A little blog bling courtesy of the amazing Avielah Barclay and ChaiSpace.
Technorati Tags: soferet, blogs, l’shanah tovah, bling, chaispace
Archive for September, 2006
I want to explain why I’ve chosen the Mezuzah as my primary canvas of choice for my embroidery artwork, of late. One of the first, is that it is just so recognizably Jewish. Any Jew seeing a mezuzah on a door knows what it is and knows that there is a Jew living in the house. I also love it because it is an amulet! It’s a piece of Jewish Magick that is not only approved, but has Halakic laws that make it kosher. Now, being a more untraditional girl, I don’t worry as much about whether or not you have a truly kosher mezuzah. I think for many people just having one is a huge thing, but I do think it’s important to know the difference. If you buy a scroll that claims to be kosher — it should be kosher.
One of the things I love is the idea of keeping your spiritual life with you at all times. It’s not just something you do in synogogue. Mezuzahs are a literal way of binding the words of God to the doorposts of your house. It’s the line from the S’hma (or the V’Ahavta, if you prefer). I also love the idea of wearing a mezuzah. Just like we are told to bind them to the doorposts of our houses and gates, we’re also told to “And you shall bind them as a sign upon your arm and they shall be an ornament between your eyes.” This commandment is where tefilin comes from, but who (other than the rabbis) said this is how you have to interpret that. Why not where a pretty mezuzah on your coat or bag? Why not wear a lovely mezuzah pendant? How about a bindi in the shape of the letter shin — as the mark between your eyes? There is great spiritual resonance in following tradition, but it’s also found in creating your own interpretations of the traditions.
I realize that Mezuzah literally means doorposts, but it is the general term given to this type of amulet. I suppose I could just call them amulets, but that term doesn’t resonate with most people.
For me the mezuzah and other traditional ritual items are a great canvas. My embroidery work is a way of praying. Yes, sometimes I do sell the results — but I don’t undertake the act with the intent of earning income. The same way a soferet must approach her work as holy work, even if she is paid for the results. Each stitch is an act of love. Each piece is created as an expression of my spiritual core. Instead of singing or dancing — I pray and praise with needle and thread.
I hope this makes sense.
Technorati Tags: mezuzah, amulets, embroidery, judaism, jews, tradtions
My year of manifesting spirit is over. Last year the nine of fire card (Waking The Wild Spirit Tarot, by Poppy Palin) jumped from deck and became the driving symbol of my year. On Yom Kippur last year, I painted over a life mask of my face and turned it into the nine of fire personified.
This year has truly been one of finding my spiritual path and manifesting the tools to further it. From finding the path of the storyteller, to reclaiming my voice through embroidery, and of course — Kohenet.
Today I learned in the Jewish Book of Days that the 25th of Elul, which is today, was the day the dove returned to Noah with the olive branch and the anniversary of the first day of Creation. Today was the anniversary of light being separated from darkness. The day of new beginnings. That was an amazing revelation and really opened something for me.
Then — I pulled the 10 of fire this morning. The end of the fire cycle. I was pretty stunned. I know in my heart that this coming year is a year of manifesting earth. Now that my spiritual house is in order and moving forward, it’s time to bring the next pieces of the puzzle to the forefront. I’ll pull that card on Rosh Hashanah morning, and I’ve decided to repaint my beautiful mask on Yom Kippur again. “On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed.” I think next year I’ll do a mask making ritual on Yom Kippur to share my new personal ritual tradition with others, and experience it in community.
As for this year, I’m incredibly excited about Rosh Hashanah. Thanks to my amazing Kohenet teachers this summer at Elat Chayim, I’ve come home with a library of chants and songs. And especially thanks to Yofiyah, for her Kirtan style which I’ve begun using in ritual and it’s fantastic. I’ve adjusted it for the ritual use, but I’m forever indebted to her for sharing her gift of music with me and everyone else! I’ve not yet tried any of her songs — they are so beautiful but I don’t know any of them well enough to attempt leading them. I hope she records a live album at some point, because a studio one just doesn’t do justice to the experience.
This Rosh Hashanah ritual is almost 50% music. The idea is that the experience of learning each chant during the ritual is a microcosm of the entire progression of the ritual each time. I hope it works — and I’m very excited about it!
Technorati Tags: rosh hashanah, ritual, yofiah, earth-based judaism, judaism, high-holiday, elul, noah
Eve was not made from Adam’s head to reign over him,
nor from his feet, to be trampled by him,
but from his side, to be his equal,
under his arm, to be protected,
and next to his heart, to be loved.
Matthew Henry
18th century commentator on the bible
Thanks to Daniel Cohen for sharing this.
I just watched the incredible documentary on CBS. It was done by the two film makers who were there filming a documentary about a NYFD rookie and ended up smack in the middle of the tragedy in NYC.
I watched it crying. Remembering the fear of the day. Remembering watching the plane hit the second tower and then the confusion when the plane hit the Pentagon. Remembering people saying the State Department had been bombed. Remembering people saying the Capitol had been bombed, and running to call my husband who was at home — 7 blocks from the Capitol.
I remember walking home because we had been told Metro had shut down. I remember asking a police officer which way to go. He said to the nearest bar. I had to walk around the White House to get home, and the roads were closed for blocks.
I remember watching a man in a truck block fire trucks trying to get through to the Pentagon. I was at the corner of 7th and Pennsylvania NW. I remember watching the firemen get off their truck and nearly lift the man and his vehicle out of the way.
I remember making it to the Capitol and being overwhelmed with the joy of seeing that building still standing. I remember taking my shoes of and just walking barefoot, because I just couldn’t walk in my high-heeled shoes any more. I remember walking in the door and seeing my husband.
I remember the fear going to work the next day, and the next, and the next — wondering when the hell it was going to happen again.
I remember and I’m afraid to go to work tomorrow.
