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Post by gazelle18 on Sept 16, 2023 17:19:05 GMT -5
What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.
Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy
And for those of you who stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!
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Post by gazelle18 on Sept 16, 2023 17:33:38 GMT -5
Hi everyone, and Shana Tova,
How has your Rosh Hashanah been? Any interesting takeaways from synagogue, or enjoyable meals, or other stories to share?
I will be back in the morning to share my insights.
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lee058
This space for rent
Posts: 23,289 
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Post by lee058 on Sept 17, 2023 10:46:44 GMT -5
Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Happy New Year!!
Re today's topic: My only insight is that I'm glad we have been managing to get through all the hullaballoo of this past year!! I hope this coming year will be more peaceful and happier for all of us.
Have a peaceful day, Lee
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Post by hollygail on Sept 17, 2023 17:34:30 GMT -5
A coupla things. Yesterday's Torah reading had to do with the akeida, the binding of Isaac. Prior to the incident in which God tells Abraham to take his son, his only son, the one he loves up to Mount Morian to make a sacrifice, we get a different story. It's a day to celebrate Isaac and everyone's having a good time. At one point, Sarah glances over at Ishmael (the son of her husband and her / Sarah's handmaid Hagar; if you aren't familiar with why Sarah's maid has a child with Sarah's husband, just ask). Ishmael is having a good time. Sarah realizes that Isaac is not the oldest son of her husband (it's a period in history when being the oldest son means that's who inherits when the father dies). She tells Abraham to "get rid of" that servant and her child. Abraham is unsure what to do, asks God and what does God reply? The Hebrew verb is the same as the verb in the sh'ma, "Listen to (or Hear)" her, your wife... Many translations say "Do what your wife says" or something like that. But the verb in the Torah is merely the word that means "hear" or "listen." What's the possibility that God is telling Abraham to listen, really listen; why is your wife telling you to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael? Does Sarah feel threatened for her own son, maybe that Ishmael (being the father's first son) will inherit and Sarah's son will not inherit? Does Sarah feel jealous that Ishmael's mother may be favored by Abraham over her (Sarah)? Is she angry that Ishmael is having a good time? What's going on with Sarah?
However, not one of the translations mentions anything like this. All the translations indicate that God is telling Abraham to do what his wife is telling him to.
I never spent any time on this particular sentence before yesterday. My rabbi raised the issue (in front of the entire congregation!) (and everyone in the room was listening intently to find out where she was going with it). It really opened my eyes!
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Post by louise on Sept 17, 2023 18:03:15 GMT -5
I did what is for me a lot of torah reading today (4 out of 5 aliyot + the maftir. I love chanting the Akeida story; I needed some whispering from my rabbi to push me back on track when I fell off but I think I did respectbly well, even though I had some help - well isn't that why we have gabbaim? (people standing on either side of the torah table offering corrections).
Just got back from tashlich.
I have a goal for next year - to spin off the RH kiddush responsibilities. I do the purchasing and enlist the volunteers etc. I also ended up doing much of the cleanup. Enough!
My apple cake ws a real winner. Everyone loved it and it looked just beautiful.
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Post by peachymom1 on Sept 17, 2023 20:32:06 GMT -5
Holly, wouldn't it be amazing if people really listened and then pushed for understanding before doing something rash and/or potentially mean-spirited or harmful? I think I love your rabbi.
I read the sixth aliyah yesterday, which is normally the fourth aliyah (when it's not Shabbat). I used to read the first and second aliyot for today, but now someone else does them, and I do miss it. The trope is particularly poignant to me.
We had a big bunch at dinner Friday night, including some people I hadn't seen in a while, so it was wonderful, and I actually didn't overdo it with my eating. It's been a relaxing weekend of davening and insight.
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