realize he has married the wrong person until the next morning. Really? That's for another time. Yaakov is madly in love with Rachel and agrees to work another seven years to marry her. This time, he can marry her before working the seven years.
So, did Lavan trick Yaakov because he wanted to make sure that Leah would have a husband - thus securing her future? Or did Lavan trick Yaakov so he could get fourteen years of free labor out of him?
The sisters move into a competition to see who can produce more babies. Leah has five in row and Rachel is barren. Then Rachel has one and Leah is barren. Then they each give their maidservants to Yaakov and more babies are born. The women name their children according to how they are feeling or how they think Yaakov feels about them. To name a few; "And God heard I was hated." "And God saw that I was hated." "Now my husband will love me." "Now my community will know that I am loved." Imagine having to write that at the top of your spelling test. It's pretty vicious and doesn't sound anything like how sisters, partners and families should behave.
Maybe that's the point.
Maybe that's the point?
There has to be more.
The title of the portion, Va'yeitzei means "and he went out". It seems like that's the point, or actually more the problem. Everyone in this portion "went out". Everyone in this portion looked outwardly and maybe they needed to look inward? Maybe this would have given each of them the opportunity to do a little self reflection and then maybe there would have been a different outcome.
Maybe that's the point.
Mekor Ha'chayiim, Source of life, as we move into Shabbat, let us be mindful of our own tendency to look outward and blame others. Let us make a choice to look inward recognizing the power of this act to bring clarity and even healing.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach(and blessed),
Laurie
11.13.15 JUSTIFIED? YOU DECIDE.
Are you coming tonight? If you aren't, you are missing something great!
Join us for SHABBAT BEINEINU
5:00pm SPECIAL TOT SHABBAT (challah and grape juice provided).
Musical service and a really yummy dinner.
Great music! Great people! Great food!
You don't need to do any of the cooking (and only a little of the cleaning).
6:30pm - All Angels Church - 251 W80th St. (80th/BDWY - behind Zabars)
Great music! Great people! Great food!
You don't need to do any of the cooking (and only a little of the cleaning).
6:30pm - All Angels Church - 251 W80th St. (80th/BDWY - behind Zabars)
Let's get busy with some Torah.
Parashat Toldot: Genesis 25:19–28:9
Yitzchak(Isaac) and Rivka(Rebecca) have children after twenty years of not being able to - "thank you God." While pregnant, Rivka experiences some pain in her womb (can anyone who has every been pregnant relate?). She turns to God (oddly not to her husband or a BFF) to ask "Why?". God tells her "there are two nations in your womb," and that the younger will prevail over the older. Apparently once she speaks with God, the pain in her womb goes away (really?).
The twins are born. Esav(Esau) is the eldest. He grows up to be quite hairy and ruddy, a hunter. Yaakov, who comes into the world holding onto his brothers "ekev" (heel, hence Yaakov), grows up to be "an innocent man, dwelling in tents". "Yitzchak loved Esav and Rivka loved Yaakov." This is a direct quote from the text.
From this very moment, we should know something is up. What kind of parents love one child over the other. And if they do, would they every admit this to anyone? In fairy tales, at least it's the wicked step mother. Apparently, the Torah is the one place where this happens.
Esav, being the eldest, is guaranteed the birthright. That's how it was done back then. The oldest son received THE BLESSING, aka, all of the inheritance. Daughters didn't count (except as property - and a means to acquiring more property). But, something strange happens. One day while Esav is out hunting, Yaakov cooks a stew (the famous lentil stew). Esav returns totally exhausted and upon seeing his brother and smelling the stew, asks Yaakov to pour some of that stew into his mouth. Yaakov says he will, but only if Esav gives him the birthright. Esav agrees. He says he is going to die if he doesn't get the stew so he wouldn't get the birthright anyway.
WHAT? Two lines prior, the text tells us that Esav is "ayef"(tired). Now Esav is claiming he is going to die? Esav agrees and trades his entire inheritance, essentially his entire future for a bowl of lentil stew. ANOTHER indication that something is up.
[The next section of this parasha deals with Yitzchak and Rivka making their way to where they would settle. Along the way, they encounter King Avimelech. The same King Avimelech that Avraham, fearing for his life, lies to, saying Sarah is his sister and not his wife. Yitzchak does the same thing as his father. He is also afraid of getting killed so he tells Avimelech that Rivka is his sister. What is up with these husbands passing their wives off as their sisters? That's going to have to wait until another time.]
Fast forward. Yitzchak is aging and losing his eyesight. He calls Esav into his room and tells him it's time to receive the birthright. He tells Esav to go and hunt and make him his favorite dish because it's time. Yitzchak is ready to give Esav the blessing. Esav goes out to hunt. While he is away, Rivka, who apparently has already prepared Yitzchak's favorite meal, puts fur on Yaakov's arms, gives him the food and tells him to go to his father and take the birthright. Does she know that Yaakov already took it from Esav years before?
Yaakov goes into his father's room and Yitzchak says, "who are you?". Yaakov answers, "it's me, Esav." Yitzchak is confused. How is it that Esav was already back from hunting and preparing the meal? And, while the arms felt like Esav, the voice was Yaakov. Yitzchak asks a second time, "Are you [really] my son, Esav ?" And Yaakov says, "I am." So Yitzchak moves ahead with the plan and gives Yaakov the blessing. And, like all good stories, right as Yitzchak finishes giving all of the blessing, Esav returns from hunting and enters asking his father to bless him.
Yitzchak feels terrible and blames everything on Yaakov. Esav is beyond furious. He is so angry he wants to kill his brother. Meanwhile, in the other room, Rivka tells Yaakov to run away to her brother's just until Esav calms down. Yaakov flees.
The parasha closes with Esav going to Ishmael to take a wife or three. Remember Ishmael? He was Avraham's oldest son and was cast causing him to lose the birthright to his younger brother, Yitzchak.
[Read ahead and you know that Yaakov's entire life is built on soaked in deception and lies. He is tricked into working 14 years, instead of 7 to marry Rachel. Then he is tricked into marrying her sister Leah first. They trick him into getting one another pregnant (them or their maidservants). Ten of his eleven sons continue this path by selling their brother into slavery and then lying to their father telling Yitzchak that Joseph is dead. This is not a "Leave it to Beaver" family. If you don't feel like reading, watch "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat".]
Wow! My head is spinning.
Is this really happening?
Did Rivka share the conversation she had with God while she was pregnant?
Did she share it with Yaakov later on?
Why didn't God take action? Or was telling Rivka the younger would rule over the older God's way of putting things in motion?
Was Yitzchak's eyesight really fading?
