The story of Adam and Eve is laden by centuries of commentary. But what is it really about? We are told that Adam and Eve first acquire language (Genesis 2:20) and then form the first marriage (2:24). But they lacked one thing more for the establishment of civilization: consciousness. The allegory of the Tree of Good and Evil relates how Adam and Eve become fully conscious. God has forbidden them to eat the fruit of the tree. The serpent then speaks to Eve, telling her that if she eats the fruit, “You will not surely die, for God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad (3:4).” Eve then evaluates this piece of information. She looks at the tree and its fruit, using her senses and intelligence to decide whether this information is correct. And then she decides that this alternative source of information can be trusted. She acts, eating the fruit, and giving the man some too. They then become fully conscious, making aprons to cover their nakedness. God, of course, has been watching; and for their disobedience, the man, the woman, and the serpent receive “punishments.” But are they really punishments?
Eve will bear children in pain. This is because, being conscious, humans can imagine what the future may bring. Fear has now come into the world. Animals have no smart phones or calendars. They can’t plan for or imagine what might happen if they give birth, go for surgery, or take a flight to Hawaii. Because of Eve’s decision, women due to have babies know that it will hurt and anticipate their pain. But wait! Before Eve receives her “punishment,” fear has already come into the world, just from having left the Animal State. Adam has already said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid because I am naked, so I hid (3:10). From this we see that consciousness can’t exist without fear. It’s an either-or proposition.
Adam’s “punishment” is that he has to work for a living, unlike the animals, whose food is provided by God. We might think that we’d prefer a world in which we don’t have to get up each morning and go to work. But we know it would be perfectly boring. And would we ever exchange the great gifts of being fully human: the ability to grow intellectually, spiritually, and morally, to be all that we can be? Would we ever give up Art, Science, Philosophy, Music, learning, beauty, and human achievement to return to the Animal State? Surely not.
The serpent’s “punishment” is to be despised. Who or what might the snake represent? The serpent is an alternative source of knowledge. Perhaps it is that non-intellectual, deeper knowing that some call “women’s intuition.” In our scientific society, non-intellectual sources of information are generally disparaged. In the story, the serpent’s information is, in fact, correct. The Chassidic Masters teach: everything is God. If so, the serpent is God too! Why would God ask Eve to go against a direct command? Perhaps God wants Adam and Eve to take responsibility for their decision. God has clearly planned for humanity to become conscious, but only if we agree to take responsibility for our choice. In effect, God is saying, don’t kvetch if you have to work for a living. Don’t complain that there is fear in the world. You chose it. And here is a detail that is often overlooked: God commanded us not to eat the fruit before we became fully conscious: before we knew right from wrong. In a certain sense, we can’t be held fully culpable for eating the fruit. However, God made sure that we could take responsibility for our choice.
Thank God that Eve ate the fruit! We owe her a great debt. We couldn’t be simultaneously in Gan Eden - the Animal State – and be fully, gloriously human. As soon as we became conscious, we had already left the Garden. But far from being angry, God gives the humans the gift of a suit of clothes and bars the way back into the Garden, sending us the important message that the way to experience re-union with God is never to go back to an imagined, idyllic past, but always forward, stepping eagerly into life, taking responsibility for our choices, traveling on that wondrous human path that leads back to God. Barring the way back into the garden describes the “hole” all of us human beings experience in our hearts: that feeling that we used to be smarter, happier, and more whole. The feeling that something is missing within us is a precious gift from God. It propels us into life to seek that union with God that we feel we have lost; before we received the blessing of the dance of choice that we engage in with God. The Eternal has dignified us, expressing unbounded love for us, and great confidence, that we are worthy of the tremendous power of choice and the ability to be responsible for our choices. May we express our love and gratitude to God by living up to the faith God has in us, and choosing to walk that path of spiritual and moral growth that surely leads back to reunion with God.
(Note: This article was abridged for inclusion in The Jewish Week, by editors.)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Volunteer Guest Bloggers from 9/11 Package Delivery in conjunction with Dorot
Marilyn and I visited R___ G___ .She was amazing. Smart, coherent, interesting, cultured, etc. She is 92 and has family in NY, children, etc. Nevertheless, she (to use her words) gets lonely at times and enjoyed the one hour visit. Marilyn and I both enjoyed meeting her and were pleased to participate in this wonderful outreach. --Jill Altman with Marilyn Scher
Unfortunately, B__ (our person) was not able to receive visitors. His wife answered the phone and said that he was very confused today and that we should not visit. We went back to Dorot for another name, then they let us know that there were no more visits. Good in a way that they had so many volunteers. -- Barbara Bova with Ruth Samberg
Betty, Bob and I visited a very sweet lady in Schwab House (West End Ave &
73rd St) and she was so pleasant and so lonely that we stayed about 2 hours.
