This is the drosh, more or less, that I’ll be giving at Rosh Hashanah on Tuesday night. I’ve invited several people to speak on the topic of being Called to Sacred Service. Usually I just speak from my heart, with only a little preparation, but then I never really know what I said. I thought this year I would try writing it out in advance, so I can share it. L’shana Tova. May you find abundance in the new year. ————————– Rosh Hashanah 5769 A lot of people talk to G!(d)dess, but very few actually hear the response. People pray and pray, and only if what they asked for is given in the way they expected it do they say their prayers were answered. But what happens if you are one of those who are in conversation with G!(d)dess? What if you are someone who hears the response, even when it’s not the one you wanted? That’s a major part of how I’ve experienced being “called.” I think that anyone who is in conversation with G!(d)dess finds that they have no choice but to share what they learn, even if it is indirect ways. The problem is that there isn’t usually a map provided when you are called; you act based on the best information you have. There are so many stories of prophets and holy men who just seemed to be jerks. Look at Abraham, twice he basically whores out his wife to Kings despite her objections. Not really a nice thing to do. Plus he kicks out his concubine and first son, and, of course is willing to sacrifice his second son. It seems like callings drive you nuts or drives everyone around you nuts. So what I wonder is how do I answer the call I’ve received without alienating everyone around me? Is that even possible? Can I answer the call without sacrificing material comfort? That’s a lot less to ask than sacrificing my son, but I’m still not okay with...
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Every year at Rosh Hashanah I have a section of the service dedicated to oral Torah. It’s the “sermon” section for lack of a better term. I think it some synagogues it is probably called midrash or “drosh.” At first it was my chance to teach and share, but over the years I’ve invited more and more people to participate. One year we did a little bibliodrama of the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-34) and last year I invited two other women, each at different points in their lives (Maiden, Mother, Crone), to speak on the topic of sacrifice – again calling on the traditional portion of the Binding of Issac. This year, I want to throw the gates wide open. I’m asking any and all of you who wish to participate – no matter where in the world you are. If you want to participate here’s the deal: Read the Torah portion of the Binding of Issac (Genesis 21:1-34) and listen to the song “Holiness,” which you can find on Reverbnation at no cost. It specifically sparked the drosh theme for this year. From there, just write about whatever you like on this theme (Calling to Holiness). It can be a direct commentary on the text or about your own personal experience of being called to sacred service. If you are a more visual person and would prefer to paint or create a visual representation — that too is very welcome. When you are ready, email your text or artwork and be sure to tell me how you would like to be credited, your website (if you have one) and if it’s okay to post your work to my site. Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think might be interested in participating. I’d love to get a wide range of spiritual experiences across many traditions. [tags]rosh hashanah, midrash, drosh,...
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Rosh Hashanah was wonderful. My sister and I went to Olney Kehillah, Holly Taya Shere’s congregation, for morning services and then had an incredible group of about 25 people for evening service at Moon Meadow Acre. The connections between some of the people were really surprising. It turned out that Holly knew one of the members of Becoming and a friend she brought with her. Hebrew Crunk! Next year we go hip hop for Rosh Hashanah — hmmm….I wonder…. But seriously, the response to the evening service just left me feeling so energized and positive about all the work I’m doing. It’s not that I have doubts, well I do but not serious ones, but getting to share a Rosh Hashanah experience that is true for me and have others say, “yes — we feel this too.” Damn. It’s just an incredible sensation. I’m in talks with Holly to do a Shabbat morning sing-a-long featuring her chants and beyond that I’m actually considering a monthly Shabbat morning service, maybe at Rock Creek Park. Part of the inspiration, besides the obvious, was a conversation with my sister yesterday. Part of the point of coming together as a community, she observed, is a common framework. It’s that sensation of history and common bonds through everyone knowing the same songs and prayers. It’s what’s really hard about going to a new synagogue or religious group. Until you understand their language of community you feel like an outsider. That’s why I want to do things like the Shabbat sing-a-long or Shabbat morning services. The more people who know the music the more “at home” they’ll feel on the high holidays or any other ritual. [tags]rosh hashanah, purpose, mission, names,...
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A little blog bling courtesy of the amazing Avielah Barclay and ChaiSpace. [tags]soferet, blogs, l’shanah tovah, bling,...
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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...
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Good Shabbos. May the blessings of Rachel Imeinu be with you all, and especially those who have served their country with honor. Poem copyright Carly Lesser (Chava Chai) Photograph:...
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Culture: I am fascinated by culture on most levels. I mostly focus on American culture and what makes us who we are as a country, but I'm also intrigued by sub-cultures in the USA and the growing global cultural trends.