Did Yitzchak really think Esav was receiving the blessing?
Is anyone justified in their actions?
Why is deception the mode?
What's the takeaway?
?
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into another Shabbat, and another opportunity to do some honest reflection, let us open our hearts to the possibility that we might also engage in (soft or hard) deception in order to get things we want or as a way of directing a situation towards a specific outcome. What role does lying play in our own lives? What actions do we justify? What impact does all of this have on our relationships? What changes do we want to make?
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach.
May Shabbat be filled with peace, wholeness and blessing,
Laurie
11.6.15 "My Friend, Jen F."
Are you registered for the next "Shabbat Beineinu"? 11.13.15
5:00pm - Special Tot Shabbat (challah and grape juice provided)
6:30pm - Musical service followed by a really delicious dinner. All Angels Church - 80th/Broadway - Everyone is welcome. Bring friends!
It's been a few months and I thought it was time for a "Jen F." update. A little background to make sure everyone is up to speed. Jen is a relatively new friend. We met last March. She is 34, and a mother of two daughters, 19 and 17. Jen is smart, beautiful, courageous, funny and studying towards a BA. She is also serving 25 to life at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. I visit Jen once a month.
On my last visit, it took over an hour from processing me to sitting with Jen. I am all alone waiting in the visitor's lobby. After about 20 minutes, the loud speaker bellows "next"! It's my turn to enter the processing room. The guard checking me in is not in a good mood. She challenges the purpose of my visit and remarks; "she's not really Jewish you know". A second guard watches me remove my shoes and walk through the xray machine (like the airport). He isn't in a good mood either. He scrutinizes the contents of my small ziplock bag making sure I don't violate any rules. I actually do, by accidentally leaving the business card for the taxi service inside the plastic bag. He doesn't let me leave it there or throw it away. I have to throw it away back in the visitor's lobby or put it back in my locker. Really! I want to shout. But, I say nothing. I put my shoes back on. I go back out to the waiting area. I put the business card back in my locker. I do (exactly) as I'm told (even though I really want to say something). I go back to the processing room. I remove my shoes, again. I go through the xray machine, again. The guard pads down my arms, legs and back. He stamps the top of my right hand (always the top of my right hand). I am now fully processed. There isn't any warmth or exchange of pleasantries.
I make my way through the three steel doors and enter the main building with the visitor's room. This guard, who needs to confirm that I have been authorized to enter, is also in a mood, and it's not a good one. "It's winter. Put on pants." she says. It was close to 75 degrees that day. I am wearing leggings and a tunic with an open cardigan. "Does it button?" She snaps. And there it is, again. That uneasy, nauseous feeling I always get at some point during my visit. "Have I done something wrong? Have I committed a crime? Is this the time that they decide not to let me leave?" It's not rational or logical. The guard calls to let "them" know; "Fecu has a visitor". I always wonder why they don't make this call when they first start processing me? It feels like I am being processed, like deli meat; measured, sliced, packaged and stamped. I don't say anything (even though I really want to). I wonder what happened to these people to make them so bitter? I want to believe they started in this profession because they believed people deserve a second chance, even when they do something really terrible. But I am finding it harder and harder to maintain that narrative. I'm finally in the visitor's room. Picture a school cafeteria.
Jen finally enters. Her smile extends all the way back across the room. We embrace and start chatting like old friends who are just out, meeting for lunch. Some of our time together is spent talking about clothing and hair. She thought mine was a perm. But most of the conversation is heavy and deep. Jen is really struggling with her inability to be a mom to her kids. She worries about them and is desperate to be in touch with them. Any relationship with them is completely dependent on her own mom. Jen is frustrated and we start reviewing the tools she has to cope with all of the feelings she is experiencing; meditation, journaling, affirmations - many of the same tools I use to cope with all of the emotions I am juggling. Jen has been working hard in each of her college courses and she continues to spend her "free" time fighting for improvements in the prison system. She is trying to get the hourly pay rate increased. It's currently less than $1.
We take a break to purchase food. Jen is hungry. She is always hungry. She "orders", two cheeseburgers, Greek yogurt, iced tea, a Hershey bar with Almonds and a Snickers. Remember, she can't touch the money, the machines or the microwave. She stands behind the black tape and points as I make the selections for her. We return back to our table. Jen has sits facing the guard. She has to. I can sit across from her or next to her. But, I choose to have my back to the guard because I am still frustrated with the experiences I had from when I was being processed.
Each time I visit, Jen shares more about her past, more about her family and the traumas she experienced as a child. She tells me about the time she saw her father knock out her mother's front teeth. Somehow she gets to school. Jen starts frantically running around the classroom yelling "Someone help my mommy. Someone help my mommy." Jen is five. When I was five, my dad played "fort" with us in our family room. Jen's hysterics at school, end up saving her mommy. That same day, Jen, her mom, sister and brother move into a shelter. A few weeks later, somehow they make their way to New York to live in one of the many housing facilities in Hell's Kitchen. Jen thinks her grandmother, her Jewish, white grandmother made all of the arrangements. Jen hasn't seen her father since. The rest of this story will have to wait for another time.
We have been talking for close to three hours and I have to start getting ready to leave. Jen tells me she is reading the newly published "Between the World and Me", by Ta-NeHisi Coates. She asks if I would read it with her. It's a letter from Ta-Nehisi to his son about being Black in a White world. Of course I say "Yes".
We hug. This time, a little bit longer than when we first see each other. I say "Shabbat Shalom" and tell her I will be back next month. I walk towards the exit. Jen walks in the other direction, towards the door that leads to the room where she will be strip searched before she returns to her cell. Each time I visit, each time I leave, each time Jen leaves the visitor's room, she is strip searched. I want to take her with me.
I do not condone the behavior that received "25 to life". And, I can't help wondering, believing, that if we had real systems in place to provide quality living and learning environments - food, shelter and education, it's highly unlikely, at least less likely that Jen would be known as #04G0854 (her inmate number).
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, may we take one of the 25 hours and consciously acknowledge the freedom and privilege of our lives. May we take another one of the 25 hours to dedicate being generous and compassionate towards the other. May we take one more of the 25 hours and commit to doing one thing that honors the narrative from our Creation story, that everyone is created B'tzelem Elohim - in the image of God, in the image of whatever is greater than the self, greater than all of the selves together.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
Laurie
5:00pm - Special Tot Shabbat (challah and grape juice provided)
6:30pm - Musical service followed by a really delicious dinner. All Angels Church - 80th/Broadway - Everyone is welcome. Bring friends!
