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
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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