Jewish Musings Monday, June 3

[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]

The second chapter in the Book of Numbers / B'Midbar sees God's giving Moses and Aaron the details of how the Israelite camp is to be arranged around the Tabernacle — on which side each tribe is to stand — along with the chieftain of the tribe and the number of troops in each tribe. (2:1–14)

One lesson we can take from this description comes from that simple fact that the Tabernacle is at the center of the Israelite camp. So one result we might assume is that the purpose of the Jewish people is to be a holy people, a people centered around its traditions, not all of which are "religous" in nature. The Tabernacle was like a portable version of Mount Sinai. The arrangement of the tribes around the Tabernacle is not at all random. A midrash says that the tribes stood around it in exactly the same pattern as their ancestors stood around Jacob’s coffin when they carried him back to Israel for burial. In this way, we learn that Jews always carry our memories with us. While I personally don't hold that the "religious" part of Judaism is the "main" or even the "most important" part of Judaism (consider for a moment the concept that Judaism is a full "civilization" not unlike other ancient civilizations that no longer exist; we still do), I do accept that the religious aspect is one (some might say important) aspect of being Jewish.

What are some of your early memories of being part of the Jewish people? (My earliest memories have nothing to do with the religious aspects of Judaism. I was raised as a secular Jewish person; my Sunday School taught us about the history of the Jewish People and I didn't learn about God in Sunday School.)

[gazelle18]

As you know, I grew up in a very small Jewish community in Louisiana. Because of its small size, the community seemed to ALL gather on Friday night at our tiny synagogue for Shabbat services, and then , most importantly, the Oneg Shabbat. I remember suffering through services, and then enjoying goodies at the oneg Shabbat and hanging with my small cadre of Jewish friends. This was a formative experience for me .

[louise]

I have a strong memory os marching (walking?) with a flag on Simchat Torah. As I rememebr it there was an apple stuck onto the top of the flag stick with a candle stuck inside the apple (lit of course). Can't imagine such a thing today! But anyway, this was a group activity. I also remember being Esther on Purim. And the big seders we would have using the ping pong table in the basement. I guess these aren't about part of the larger Jewish community but they are early memories of gathering together with other Jews.

[lee058]

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

I have a cold and sore throat, and do not feel good. Hopefully I will be better soon.

Re today's topic: Some of my earliest Jewish-related memories are based on reading kids' books about Judaism. I always loved to read.

Have a peaceful day, Lee