It's been a few months and I thought it was time for a "Jen F." update. A little background to make sure everyone is up to speed. Jen is a relatively new friend. We met last March. She is 34, and a mother of two daughters, 19 and 17. Jen is smart, beautiful, courageous, funny and studying towards a BA. She is also serving 25 to life at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. I visit Jen once a month.
On my last visit, it took over an hour from processing me to sitting with Jen. I am all alone waiting in the visitor's lobby. After about 20 minutes, the loud speaker bellows "next"! It's my turn to enter the processing room. The guard checking me in is not in a good mood. She challenges the purpose of my visit and remarks; "she's not really Jewish you know". A second guard watches me remove my shoes and walk through the xray machine (like the airport). He isn't in a good mood either. He scrutinizes the contents of my small ziplock bag making sure I don't violate any rules. I actually do, by accidentally leaving the business card for the taxi service inside the plastic bag. He doesn't let me leave it there or throw it away. I have to throw it away back in the visitor's lobby or put it back in my locker. Really! I want to shout. But, I say nothing. I put my shoes back on. I go back out to the waiting area. I put the business card back in my locker. I do (exactly) as I'm told (even though I really want to say something). I go back to the processing room. I remove my shoes, again. I go through the xray machine, again. The guard pads down my arms, legs and back. He stamps the top of my right hand (always the top of my right hand). I am now fully processed. There isn't any warmth or exchange of pleasantries.
I make my way through the three steel doors and enter the main building with the visitor's room. This guard, who needs to confirm that I have been authorized to enter, is also in a mood, and it's not a good one. "It's winter. Put on pants." she says. It was close to 75 degrees that day. I am wearing leggings and a tunic with an open cardigan. "Does it button?" She snaps. And there it is, again. That uneasy, nauseous feeling I always get at some point during my visit. "Have I done something wrong? Have I committed a crime? Is this the time that they decide not to let me leave?" It's not rational or logical. The guard calls to let "them" know; "Fecu has a visitor". I always wonder why they don't make this call when they first start processing me? It feels like I am being processed, like deli meat; measured, sliced, packaged and stamped. I don't say anything (even though I really want to). I wonder what happened to these people to make them so bitter? I want to believe they started in this profession because they believed people deserve a second chance, even when they do something really terrible. But I am finding it harder and harder to maintain that narrative. I'm finally in the visitor's room. Picture a school cafeteria.
Jen finally enters. Her smile extends all the way back across the room. We embrace and start chatting like old friends who are just out, meeting for lunch. Some of our time together is spent talking about clothing and hair. She thought mine was a perm. But most of the conversation is heavy and deep. Jen is really struggling with her inability to be a mom to her kids. She worries about them and is desperate to be in touch with them. Any relationship with them is completely dependent on her own mom. Jen is frustrated and we start reviewing the tools she has to cope with all of the feelings she is experiencing; meditation, journaling, affirmations - many of the same tools I use to cope with all of the emotions I am juggling. Jen has been working hard in each of her college courses and she continues to spend her "free" time fighting for improvements in the prison system. She is trying to get the hourly pay rate increased. It's currently less than $1.
We take a break to purchase food. Jen is hungry. She is always hungry. She "orders", two cheeseburgers, Greek yogurt, iced tea, a Hershey bar with Almonds and a Snickers. Remember, she can't touch the money, the machines or the microwave. She stands behind the black tape and points as I make the selections for her. We return back to our table. Jen has sits facing the guard. She has to. I can sit across from her or next to her. But, I choose to have my back to the guard because I am still frustrated with the experiences I had from when I was being processed.
Each time I visit, Jen shares more about her past, more about her family and the traumas she experienced as a child. She tells me about the time she saw her father knock out her mother's front teeth. Somehow she gets to school. Jen starts frantically running around the classroom yelling "Someone help my mommy. Someone help my mommy." Jen is five. When I was five, my dad played "fort" with us in our family room. Jen's hysterics at school, end up saving her mommy. That same day, Jen, her mom, sister and brother move into a shelter. A few weeks later, somehow they make their way to New York to live in one of the many housing facilities in Hell's Kitchen. Jen thinks her grandmother, her Jewish, white grandmother made all of the arrangements. Jen hasn't seen her father since. The rest of this story will have to wait for another time.
We have been talking for close to three hours and I have to start getting ready to leave. Jen tells me she is reading the newly published "Between the World and Me", by Ta-NeHisi Coates. She asks if I would read it with her. It's a letter from Ta-Nehisi to his son about being Black in a White world. Of course I say "Yes".
We hug. This time, a little bit longer than when we first see each other. I say "Shabbat Shalom" and tell her I will be back next month. I walk towards the exit. Jen walks in the other direction, towards the door that leads to the room where she will be strip searched before she returns to her cell. Each time I visit, each time I leave, each time Jen leaves the visitor's room, she is strip searched. I want to take her with me.
I do not condone the behavior that received "25 to life". And, I can't help wondering, believing, that if we had real systems in place to provide quality living and learning environments - food, shelter and education, it's highly unlikely, at least less likely that Jen would be known as #04G0854 (her inmate number).
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, may we take one of the 25 hours and consciously acknowledge the freedom and privilege of our lives. May we take another one of the 25 hours to dedicate being generous and compassionate towards the other. May we take one more of the 25 hours and commit to doing one thing that honors the narrative from our Creation story, that everyone is created B'tzelem Elohim - in the image of God, in the image of whatever is greater than the self, greater than all of the selves together.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
Laurie
10.30.15 "Va'yeira"
That's right. Parashat "Vayeira" (lit. "And he saw."), is filled with totally absurd situations. I am choosing to break the content into 3 sections.
First: Who is the better host? Abraham or Martha Stewart? You decide.
The scene starts with Abraham sitting at the opening of his tent in the extreme heat of the day. Abraham lives in a desert. What else is he going to do? He doesn't have Central Park, The MOMA or Levain Bakery. It's probably really boring. But, none of that seems absurd. However, the commentators tell us that the reason Abraham is sitting in the opening of his tent is because he was always on the lookout for passersby. Poor Abraham. He's lonely! Or perhaps he has a new recipe he wants to try out? The commentators continue. "Extreme heat" reflect unseasonably hot, even for a desert. But, this is not due to global warming. God made it crazy hot on purpose hoping the temperature would prevent Abraham from looking for passersby. Why? Because, this is the third day of Abraham's recovery from his circumcision and God was hoping Abraham would rest. That's right, Abraham was recently circumcised as the final sign establishing the Brit/Covenant between him and God.
It gets better. Back to the original text. Abraham notices 3 messengers in the distance and immediately jumps up starts running around shouting to Sarah to fetch water and make cakes. He runs out to greet them, extreme heat and all, ushers them to his tent, rinses their feet and essentially begs them to stay and rest. They comply (as if they had a choice).
