Jewish Musings Tuesday, March 26

[hollygail]

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:

Frieda (hopefully)?
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[hollygail]

This week's Torah portion is called Tzav. It's built on the same root as mitzvah and means "command." We just started the Book of Leviticus, almost al of which basically talks about what to do regarding the portable tabernacle and all things "worship." In Tzav, God continues from last week's portion to describe the different laws of offerings/sacrifices. A distinction is made among sin offerings, burnt offerings, and homage/thanksgiving offerings, with each following its own process. God then commands the priests to make another offering that ordains themselves in their positions.

One of the lessons a person can take from the details is that the fire that burns perpetually on the altar symbolizes Judaism — and the Jewish people. In this way, the perpetual fire is like the burning bush that Moses saw, and the eternal light (ner tamid) in synagogues. These are all sources of warmth and light that will last forever — like Judaism and the Jews.

What ideas do you have regarding making sure that Judaism lasts forever?

One thing I do is teach about Judaism. I've been teaching 5th through 8th graders for more than 30 years. Some of my former students have gone into careers having to do with Judaism, including teaching in their local synagogues wherever they wind up after college. When my congregation was being housed on the campus of one of the Jewish day schools in San Diego, I bumped into a former student (from the 1990s!) who was working for that school (his office was down the hall from my own rabbi's). He gave me such a great hug! And he's only one. I still teach adults as well as pre-b. mitzvah students. The adults I influence continue the legacy with their families and friends (and their own congregations).

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: I think the best things we can do to make sure Judaism lasts forever is to talk, think, read and write about it. I've realized that I do this every day! Being Jewish is important to me. I don't do much compared to others in our group, but what I do has become a core value. I appreciate everyone's input!!

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[peachymom1]

I have great respect for all you do, Holly, and I know it makes a big difference to everyone you teach (and their families) to have such a wonderful person as you, passing on Jewish education and values.

I also have great respect for you, Lee, for taking the time you do to talk to your DS about Jewish topics, values, holidays and such. I think whatever we each can do to teach and influence the next generation, as well as everyone around us, is valuable and good.

I have done the best I could to instill Jewish values in my kids and to keep learning and growing Jewishly myself, along with DH. We couldn't afford day school for the kids, but we did send them to Hebrew school, and they did prepare for and become b'nei mitzvah. Two of them went to Israel on Birthright and had experiences the rest of us did not, but the rest of us certainly enjoyed their stories and pictures.

I don't know if reading Torah for my synagogue does anything to help Jewish continuity, but it sure helps me with MY Jewish continuity. :+)

[louise]

I feel we perpetuate our traditions by doing them. I would say Dor Vador event hough I have no choldren. I light the candles. I keep kosher. Itake advantage of the opportunities as they present them selves in synagogue to help people up another wrung on the lader. People that have never been on the bima learn they can open the ark (a non-speaking part I tell them) or wrap the torah (no worries, I will be up there with you). They are often beaming when they come back to their seats. Maybe the bext time they will volunteer (rather than being coaxed) or little by little take on something else.

[lee058]

(written early on Wednesday) This group is very important to me!! Thank you all for being here!!