I am grateful this Yom Kippur for every gift in my life, especially just the chance to wake up each day and start again. Thank you to all who support me in so many ways. I hope that I’ve in no way injured you in the past year, and I hope in the year to come we will all feel that our work together mutually supports each other more and more to help create Tikkun haNefesh and Tikkun Olam!
[update: got a request to post a version with less talking, more singing. So here it is! Modah Ani, song only.]
Tags: feminine, gratitude, hebrew, jewish prayer, judaism, Kohenet, modah ani, prayer, shacharit, woman
Portable personal altar with Kohenet symbol and Ketzirah's "cipher"
Head over to Embroidered Prayers to learn more.
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Tags: altars, ciphers, embroidery, fiber art, judaism, Kohenet, symbols, totems
Today was the launch of the new Peeling a Pomegranate newsletter. It’s an evolution of the Rosh Chodesh guides that I published for several years, but now the focus is more clearly on helping people (you!) live a life that is more connected to Judaism and Jewish practice.
Tishrei 5772 begins at Sundown on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The shofar is not only a symbol we all associate with Tishrei, but it’s also a symbol of Judaism. Many of us only think about the shofar at the High Holy days, but in ancient times it was used regularly in religious rites.
(Psalm 81:3)
Tags: earth, history, rosh chodesh, Rosh Hashanah, shofar, symbolism, tishrei, totem
(photo: Love Fusion Photography by Kelsey/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)
It’s Jewish tradition to read Psalm 27 daily during the month of Elul, which falls during August and September. In this month of Elul, we have no holidays. It’s the month where we are supposed to turn inward and prepare for the High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. It always seems like this month should be one of quiet reflection, but it never is for me.
>>>> Read the rest of this post at NPR’s “Being Blog.” >>>>>
Tags: elul, jewish, judaism, npr, on being, practices, psalms
On Kabbalat Shabbat this week at OneShul.org, I lead a brief exploration of Psalm 27 before the service. It’s traditional to read the psalm each day during the month of Elul, which we are currently in as I write this. Over at PunkTorah.org I wrote about ways to use this as a daily practice, whether or not you currently have a daily prayer practice. You’ll also find more of my personal exploration of this practice on the NPR “On Being” blog.
One thing I didn’t mention in my post on PunkTorah, is this can be a great practice for interfaith couples (Jewish/Christian). In this case, grab interpretations and translations by both Christian and Jewish authors and compare what they have to say. This is easiest if you are in a Jewish/Christian relationship, but if you are in another form of interfaith relationship — try using sacred poetry that draws on similar themes and exploring that. Also, if you are in an inter-denominational Jewish relationship — this can also be very useful. In this case, each of you can choose authors or commentaries that represent your denomination.
Now let’s explore some of the many amazing interpretations of Psalm 27 that are available to us today.
Free Online Resources:
- Mechon-Mamre: JPS 1917 Edition in Hebrew and English
- Velveteen Rabbi: Rachel Barenblatt, aka The Velveteen Rabbi, has a couple of great posts on Psalm 27.
- Rabbinic Assembly: A lovely and thoughtful commentary on Psalm27
- Schechter Institute: Nice explanation of the genesis of this tradition, and commentary about the psalm
Books & Music
- Featured in OneShul.org discussion:
- Rejoice, Beloved Woman!: The Psalms Revisioned
by Barbara Monda. The psalms reinterpreted through the lens of a Divine Feminine. The whole book is well worth it, each psalm is a treasure and the introduction is lovely.
- Opening to You: Zen-Inspired Translations of the Psalms
by Norman Fischer. The psalms as seen through the eyes of a Jewish man turned Buddhist. One of my all time favorite books on the psalms, and I’m really not into Buddhism.
- The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary
by David Alter. Both the translation and the commentary on the psalms is well worth it. David Alter is an eminent scholar of Jewish sacred texts.
- More Psalm 27 Options:
Tags: elul, interpretation, prayer, psalm 27, psalms, spiritual practices, translation
On this 10th anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington, don’t just remember the pain, fear and loss. Remember the joy, love and courage. From this day, choose how you will walk forward. Choose what lessons you will take from it. Choose the world you wish to live in.
God is Change,
And in the end,
God prevails.
But meanwhile…
Kindness eases Change.
Love quiets fear.
And a sweet and powerful
Positive obsession
Blunts pain,
Diverts rage,
And engages each of us
In the greatest,
The most intense
Of our chosen struggles.
~ From “The Parable of the Talents” by Octavia Butler
Tags: 9/11, change, octavia butler, remembrance
In case you missed Rosh Chodesh services at OneShul.org on Friday night, here’s the video. If you didn’t know, I’m leading monthly Rosh Chodesh services at OneShul.org every month! Come join me. You can attend in your pajamas through the wonder of cyberspace, the service is posted on the OneShul Prayer Service page. It’s live streaming video and during the service there is a live chat space (text, not video) so you can engage and interact with me and the other people who are attending.
Opening Painting: Elul by D’vorah Horn (used by permission of the artist)
Opening Music: Luley (psalm 27) Healing Chants for the Soul by Miraj
Additional Music: Tehom by Holly Shere from Hallelujah All Night (not yet available)
Tags: elul, music, oneshul, rosh chodesh, services, songs, video
Elul begins at sundown August 30th, 2011 and ends sundown on September 29th, 2011
Be sure to join me online at OneShul.org for Rosh Chodesh Services, at 7:30pm on August 30th, 2011.
Gad (גָּד), the patriarch and tribe associated with the month of Elul (אֱלוּל), is the seventh son of Jacob. Seven is a lucky number in many cultures, Judaism included, and not only is he the seventh son, but he also fathers seven sons. He is of the line of Leah, through Zilpah. Gad’s name means “good fortune,” and in Genesis 30:11 it says that “Leah said: ‘Fortune is come!’ And she called his name Gad.”
Tags: elul, holidays. tribes, jewish wheel of the year, judaism. calendar, rosh chodesh, Wheel of the Year
In case you missed Rosh Chodesh services at OneShul.org on Friday night, here’s the video. If you didn’t know, I’m leading monthly Rosh Chodesh services at OneShul.org every month! Come join me. You can attend in your pajamas through the wonder of cyberspace, the service is posted on the OneShul Prayer Service page. It’s live streaming video and during the service there is a live chat space (text, not video) so you can engage and interact with me and the other people who are attending.
Tags: 5771, art, av, jewish, judaism, music, online services, rosh chodesh, rosh chodesh service