She kept offering us Coca Cola and wanted to be a good hostess. She's about
85 and does get out a little but she fell last week and it's a little harder
for her now. But I think she will heal and Betty offered to come to her
house and take her to JASA on Fridays where they serve lunch and have
entertainment. I gave her the address of the Actors Temple and she may call
Access-A-Ride to bring her on a Friday night. She was exceedingly happy
with our visit.
We were also given another gentlemen to visit in the same building. Bob tried to contact
him but he had gone out for a walk with his aide. Bob left the package for him. --Florence Cohen with Betty Steiner and Bob Reicher
It went very well. Carlos and I got along very well and A__was very happy to see us. We were there about an hour an a half chatting about her and ourselves because she was interested and pleased with our visit. She's alert, articulate, goes to a synagogue nearby. We met her home care person but she did not join us; we learned about her family. She would like to see the Actors’ Temple but doesn't go out at night; she needs a walker. I suggested that maybe the day event (a tour of the synagogue) which started with the United Federation of Teachers (group visiting) would come up again and if it did I'd let her know; but the problem for her would be the stairs. She said she was going to request Dorot to have us both be sent there again; and as we left she said she couldn't wait to see what was sent in the bag. We told her about the Actors’ Temple, Rabbi Jill, and her music quest. She told us about her children and grandchildren. Carlos and I found it to be a gratifying experience --Estelle Levy with Carlos Ramirez
Our visit went well! Michael and I met a 95 year old holocaust survivor from Poland. Her daughter and son-in-law were also there. I played my violin for them all and fortunately they thoroughly enjoyed it. The daughter, who used to play violin herself, enjoyed it especially. Unfortunately, our visit wasn't long, as the daughter and her husband were due to go out and celebrate their anniversary. Still, we had a good time, however brief it was. I look forward to doing this again!--Daniel Constant with Michael Verdel
Unfortunately, B__ (our person) was not able to receive visitors. His wife answered the phone and said that he was very confused today and that we should not visit. We went back to Dorot for another name, then they let us know that there were no more visits. Good in a way that they had so many volunteers. -- Barbara Bova with Ruth Samberg
Betty, Bob and I visited a very sweet lady in Schwab House (West End Ave &
73rd St) and she was so pleasant and so lonely that we stayed about 2 hours.
She kept offering us Coca Cola and wanted to be a good hostess. She's about
85 and does get out a little but she fell last week and it's a little harder
for her now. But I think she will heal and Betty offered to come to her
house and take her to JASA on Fridays where they serve lunch and have
entertainment. I gave her the address of the Actors Temple and she may call
Access-A-Ride to bring her on a Friday night. She was exceedingly happy
with our visit.
We were also given another gentlemen to visit in the same building. Bob tried to contact
him but he had gone out for a walk with his aide. Bob left the package for him. --Florence Cohen with Betty Steiner and Bob Reicher
It went very well. Carlos and I got along very well and A__was very happy to see us. We were there about an hour an a half chatting about her and ourselves because she was interested and pleased with our visit. She's alert, articulate, goes to a synagogue nearby. We met her home care person but she did not join us; we learned about her family. She would like to see the Actors’ Temple but doesn't go out at night; she needs a walker. I suggested that maybe the day event (a tour of the synagogue) which started with the United Federation of Teachers (group visiting) would come up again and if it did I'd let her know; but the problem for her would be the stairs. She said she was going to request Dorot to have us both be sent there again; and as we left she said she couldn't wait to see what was sent in the bag. We told her about the Actors’ Temple, Rabbi Jill, and her music quest. She told us about her children and grandchildren. Carlos and I found it to be a gratifying experience --Estelle Levy with Carlos Ramirez
Our visit went well! Michael and I met a 95 year old holocaust survivor from Poland. Her daughter and son-in-law were also there. I played my violin for them all and fortunately they thoroughly enjoyed it. The daughter, who used to play violin herself, enjoyed it especially. Unfortunately, our visit wasn't long, as the daughter and her husband were due to go out and celebrate their anniversary. Still, we had a good time, however brief it was. I look forward to doing this again!--Daniel Constant with Michael Verdel
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Guest Bloggers: Volunteers Who Delivered Packages on 9/11 in conjunction with Dorot
Marilyn and I visited R___ G___ .She was amazing. Smart, coherent, interesting, cultured, etc. She is 92 and has family in NY, children, etc. Nevertheless, she (to use her words) gets lonely at times and enjoyed the one hour visit. Marilyn and I both enjoyed meeting her and were pleased to participate in this wonderful outreach. --Jill Altman with Marilyn Scher
Unfortunately, B__ (our person) was not able to receive visitors. His wife answered the phone and said that he was very confused today and that we should not visit. We went back to Dorot for another name, then they let us know that there were no more visits. Good in a way that they had so many volunteers. -- Barbara Bova with Ruth
Betty, Bob and I visited a very sweet lady in Schwab House (West End Ave &
73rd St) and she was so pleasant and so lonely that we stayed about 2 hours.
