Calling to Holiness

Posted by on Sep 06, 2008 in News & Updates, Rosh Hashanah | 2 comments

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, calling[/tags]


Related posts:

Rosh Hashanah Drosh 5769 Calling…Do you Answer? My Favorite Posts of 2008 Elul 5769 Torah Study L’Shana Tova

2 Comments

  1. Bill / September 8, 2008

    Thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen, think and feel.

    The reading let me think that like Abraham, I recently have become an older man with all the gifts that could be asked for. A child who has brought me all of the reminders of Spirit, laughter and goodness. My Daughter, Tara, lets all the light of the Lord flow through me when I am with her and trust, that the Lord will take care of us. (My daughter indicates that she is abused by her mother's boyfriend and I have been recovering from years of ill health and economic impoverishment.)
    Having a daughter has brought me to look for a new covenent with G-d.
    I think that I am not actually asked for anything more that sharing that which I have with him as he requests, in trust that I will always have enough and will be protected, sheltered and loved.
    It is becoming easier each year to accept this despite the horrendous things that keep happening to us. Thanks for this opportunity.
    The song simply keeps me within myself, the God and the Goddess.
    Thanks again
    Bill

  2. Cat / September 14, 2008

    I've been trying to get Holiness to play. but I can't doit :(