Jewish Musings, Sunday 10/8

[lee058]

Good morning everybody.  Hope you are all well and SAFE!

Please take some time to pray for Israel.

Today's topic:  Holidays

The origin of the word is simple:  "holy" plus "days."  They started out as remembering important events, and fasting or maybe feasting.  Somehow, these days, many holidays have turned into days for big sales, which are heavily advertised.  I think it's a shame that more people don't remember why the days are important, and do something to show it.

There are many things ordinary people can do to show their feelings.  The first one is to talk with others.  Some people refrain from ordinary activities.  

On the other hand, celebrating a day off work or school can be important too.  There are many ways to celebrate; they don't all have to be commercial.

One day I'm thinking of is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday.  I think it's awful that so many stores are open and having sales, instead of allowing workers to be with their families and friends.  I also think it can take away from the meaning of the holiday to be out shopping instead of sitting with those we love and care about.

Any comments?

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[peachymom1]

Good morning, shavua tov and chag sameach to all. I am just sick about what happened in Israel, and yes, I am praying for strength, hope, wisdom and peace for everyone.

I'm not in shul this morning because I still have a good amount of abdominal pain, though it is going away gradually. I have some good meds and am a bit loopy. I'm hoping I'll feel good enough by tomorrow to be able to work.

BBL, one of my sisters is calling.

[gazelle18]

I’m sick and in despair over what has happened in Israel. I’ve been glued to the tv and the news on the internet, and I’m praying for a peaceful end to this horrible situation.

Re holidays, I agree with Lee. Thanksgiving is a major fave of mine , and I think it’s a shame it has gotten overtaken with shopping.

[peachymom1]

About holidays, I do enjoy getting paid days off from work, but I do always pay attention to the holiday itself and what it means. And I agree about Thanksgiving - I really think shopping can wait a day, can't it?

[brgmsn]

I think unfortunately we are past the peaceful resolution. Netanyahu is a right wing hawk who will stop at nothing to get back at the aggressors. Making no comment as to whether I think it's appropriate or not as we don't know what the retaliation will look like. But there must be retaliation. How did Israel's intelligence miss this huge coordinated attack? My tin foil hat is on with this one.
Regardless, the world will view the retaliation as out of proportion and inappropriate. Happens every time.

[louise]

Sick over it.
As my rabbi said several times though, we did not cancel Simchat Torah. Our celebration was tempered but we still celebrated. Attendance was very good. We havespecial prayers for Israel scheduled for tomorrow evening and another gathering and candlelight vigil for Tuesday night to discuss it all.

I am very glad to have holidays this weekend that have no commercial value.

[hollygail]

I'm writing this Monday morning. Sunday school was scheduled for yesterday with the whole congregation invited. Typically, Reconstructionists smoosh Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah together, as does Israel (although I personally am still on the "diaspora" calendar, expecting to celebrate them separately), and this year, the rabbi (who trained, graduated and received ordination from the Reconstructionist seminary) and religious school director together (perhaps with a "go-ahead" from the Board) decided to have our Simchat Torah celebration on Oct. 8.

It became a bit subdued, due to the events of the previous 24-ish hours, but after a relatively brief weekday morning service (although we used the siddur more people were comfortable with, the Shabbat v'Chaggim (Sabbath and Festivals) one, during which she didn't quite "lose it" while referring to events of the day, we unfurled the Torah scroll around the room. She and I walked around the "inside" of the large "circle," telling people what was going on in the section where they were standing, and then she called all the kids who are in my class (combo 6/7) because they are on target to become b. mitzvah within the next couple of years, to the end of the scroll, where she read the end of the Torah loud enough for the entire room to hear. Then she called up the littlest kids and told them more information about the Torah, brought them to the beginning of the scroll where I chanted the verses describing the beginning of creation (through day one). After rerolling the scroll and placing it back in the Ark, she spoke a little more about events of the day (and again, almost losing it). And after greeting two people in particular whom I hadn't seen in years, a mother-daughter duo, and not only this daughter but her brother and sister had been my students back in probably 5th grade, which I haven't taught in more years than I remember, I too left to come home where I had another busy afternoon and never got back to the computer until after dinner last night.

And now you know why I didn't post on Sunday.