These aren't your everyday UPS, DHL or USPostal Service messengers. These are actually angels. They are sent by God to deliver some news including that Sarah will have a child from her womb even though she will be 90.
Second: Wipe Out
The second piece of news from the messengers/angels is that God is sick and tired of the absolutely horrific behavior of the people living in Sodom and Gemorrah and the only solution is to destroy the cities completely. WHAT? Didn't God just finish destroying the entire world a few portions ago? Lot and his wife manage to get out while the cities are burning. But, against instruction, Lot's wife looks back (her daughters didn't leave with them because their husbands thought Lot was nuts) and as a result turns into a pillar of salt. It's all absurd.
Third: Take Your Son
God tells Abraham to take Isaac and sacrifice him on an altar to God. That's not even the absurd part. ABRAHAM DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING. HE JUST GETS UP AND STARTS HEADING TO THE PLACE TO DO WHAT GOD HAS TOLD HIM TO DO. (And yes I am raising my voice. Who is more insane? Abraham or God?) Whether this is the 1st or 100th time you are hearing this story, "absurdometer" never decreases. It's always shocking and always unbelievable. And to be honest, each time, even though I know the ending, I still let out a huge sigh of relief when I read that a ram is sacrificed instead.
Go ahead. Let it out! Don't hold your breath. This is a lot of absurd in one sitting. A baby at 90. Wiping out entire cities. A woman turning to salt. And nearly sacrificing a son to God. There's more but it will have to be unpacked at another time. Let's try and digest all of this first.
From this parasha, the most common teaching offered (and it's an important one - a hugely important one) is that Judaism values welcoming the other, the stranger. We hold Abaraham (and Sarah) up as the models for "Hachnassat Orchim" - Welcoming Guests. But there is so much more.
What does all of this absurdity have in common?
Here are some ideas and would love to hear what others think.
Maybe...
...one of the lessons of this parasha, is that as Abraham and God continue to develop their relationship, this is the first time a one to one covenantal relationship is being established by a Deity and a human, exceptional (rather than absurd) things will happen. Exceptional circumstances for an exceptional relationship. This isn't an ordinary relationship so the circumstances surrounding it cannot be ordinary.
Perhaps...
...it's God trying to figure things out. What should it be like? What shouldn't it be like? How far should God push? How much should God demand? The Torah says that God is "testing" Abraham. Is it really God testing God?
And finally...
...is it possible that it's to teach us the importance of not dismissing the absurd? We shouldn't assume it's there by accident. We should always look deeper to uncover the meaning. If only one of these events were featured we might just brush past it, dismissing any value. But, having multiple examples, it makes it impossible to ignore. We have to look closer.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, give us the patience to unpack the absurd so that we might find the deeper meaning. And may we be mindful of the privilege and responsibility we have to welcome others, help them feel comfortable and safe.
Shabbat shalom,
Laurie
First: Who is the better host? Abraham or Martha Stewart? You decide.
The scene starts with Abraham sitting at the opening of his tent in the extreme heat of the day. Abraham lives in a desert. What else is he going to do? He doesn't have Central Park, The MOMA or Levain Bakery. It's probably really boring. But, none of that seems absurd. However, the commentators tell us that the reason Abraham is sitting in the opening of his tent is because he was always on the lookout for passersby. Poor Abraham. He's lonely! Or perhaps he has a new recipe he wants to try out? The commentators continue. "Extreme heat" reflect unseasonably hot, even for a desert. But, this is not due to global warming. God made it crazy hot on purpose hoping the temperature would prevent Abraham from looking for passersby. Why? Because, this is the third day of Abraham's recovery from his circumcision and God was hoping Abraham would rest. That's right, Abraham was recently circumcised as the final sign establishing the Brit/Covenant between him and God.
It gets better. Back to the original text. Abraham notices 3 messengers in the distance and immediately jumps up starts running around shouting to Sarah to fetch water and make cakes. He runs out to greet them, extreme heat and all, ushers them to his tent, rinses their feet and essentially begs them to stay and rest. They comply (as if they had a choice).
These aren't your everyday UPS, DHL or USPostal Service messengers. These are actually angels. They are sent by God to deliver some news including that Sarah will have a child from her womb even though she will be 90.
Second: Wipe Out
The second piece of news from the messengers/angels is that God is sick and tired of the absolutely horrific behavior of the people living in Sodom and Gemorrah and the only solution is to destroy the cities completely. WHAT? Didn't God just finish destroying the entire world a few portions ago? Lot and his wife manage to get out while the cities are burning. But, against instruction, Lot's wife looks back (her daughters didn't leave with them because their husbands thought Lot was nuts) and as a result turns into a pillar of salt. It's all absurd.
Third: Take Your Son
God tells Abraham to take Isaac and sacrifice him on an altar to God. That's not even the absurd part. ABRAHAM DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING. HE JUST GETS UP AND STARTS HEADING TO THE PLACE TO DO WHAT GOD HAS TOLD HIM TO DO. (And yes I am raising my voice. Who is more insane? Abraham or God?) Whether this is the 1st or 100th time you are hearing this story, "absurdometer" never decreases. It's always shocking and always unbelievable. And to be honest, each time, even though I know the ending, I still let out a huge sigh of relief when I read that a ram is sacrificed instead.
Go ahead. Let it out! Don't hold your breath. This is a lot of absurd in one sitting. A baby at 90. Wiping out entire cities. A woman turning to salt. And nearly sacrificing a son to God. There's more but it will have to be unpacked at another time. Let's try and digest all of this first.
From this parasha, the most common teaching offered (and it's an important one - a hugely important one) is that Judaism values welcoming the other, the stranger. We hold Abaraham (and Sarah) up as the models for "Hachnassat Orchim" - Welcoming Guests. But there is so much more.
What does all of this absurdity have in common?
Here are some ideas and would love to hear what others think.
Maybe...
...one of the lessons of this parasha, is that as Abraham and God continue to develop their relationship, this is the first time a one to one covenantal relationship is being established by a Deity and a human, exceptional (rather than absurd) things will happen. Exceptional circumstances for an exceptional relationship. This isn't an ordinary relationship so the circumstances surrounding it cannot be ordinary.
Perhaps...
...it's God trying to figure things out. What should it be like? What shouldn't it be like? How far should God push? How much should God demand? The Torah says that God is "testing" Abraham. Is it really God testing God?
And finally...