She kept offering us Coca Cola and wanted to be a good hostess. She's about
85 and does get out a little but she fell last week and it's a little harder
for her now. But I think she will heal and Betty offered to come to her
house and take her to JASA on Fridays where they serve lunch and have
entertainment. I gave her the address of the Actors Temple and she may call
Access-A-Ride to bring her on a Friday night. She was exceedingly happy
with our visit.
We were also given another gentlemen to visit in the same building. Bob tried to contact
him but he had gone out for a walk with his aide. Bob left the package for him. --Florence Cohen with Betty Steiner and Bob Reicher
It is very encouraging. Unfortunately, Bert (our person) was not able to receive visitors. His wife answered the phone and said that he was very confused today and that we should not visit. We went back to Dorot for another name, then they let us know that there were no more visits. Good in a way that they had so many volunteers. --Barbara Bova with Ruth Sandberg
It went very well. Carlos and I got along very well and A__was very happy to see us. We were there about an hour an a half chatting about her and ourselves because she was interested and pleased with our visit. She's alert, articulate, goes to a synagogue nearby. We met her home care person but she did not join us; we learned about her family. She would like to see the Actors’ Temple but doesn't go out at night; she needs a walker. I suggested that maybe the day event (a tour of the synagogue) which started with the United Federation of Teachers (group visiting) would come up again and if it did I'd let her know; but the problem for her would be the stairs. She said she was going to request Dorot to have us both be sent there again; and as we left she said she couldn't wait to see what was sent in the bag. We told her about the Actors’ Temple, Rabbi Jill, and her music quest. She told us about her children and grandchildren. Carlos and I found it to be a gratifying experience --Estelle Levy with Carlos Ramirez
Our visit went well! Michael and I met a 95 year old holocaust survivor from Poland. Her daughter and son-in-law were also there. I played my violin for them all and fortunately they thoroughly enjoyed it. The daughter, who used to play violin herself, enjoyed it especially. Unfortunately, our visit wasn't long, as the daughter and her husband were due to go out and celebrate their anniversary. Still, we had a good time, however brief it was. I look forward to doing this again!--Daniel Constant with Michael Verdel
Unfortunately, B__ (our person) was not able to receive visitors. His wife answered the phone and said that he was very confused today and that we should not visit. We went back to Dorot for another name, then they let us know that there were no more visits. Good in a way that they had so many volunteers. -- Barbara Bova with Ruth
Betty, Bob and I visited a very sweet lady in Schwab House (West End Ave &
73rd St) and she was so pleasant and so lonely that we stayed about 2 hours.
She kept offering us Coca Cola and wanted to be a good hostess. She's about
85 and does get out a little but she fell last week and it's a little harder
for her now. But I think she will heal and Betty offered to come to her
house and take her to JASA on Fridays where they serve lunch and have
entertainment. I gave her the address of the Actors Temple and she may call
Access-A-Ride to bring her on a Friday night. She was exceedingly happy
with our visit.
