Archive for June, 2006

Calling…Do you Answer?

Published by Ketzirah Carly קצירה on June 27, 2006 in Kohenet. 3 Comments

In about a month I start training to become a priestess. A lot of people are asking me why I’m doing this. “Am I just doing it for myself,” they ask? “Is it going to be a career?”

The only is answer is that I’m doing it because it’s what I have to do. But that’s not entirely true. I could refuse. It’s a calling, not an order. That’s what’s so interesting about a calling – you can say no. I sure did for a while, and I’m sure most people do too. Think about – what would you do if you suddenly got a phone call and heard,

“Hi, Carly, it’s God. Just wanted to let you know that you got the job. I know you didn’t realize that you were applying for one – no one ever seems too, must talk to Michael about that, but you’ve got it. Take a little time and think about it. It’s a hard job and the pay isn’t always great, but be sure to check out the benefits package. What you earn in spiritual fulfillment, is really unbeatable.”*

You’d check to make sure someone hadn’t spiked your cocoa – that’s what you’d do.

I’m doing this because I need to do it. I have a choice, and I choose this road. I know it’s not going to be easy. I know it’s not something most people can or will understand. I know that and I still know I need to do this.

Now comes all the personal struggle and doubt. I start questioning my actions, my worth, my goals, my sanity. None of that matters – I’m still going to do it. Then I start imagining the first training intensive, and worry that the other women won’t like me. Worse – they won’t respect me and I’ll fail. And again, it doesn’t matter – I’m still walking this path.

How? I take one step at a time. I put one foot in front of the other. I banish the doubts of others. I gather my friends closer and hope they’ll understand this. I pray they’ll stand by me and support me. I’m doing this because deep down, at my truest self, it’s who I am. I think that’s what scares me the most.

*Not exactly word-for-word, but you get the point.

Also posted to Wabi Sabi World


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Christ that’s Good Beer

Published by Ketzirah Carly קצירה on June 22, 2006 in Pomegranates. 0 Comments

Shmaltz BrewingA while ago I emailed the guys at Shmaltz Brewing and said they needed to show their Jewitch sisters some love with a Halloween Jewitch brew! Well, they responded, and I don’t think “Bubble, Bubble, Oy and Trouble” is exactly in the production line yet — but they did respond.

They noticed my love of pomegranates and told me that their 10th anniversary beer will feature the juice of 10,000 pomegranates. With that big of a sacrifice — I knew I had to check it out. This past week my wonderful husband found a bottle and we used it for Shabbat! I exchange borei pri hagafen for ha’adamah v’eytz” — fruit of the earth and tree. I must say — it’s a darn nice beer. Complex without being “winey” — which is impressive for a Jewish brew (you kind of expect whining).

In very tiny print on the label there’s this explanation of the origin and meaning behind the beer:

Creation, 1996, C.E.: On the floor of a San Francisco Mission District loft, intimate friends squeeze luscious pomegranates by-hand for the first 100 cases of HE’BREW’s Genesis Ale. Evolution, 2006: Shmaltz Brewing renews this sacred covenant, sacrificing over 10,000 pomegranates for our 10th Anniversary offering, Genesis 10:10. Revelation, on-going: In Jewish tradition, pomegranates symbolize righteousness, with seeds said to number 613, the total commandments in Torah. In Deut. 8:8, pomegranates, barley and wheat prove the bounty of the Land of Milk and Honey. In Exod. 28:33, G-d orders them embroidered on the robe of the High Priest. Kings 7:42 describes them sculpted on Solomon’s Jerusalem Temple. The calyx atop the fruit inspired the original Jewish crown. One Persian hero of myth consumed a pomegranate and became invincible. Muhammad instructed: “Eat the pomegranate, for it purges the system of envy and hatred.” Newlywed Greeks eager for a family crush one under-heel for fertility. Buddha cured a child-devouring demoness of her evil habit by instructing her to eat a pomegranate. Whether for knowledge or temptation, for virtue or strength, for art or for love
– Behold Genesis 10:10, the crowning glory to a decade of brewing …with chutzpah! To Life…L’Chaim!
Jeremy Cowan, proprietor

So, why am I shilling for them? Frankly, it’s because they make a good product and make me proud. They have sense of humor about being Jewish without putting it down. It’s not self-deprecating. It’s more, “Say it loud — I’m Yid and Proud.” That’s not something you see every day.

BTW — I found “Christ that’s Good Beer” on their site and almost died laughing. Normally, I don’t pinch graphics, but since they sent me the beer graphics I’m going to grab this one too, since I’m talking nice about them. ;)

Not intended to offend anyone

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