...is it possible that it's to teach us the importance of not dismissing the absurd? We shouldn't assume it's there by accident. We should always look deeper to uncover the meaning. If only one of these events were featured we might just brush past it, dismissing any value. But, having multiple examples, it makes it impossible to ignore. We have to look closer.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, give us the patience to unpack the absurd so that we might find the deeper meaning. And may we be mindful of the privilege and responsibility we have to welcome others, help them feel comfortable and safe.
Shabbat shalom,
Laurie
10.23.15 "Lech Lecha"
This week's Torah is dedicated to the memory of Carol Levy - extraordinary woman! She inspired me - made me think and laugh and always want to be my best. May her name be forever a blessing.
"Lech Lecha"
So there's Avram, minding his own business. Doing whatever it is biblical characters from (around) 4000 years ago do. When suddenly, there is a little tap on his shoulder (tap, tap, tap). This is no ordinary tap. This is a God tap. That's right. God taps Avram on the shoulder and says "Get up! Get out of this place! Go to this other place that I will show you." And like all good biblical characters from (around) 4000 years ago, Avram starts packing. God tells him to take his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, his servants and all his "stuff" (sheep, goats and cattle - the usual). Off they went.
Their first stop on the way to "the place that I will show you" is Egypt. And with every good Egypt there is a Pharoah. Whatever Pharoah wants, Pharoah takes. Sarai is definitely a looker (would we expect anything less from our Matriarch?). She is also great at math and a fast runner. When Pharoah sees her he wants to take her and add her to his collection. So, in an effort to save himself, Avram asks Sarai to pretend she is his sister instead of his wife. She does. But, God is not very happy with this at all! To demonstrate just how unhappy, God brings terrible plagues upon the Egyptians. Pharoah somehow makes the connection that the plagues are connected to the fact that Sarai is really Avram's wife and not his sister afterall.
Pharaoh immediately releases Sarai from his personal wife collection and tells Avram to "Get out!" To keep himself in God's good graces, he gives Avram lots of parting gifts including gold, silver and camels. And their journey continues.
They still have no idea where they are going but that does not seem to bother anyone.
In the beginning of the parasha, God tells Avarm "Lech Lecha" which literally means "go to you." "Walk into yourself." Maybe the reason God doesn't name the place they are going is because God has no idea. The place they are going will be determined by their process of "going into themselves". The place they are going will be decided by them, based on their actions.
In the beginning of the parasha, God tells Avarm "Lech Lecha" which literally means "go to you." "Walk into yourself." Maybe the reason God doesn't name the place they are going is because God has no idea. The place they are going will be determined by their process of "going into themselves". The place they are going will be decided by them, based on their actions.
In the end of the parasha God changes Avram's name to AvraHam and Sarai's name to SaraH. God literally inserts the "hei" of God's name into theirs. The "hei" represents the breath of God. Maybe God does this as a nod back to the beginning when human life is activated by God's breath? Perhaps it's a tangible way for Avraham and Sarah to understand that this journey is less about a physical location and more about a spiritual one? Having God's name in theirs hopefully provides a sense of comfort, protection and love.
Mekor Hachayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, may we be like Avram and Sarai - trusting and willing to "go to the place that I will show you". To go deep into ourselves and find that place - that space of unknown. May we feel the "hei" - the breath in our own name and experience it as comfort, protection and love from God.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
LaurieH
Mekor Hachayiim, Source of Life, as we move into Shabbat, may we be like Avram and Sarai - trusting and willing to "go to the place that I will show you". To go deep into ourselves and find that place - that space of unknown. May we feel the "hei" - the breath in our own name and experience it as comfort, protection and love from God.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach,
LaurieH
10.16.15 Heartbreak and Hope
The first parasha/portion in the Torah, B'reishit, introduces us to God, "The Creator". This parasha, the second parasha introduces us to God, "The Destroyer". Apparently, things, meaning human beings, didn't turn out quite how God planned, or more accurately, intended. The people, all of the people are behaving in very deviant ways. Everyone is awful! Everyone, except Noah (and his family - innocent by association). Seems like God is taken off guard by all of this and decides that the world must be destroyed. Everything in the world that God just created (only one parasha ago) must be completely destroyed. Everything and everyone, except Noah, his family and animals. Most of us learned the song "Rise and Shine and Give God Your Glory Glory" where we sang loud and proud, "the animals, they came on, they came on by twosies twosies...elephants and kangaroosies roosie children of the Lord". It was one of my Phillips family road trip favorites. We think there were TWO of every animal on the ark with Noah and his family. But, in fact there were lots more. 7 pairs of every kosher animal and fewer pairs of non-kosher animals. This is really bizarre considering that the laws of kashrut didn't exist yet. But, I digress. I am way off track now.
Here's me getting back on track.
Humanity cannot get it together. They are using their free will to lean into evil instead of good. God cannot take it anymore and tells Noah (because he was "righteous in his generation" - kind of a backhanded compliment) to build an ark and then load it up with his family and the animals. Noah does exactly what God tells him to do. The next thing we know, there is a terrible flood. It lasts 40 nights and 40 days. During this time, the entire world is destroyed. It's almost back to the way things began in the first parasha. Or at least that's what we think happened. Turns out that once the waters recede the trees regrow, the ocean is replenished and life resumes - only with a lot fewer people. God says that this will never happen again. Never again will God destroy the world (with a flood).
Now, I don't know if it is ironic, a coincidence or just a harsh reality check that we are reading Parashat Noah. After the flood, once Noah and his family and all of the animals are on dry land. God says that this will never happen again. Never again will God destroy the world (with a flood). God kept that promise. However, it seems like humanity has taken the lead in this regard.
Every morning I listen to NPR (Yes. I am a sustaining member and you should be too.). Every morning, I get ready for my day listening to reports of violence, cruelty and hate all over the world. There are too many places around the world where women, children, men, old and young are being murdered, tortured and raped. There are too many places around the world where people are being denied the ability to live freely and safely with enough food and water, protective shelter and education. There are too many places around the world where human life is not valued. This week Israel is one of those places. It is heartbreaking to hear about the suffering of any people. It is heartbreaking because it is wrong and because I feel totally helpless. When I hear about violence and suffering from Israel, my heartbreak is doubled. I often say, and truly believe that my while my body was born in the United States, my neshamah, my soul, my essence, was born in Israel. It's where I feel my fullest. It's where I breathe deepest. It's where I am my truest self. It's impossible to articulate why. It's just how I feel. Perhaps it's because when I was eleven and living on Kibbutz, I had my first kiss with Avshalom (lit. "father of peace"). Perhaps because I love the Hebrew language. You don't just speak Hebrew with your mouth, you use your entire body. Perhaps because at the same time people are pushing you out of their way, they are saying 'Shabbat Shalom'. Perhaps because it's where watermelon is always perfectly ripe and there is a bakery on every corner.