We were also given another gentlemen to visit in the same building. Bob tried to contact
him but he had gone out for a walk with his aide. Bob left the package for him. --Florence Cohen with Betty Steiner and Bob Reicher
It is very encouraging. Unfortunately, Bert (our person) was not able to receive visitors. His wife answered the phone and said that he was very confused today and that we should not visit. We went back to Dorot for another name, then they let us know that there were no more visits. Good in a way that they had so many volunteers. --Barbara Bova with Ruth Sandberg
It went very well. Carlos and I got along very well and A__was very happy to see us. We were there about an hour an a half chatting about her and ourselves because she was interested and pleased with our visit. She's alert, articulate, goes to a synagogue nearby. We met her home care person but she did not join us; we learned about her family. She would like to see the Actors’ Temple but doesn't go out at night; she needs a walker. I suggested that maybe the day event (a tour of the synagogue) which started with the United Federation of Teachers (group visiting) would come up again and if it did I'd let her know; but the problem for her would be the stairs. She said she was going to request Dorot to have us both be sent there again; and as we left she said she couldn't wait to see what was sent in the bag. We told her about the Actors’ Temple, Rabbi Jill, and her music quest. She told us about her children and grandchildren. Carlos and I found it to be a gratifying experience --Estelle Levy with Carlos Ramirez
Our visit went well! Michael and I met a 95 year old holocaust survivor from Poland. Her daughter and son-in-law were also there. I played my violin for them all and fortunately they thoroughly enjoyed it. The daughter, who used to play violin herself, enjoyed it especially. Unfortunately, our visit wasn't long, as the daughter and her husband were due to go out and celebrate their anniversary. Still, we had a good time, however brief it was. I look forward to doing this again!--Daniel Constant with Michael Verdel
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Taking and Giving
This week’s Torah portion is Korach, the name of a cousin of Moses, who sought to wrest power away from Moses and Aaron with three of his neighbors from the tribe of Reuben and 250 other leaders. Korach and two of those neighbors, die in an earthquake; and the 250 other rebels also perish. Moses and Aaron, with God’s help and support, survive the insurrection. The portion (Num. 16:1) begins, “Now Korah, son of Izhar, son of Kohat, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On, son of Pelet, sons of Reuben, took.”
The Zohar (III 176a) asks, “What did he take? “ And the answer given is: “He took an evil counsel for himself.” The Zohar goes on to explain, “If one runs after that which is not his, it flies from him, and what is more, he loses his own as well. So Korah pursued that which was not his, and he lost his own without obtaining the other. Korach quarreled with peace, and the one who quarrels with peace quarrels with the Holy Name, because the Holy Name is called peace. Korah tried to upset peace on high and below. The words, “Korach took,” are telling in this portion, because they say it all. When we were young many of us thought we were given life to become the best we could be in order to be able to learn how to take all that might be available to us. Korach too, misunderstood his mission on earth. He thought he was placed here, at that location and time, to make a name for himself, to win respect and power, to take what he could, and to enjoy all the fruits of life.
It is somewhat fitting that this week’s Torah portion is about leadership.
It is a great blessing for me to be here with all of you. I want to express to you my profound gratitude and thanks that you have allowed me to be here for the last five years to give and not to take. I have enjoyed many, many fruits of life at The Actors’ Temple, but they have all been secondary to the great privilege of being able to serve and to give in and to all of you and this wonderful synagogue. It is a place where we each can give, according to our talents and inclinations, to build up this spiritual community for each other; where we can learn and grow together: sometimes making mistakes, sometimes needing to apologize to one another and making peace, but with open, loving hearts, and the intention to strive to be more and more of a blessing: to support each other and this synagogue, and to be the kind of community we can be proud of. We are on each other’s spiritual paths, and as such we can take steps together to continue to innovate, to continue to grow, to continue to pray, laugh, learn, and help each other. As we enter the journey toward the next five years, please let me know your ideas for the future. Please suggest ways that you want to contribute to this synagogue and to those friends you have made here. Please let me know how I can give to you and support you. I am so grateful to all of you for being here tonight and for allowing me the privilege of serving you at The Actors’ Temple. Thank you with all my heart.
The Zohar (III 176a) asks, “What did he take? “ And the answer given is: “He took an evil counsel for himself.” The Zohar goes on to explain, “If one runs after that which is not his, it flies from him, and what is more, he loses his own as well. So Korah pursued that which was not his, and he lost his own without obtaining the other. Korach quarreled with peace, and the one who quarrels with peace quarrels with the Holy Name, because the Holy Name is called peace. Korah tried to upset peace on high and below. The words, “Korach took,” are telling in this portion, because they say it all. When we were young many of us thought we were given life to become the best we could be in order to be able to learn how to take all that might be available to us. Korach too, misunderstood his mission on earth. He thought he was placed here, at that location and time, to make a name for himself, to win respect and power, to take what he could, and to enjoy all the fruits of life.
It is somewhat fitting that this week’s Torah portion is about leadership.