So, when a week like this last one in Jerusalem happens, my heartbreak is doubled.
The violence is unbelievable. I literally cannot believe what I am hearing and what I am reading. I just cannot believe what is happening. I cannot believe it is still happening. What will it take for it to end? What will it take for people to finally be able to live without fear?
This Torah is not about convincing anyone to choose a side or convincing anyone to think that one side is right and another side is wrong. It's not even about saying that there are two sides
This week's Torah is about calling out for the violence and hatred to end. WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? Really, why can't we all just get along? What is it that makes people hate each other so much? So much that they are willing to cause deep harm to others? So much that they are willing to murder others? So much that they are willing to die themselves? What is it that makes people hate each other so much? Is it jealousy? Greed? Power? Brainwashing?
I have no idea.
I have absolutely no idea.
As I stated above, this is not a piece about choosing a side. This Torah is a plea to honor the other and to show compassion for all living beings. It is a call to challenge ourselves to put aside whatever "facts" and assumptions, whatever "truths" we might have, and put human life in front. People deserve to live with dignity and without fear. This Torah is a call to say ENOUGH! We won't tolerate violence or hatred - over there - or here.
Maybe, just maybe, if each of us does one thing to stop violence and inequality, to prevent injustice and hatred, we can get a little closer to that first story of the Torah - the story of the Garden of Eden, the Garden of beauty and perfection.
Every morning I listen to NPR and every morning on my walk to the subway I pass by a church (although I can't really call it a house of God) called "Atlah". There is a double sided sign in the private courtyard. Each side is filled with the most hateful statements against Obama, homosexuals, "white gentrifiers" and more. It seems the goal is to create one statement using as many derogatory terms as possible. People walk by shocked and horrified. Tourists take pictures. For nearly a year I have walked by that sign and although I too am totally outraged, have said nothing. Enough! I am going to knock on the door of the church and request that the racist, sexist, homophobic anti President remarks be removed.
What will you do?
Here's a reason to hope that "things" can change (although way too slowly).
Written by Adam Cohen (whom I have the privilege and pleasure of calling my step-son). Thank you Isaac Simon for providing this opportunity and for providing food and dignity to the homeless every week.
Here's me getting back on track.
Humanity cannot get it together. They are using their free will to lean into evil instead of good. God cannot take it anymore and tells Noah (because he was "righteous in his generation" - kind of a backhanded compliment) to build an ark and then load it up with his family and the animals. Noah does exactly what God tells him to do. The next thing we know, there is a terrible flood. It lasts 40 nights and 40 days. During this time, the entire world is destroyed. It's almost back to the way things began in the first parasha. Or at least that's what we think happened. Turns out that once the waters recede the trees regrow, the ocean is replenished and life resumes - only with a lot fewer people. God says that this will never happen again. Never again will God destroy the world (with a flood).
Now, I don't know if it is ironic, a coincidence or just a harsh reality check that we are reading Parashat Noah. After the flood, once Noah and his family and all of the animals are on dry land. God says that this will never happen again. Never again will God destroy the world (with a flood). God kept that promise. However, it seems like humanity has taken the lead in this regard.
Every morning I listen to NPR (Yes. I am a sustaining member and you should be too.). Every morning, I get ready for my day listening to reports of violence, cruelty and hate all over the world. There are too many places around the world where women, children, men, old and young are being murdered, tortured and raped. There are too many places around the world where people are being denied the ability to live freely and safely with enough food and water, protective shelter and education. There are too many places around the world where human life is not valued. This week Israel is one of those places. It is heartbreaking to hear about the suffering of any people. It is heartbreaking because it is wrong and because I feel totally helpless. When I hear about violence and suffering from Israel, my heartbreak is doubled. I often say, and truly believe that my while my body was born in the United States, my neshamah, my soul, my essence, was born in Israel. It's where I feel my fullest. It's where I breathe deepest. It's where I am my truest self. It's impossible to articulate why. It's just how I feel. Perhaps it's because when I was eleven and living on Kibbutz, I had my first kiss with Avshalom (lit. "father of peace"). Perhaps because I love the Hebrew language. You don't just speak Hebrew with your mouth, you use your entire body. Perhaps because at the same time people are pushing you out of their way, they are saying 'Shabbat Shalom'. Perhaps because it's where watermelon is always perfectly ripe and there is a bakery on every corner.
So, when a week like this last one in Jerusalem happens, my heartbreak is doubled.
The violence is unbelievable. I literally cannot believe what I am hearing and what I am reading. I just cannot believe what is happening. I cannot believe it is still happening. What will it take for it to end? What will it take for people to finally be able to live without fear?
This Torah is not about convincing anyone to choose a side or convincing anyone to think that one side is right and another side is wrong. It's not even about saying that there are two sides
This week's Torah is about calling out for the violence and hatred to end. WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? Really, why can't we all just get along? What is it that makes people hate each other so much? So much that they are willing to cause deep harm to others? So much that they are willing to murder others? So much that they are willing to die themselves? What is it that makes people hate each other so much? Is it jealousy? Greed? Power? Brainwashing?
I have no idea.
I have absolutely no idea.
As I stated above, this is not a piece about choosing a side. This Torah is a plea to honor the other and to show compassion for all living beings. It is a call to challenge ourselves to put aside whatever "facts" and assumptions, whatever "truths" we might have, and put human life in front. People deserve to live with dignity and without fear. This Torah is a call to say ENOUGH! We won't tolerate violence or hatred - over there - or here.
Maybe, just maybe, if each of us does one thing to stop violence and inequality, to prevent injustice and hatred, we can get a little closer to that first story of the Torah - the story of the Garden of Eden, the Garden of beauty and perfection.
Every morning I listen to NPR and every morning on my walk to the subway I pass by a church (although I can't really call it a house of God) called "Atlah". There is a double sided sign in the private courtyard. Each side is filled with the most hateful statements against Obama, homosexuals, "white gentrifiers" and more. It seems the goal is to create one statement using as many derogatory terms as possible. People walk by shocked and horrified. Tourists take pictures. For nearly a year I have walked by that sign and although I too am totally outraged, have said nothing. Enough! I am going to knock on the door of the church and request that the racist, sexist, homophobic anti President remarks be removed.
What will you do?
Here's a reason to hope that "things" can change (although way too slowly).
Written by Adam Cohen (whom I have the privilege and pleasure of calling my step-son). Thank you Isaac Simon for providing this opportunity and for providing food and dignity to the homeless every week.
Recently I went on a food run to help the homeless. At first I wasn't too excited to be apart of the run. Sure it is great to help your community but sometimes it can be pretty tedious. I've helped second graders with reading and math, but it was never too enjoyable. However, when I gave out food and clothes to homeless men and women. I felt really happy that I tagged a long for the ride. It is amazing how much we take for granted everyday. I saw a homeless man with no socks, just crocs, and plastic bags under his feet. Something such as small as a pair of socks could make that man's life significantly better. Giving out food made me realize how hungry homeless people are. Many tried to get extra food, and clothes. I accidentally left a box of milk for a couple of minutes and by the time I came back to see it nearly empty. This made me feel bad for these people, but I am glad that I accidentally left the milk out. We were almost done with the run anyway. All in all it is very rewarding to help the homeless, and it is mutually beneficial to both parties, especially to the homeless of course.
What will you do?
10.9.15 "Let's start at the very beginning. It's a very fine place to start."
10.16 - "Beineinu Friday Nights" (our first one). Are you coming? You are coming right?
Details at the bottom.
But don't skip the Torah (it's just a little Torah).
B'reishit
Genesis 1:1-6:8
"Let's start at the very beginning. It's a very fine place to start." These well known lyrics from "The Sound of Music" aren't refering to Torah. But, that's exactly what's about to happen. This Shabbat we begin reading the Torah from the very beginning. We start wtih the story of creation affirming humanity's unique partnership with God. If you haven't ever read it all the way through, you should. Put down whatever you are doing. Google "Genesis 1:1-6:8" and read the entire portion.
What? You don't have time right now? You are busy with something really important?
Well, promise yourself, that you will read it by Sunday evening. That's doable right?
If you can't read the entire portion, just read the stories of creation. That's right. There is more than one. There are actually two creation stories. What's the difference? Here's a clue; the order of creation is different from story to story.
God is busy, really busy filling the world with "stuff". There is heaven and earth. Water and land. Sun, moon and stars. Day and night. Birds. Cattle. Trees. And so much more. In fact, God creates so much "stuff" that after only six days of work, God ceases to create FOREVER. That's right. God spends six days creating and then leaves it all in our hands. God puts humanity in charge of EVERYTHING. That's right. We are the boss of everything. We are the "Big Man on Campus". The Chief. That's us. This responsibility and privilege was given to all humanity God's breath was our first breath.
God spent six days creating the foundation of everything we would need to carry creation forward. God put things in motion and since day eight, it's been up to humanity to decide what comes next.
That's the question. What will be next? What will each of us do with our personal God breath? My teacher, Rabbi Levi Lauer, with his hands raised said; "If God has hands today, these are his hands." Pointing to his own lips, "If God has a mouth. This is God's mouth." "If God has a heart. This is God's heart." You get the idea.
What will we do with our own personal God breath? What will we do with all that power? God gave us breath. God gave us power. What we choose to do is up to us.
If God has power, WE are God's power.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into the Shabbat, move into the very beginning, may we have the courage to claim our personal God breath, to claim our power.
Shabbat shalom,
Laurie
Details at the bottom.
But don't skip the Torah (it's just a little Torah).
B'reishit
Genesis 1:1-6:8
"Let's start at the very beginning. It's a very fine place to start." These well known lyrics from "The Sound of Music" aren't refering to Torah. But, that's exactly what's about to happen. This Shabbat we begin reading the Torah from the very beginning. We start wtih the story of creation affirming humanity's unique partnership with God. If you haven't ever read it all the way through, you should. Put down whatever you are doing. Google "Genesis 1:1-6:8" and read the entire portion.
What? You don't have time right now? You are busy with something really important?
Well, promise yourself, that you will read it by Sunday evening. That's doable right?
If you can't read the entire portion, just read the stories of creation. That's right. There is more than one. There are actually two creation stories. What's the difference? Here's a clue; the order of creation is different from story to story.
God is busy, really busy filling the world with "stuff". There is heaven and earth. Water and land. Sun, moon and stars. Day and night. Birds. Cattle. Trees. And so much more. In fact, God creates so much "stuff" that after only six days of work, God ceases to create FOREVER. That's right. God spends six days creating and then leaves it all in our hands. God puts humanity in charge of EVERYTHING. That's right. We are the boss of everything. We are the "Big Man on Campus". The Chief. That's us. This responsibility and privilege was given to all humanity God's breath was our first breath.
God spent six days creating the foundation of everything we would need to carry creation forward. God put things in motion and since day eight, it's been up to humanity to decide what comes next.
That's the question. What will be next? What will each of us do with our personal God breath? My teacher, Rabbi Levi Lauer, with his hands raised said; "If God has hands today, these are his hands." Pointing to his own lips, "If God has a mouth. This is God's mouth." "If God has a heart. This is God's heart." You get the idea.
What will we do with our own personal God breath? What will we do with all that power? God gave us breath. God gave us power. What we choose to do is up to us.
If God has power, WE are God's power.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, as we move into the Shabbat, move into the very beginning, may we have the courage to claim our personal God breath, to claim our power.
Shabbat shalom,
Laurie
10.2.15 Global Response
It's happening! Beineinu - "between us" - we created High Holy Days that were energizing, filled with meaning and joy. Thank you for putting your whole self in! That was the beginning. We have an exciting calendar filled with Shabbat and holiday celebrations, justice work and simply social opportunities for everyone.
Be part of building your community. Most importantly, come! Join us often. Tell your friends and bring them with you. Share your questions and ideas. Volunteer to host a gathering in your home. Underwrite a program or support our general operations. Contact Rabbi Laurie for details. Contributions can be made on our website via paypal or by check.
We look forward to an amazing year ahead "Beineinu".
B'vracha (in blessing),
Laurie and Daphna
Torah! Torah! Torah!
I woke up on Wednesday morning at my usual time. That's whenever Daisy decides she needs to go outside. (Are you practicing vulnerability? Daisy wants to know). We start making our way through the kitchen towards the backyard. One of the perks of living in Harlem. I am not paying attention. I have done this morning ritual over 300 times (October 26th will be a year). The outside light turns on and it catches me by surprise. It's motion sensitive and turns on when we step outside. I look up and I cannot believe what I am seeing. I cannot believe what has happened, has actually happened. Apparently the winds and rains from Tuesday night were so harsh that our entire Sukkah had fallen down. The entire structure collapsed.
The only other time this happened was when I was four years old. We had just moved into our new home, in Michigan, and my dad built our Sukkah on the driveway. It didn't take much to topple this structure. No rain or wind. I think we might have been breathing nearby. My abba, and our whole family built many amazing, beautiful and strong Sukkot over the next two decades.
Back to now. I am staring out the window and I don't know how to react. I have never seen anything like this. The Sukkah is down. We walk outside and I still cannot fully absorb what has happened. The Sukkah seems to have fallen as tenderly as a standing deck of cards. The sides must have fallen first and then the roof somehow made its way to the ground slowly and gently, still fully in tact. The corn stalks we used for the "schach"/roof (say that 10 times fast) didn't budge. It almost looked like it was taking a nap.
I start to panic. "Tonight is the 'Sukkah Stop'. People are coming over to sit in the Sukkah, to bless/shake the lulav/etrog." My panic level rises. "What am I going to do?" I would like to say that my initial reaction was as graceful as the Sukkah's falling. But, I must be honest. It wasn't. After a few minutes thought I realized that I was not staring at a collapsed Sukkah (Ok. I was staring at a collapsed Sukkah.) I was face to face with the true teaching of Sukkot; it's all fragile. The Sukkah, lying there, unable to fulfill it's responsibilities, embodied the deepest layer of the holiday. Life, love, relationships, faith, they are all fragile.
We must nurture and nourish these pieces in our lives and honor the moments when they feel fully realized. We must express gratitude, demonstrating our understanding that these are not "givens" but rather precious gifts. It's all fragile.
5:00 o'clock came and so did people. We sat indoors with a grand view of the fallen Sukkah. We blessed the lulav and etrog. We felt grateful.
On Yom Kippur, I spoke about the need for a global response to kindness. This was in response to a sports commentator I heard a few nights before while watching a Mets Yankees game. There was a lot of discussion around how many innings the Mets pitcher, Matt Harvey could play, having had the surgery several months before. The commentator was promoting the need for a "global response" to research around the effects and aftermath of the Dr. Frank Jobe surgery, known to all as the Tommy John surgery.
Really? Really? A global response? Really? The entire world should put effort, energy and resources into studying the long term effects of this surgery? Really?
I would support advocating for, even demanding a global response to hunger, to poverty, to the refugee crisis, to violence. There are too many to list.
In an effort to focus my energy on what I can control, I am calling for a global response to kindness. In the face of all that is fragile and all that is out of our control, let's take charge of kindness. Let's commit to (at least) one intentional act of kindness a day towards those we know and at least one intentional act of kindness towards the "other", the stranger, the one we don't know and/or might not want to know.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, as we make our way into Shabbat Sukkot, may we be mindful of the fragile pieces in our lives. May we use this knowledge to nurture ourselves, our relationships and our faith. May all of this lead to greater kindness.
Check in with yourself. Which "kivuun"(direction) are you heading towards? Are you steering towards not needing to be right? Are you steering towards compassion? Are you steering towards peace?
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach - May Shabbat be blessed with wholeness and peace,
Laurie
Be part of building your community. Most importantly, come! Join us often. Tell your friends and bring them with you. Share your questions and ideas. Volunteer to host a gathering in your home. Underwrite a program or support our general operations. Contact Rabbi Laurie for details. Contributions can be made on our website via paypal or by check.
We look forward to an amazing year ahead "Beineinu".
B'vracha (in blessing),
Laurie and Daphna
Torah! Torah! Torah!
I woke up on Wednesday morning at my usual time. That's whenever Daisy decides she needs to go outside. (Are you practicing vulnerability? Daisy wants to know). We start making our way through the kitchen towards the backyard. One of the perks of living in Harlem. I am not paying attention. I have done this morning ritual over 300 times (October 26th will be a year). The outside light turns on and it catches me by surprise. It's motion sensitive and turns on when we step outside. I look up and I cannot believe what I am seeing. I cannot believe what has happened, has actually happened. Apparently the winds and rains from Tuesday night were so harsh that our entire Sukkah had fallen down. The entire structure collapsed.
The only other time this happened was when I was four years old. We had just moved into our new home, in Michigan, and my dad built our Sukkah on the driveway. It didn't take much to topple this structure. No rain or wind. I think we might have been breathing nearby. My abba, and our whole family built many amazing, beautiful and strong Sukkot over the next two decades.
Back to now. I am staring out the window and I don't know how to react. I have never seen anything like this. The Sukkah is down. We walk outside and I still cannot fully absorb what has happened. The Sukkah seems to have fallen as tenderly as a standing deck of cards. The sides must have fallen first and then the roof somehow made its way to the ground slowly and gently, still fully in tact. The corn stalks we used for the "schach"/roof (say that 10 times fast) didn't budge. It almost looked like it was taking a nap.
I start to panic. "Tonight is the 'Sukkah Stop'. People are coming over to sit in the Sukkah, to bless/shake the lulav/etrog." My panic level rises. "What am I going to do?" I would like to say that my initial reaction was as graceful as the Sukkah's falling. But, I must be honest. It wasn't. After a few minutes thought I realized that I was not staring at a collapsed Sukkah (Ok. I was staring at a collapsed Sukkah.) I was face to face with the true teaching of Sukkot; it's all fragile. The Sukkah, lying there, unable to fulfill it's responsibilities, embodied the deepest layer of the holiday. Life, love, relationships, faith, they are all fragile.
We must nurture and nourish these pieces in our lives and honor the moments when they feel fully realized. We must express gratitude, demonstrating our understanding that these are not "givens" but rather precious gifts. It's all fragile.
5:00 o'clock came and so did people. We sat indoors with a grand view of the fallen Sukkah. We blessed the lulav and etrog. We felt grateful.
On Yom Kippur, I spoke about the need for a global response to kindness. This was in response to a sports commentator I heard a few nights before while watching a Mets Yankees game. There was a lot of discussion around how many innings the Mets pitcher, Matt Harvey could play, having had the surgery several months before. The commentator was promoting the need for a "global response" to research around the effects and aftermath of the Dr. Frank Jobe surgery, known to all as the Tommy John surgery.
Really? Really? A global response? Really? The entire world should put effort, energy and resources into studying the long term effects of this surgery? Really?
I would support advocating for, even demanding a global response to hunger, to poverty, to the refugee crisis, to violence. There are too many to list.
In an effort to focus my energy on what I can control, I am calling for a global response to kindness. In the face of all that is fragile and all that is out of our control, let's take charge of kindness. Let's commit to (at least) one intentional act of kindness a day towards those we know and at least one intentional act of kindness towards the "other", the stranger, the one we don't know and/or might not want to know.
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, as we make our way into Shabbat Sukkot, may we be mindful of the fragile pieces in our lives. May we use this knowledge to nurture ourselves, our relationships and our faith. May all of this lead to greater kindness.
Check in with yourself. Which "kivuun"(direction) are you heading towards? Are you steering towards not needing to be right? Are you steering towards compassion? Are you steering towards peace?
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach - May Shabbat be blessed with wholeness and peace,
Laurie
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