It is a great blessing for me to be here with all of you. I want to express to you my profound gratitude and thanks that you have allowed me to be here for the last five years to give and not to take. I have enjoyed many, many fruits of life at The Actors’ Temple, but they have all been secondary to the great privilege of being able to serve and to give in and to all of you and this wonderful synagogue. It is a place where we each can give, according to our talents and inclinations, to build up this spiritual community for each other; where we can learn and grow together: sometimes making mistakes, sometimes needing to apologize to one another and making peace, but with open, loving hearts, and the intention to strive to be more and more of a blessing: to support each other and this synagogue, and to be the kind of community we can be proud of. We are on each other’s spiritual paths, and as such we can take steps together to continue to innovate, to continue to grow, to continue to pray, laugh, learn, and help each other. As we enter the journey toward the next five years, please let me know your ideas for the future. Please suggest ways that you want to contribute to this synagogue and to those friends you have made here. Please let me know how I can give to you and support you. I am so grateful to all of you for being here tonight and for allowing me the privilege of serving you at The Actors’ Temple. Thank you with all my heart.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Peace Not Only in Heaven
This week’s Torah portion is Shelach Lecha, which means, send forth for yourself. It tells the famous story of the scouts or spies, sent to have a first glimpse of the Promised Land. God gave permission for 12 leaders, one from each tribe, to be sent by Moses to bring back a report on the land, the people in it, and its produce. The scouts return, bringing with them the fruit of the land and they give a public report in which they affirm that the land is good, “But,” and this is a fatal but; 10 out of 12 of them said, in effect, we will never be able to conquer it. We are far too weak. The land is fully settled, fortified, and the people are too strong. The scouts demoralized the Israelites, who became afraid and wanted to return to Egypt. Because of the people’s fear and lack of faith, in spite of God leading them around with a pillar of cloud and feeding them manna each day, God concluded that only their children who had not been enslaved, would inherit the land and that they must wander for 38 more years. The ten scouts died in a plague.
Many Torah sages have asked, what was the scouts’ great sin? They were sent to reconnoiter the territory and come back and give their opinion, which they did. They were telling the truth as they saw it. So why, if this was their honest opinion, did they suffer for what they said? We know that we all make mistakes: we make them frequently. Mistakes are part of being human and seem to be the way we learn. But there is a higher standard when a leader causes others to go astray than when that leader does something wrong that only affects him or her personally. Making a public declaration instead of reporting privately to Moses was the beginning of the scouts’ wrongdoing. And it has to do with self aggrandizement, or an excess of ego. Perhaps they wanted to feel important, and seem important to the others. Perhaps they enjoyed their moment in the spotlight and their momentary opportunity for leadership. But this was not their only transgression. Perhaps their major sin was that the spies sowed divisiveness. It doesn’t sound like such a terrible sin. But seen in the larger context of the nature of reality, it takes on much wider proportions.
The people had been wandering for two years and were all ready to conquer the land, until the spies’ report. The spies divided the people from Moses and Aaron, and also from Joshua and Caleb. Tragically, the spies also divided the people from God. The portion says, “The entire assembly raised up and issued its voice; the people wept that night.” Not only was there division: there was fear and grief: unhappiness and suffering. This is what division causes. Division: separating ourselves from each other and the Divine Oneness of the Universe, causes unhappiness and suffering. I also think separating causes illness, as it says, “ …the people who spread the evil report about the land died in a plague before God (14:37).”
The Chassidic sage, Abraham Joshua Heschl of Apt, quotes a midrash: “It is written, The one who makes peace in the heaven, should make peace among us. The sages ask, what sort of peace needs to be made in the heavens? It is because the angel Mi’chael is the prince of water and the angel Gavriel is the prince of fire. And although water extinguishes fire, still there is peace among them And even more so, there are angels who are half water and half fire and even in them there is peace.”
The nature of God and the Universe is harmony and oneness. And this includes us. Any time we separate, by separating ourselves, or by trying to separate others, by our speech or actions, we create a disharmony that goes against the harmony and oneness of God and life. It creates little bits of death, as Moses said in Deuteronomy (30:19), “I have placed before you life and death, blessing and curse; and you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your offspring, to love God your God, to listen to God’s voice, and to cleave to God, for The Eternal is your life and the length of your days.” Moses was trying to tell us that cleaving to the Divine; that is, not creating the little separations that we all create, will promote life in our lives. It promotes happiness. It allows us to move through life in sync with the true structure of God and the Universe. God’s very nature is peace. When we sow discord, we go against God, and life, and our own happiness. Why did the Israelites have to wander for another 38 years? To reestablish their connection with God and each other. Call it team building. Or call it the development of a more fearless attachment to the Divine Presence. When we find the harmony of living with each other in peace, we will have found the true nature of life, God, and ourselves. May we realize that creating divisions is not only counter-productive but counter to ultimate reality. May we choose to let unity, harmony, and peace flow through us, that we may extend life for ourselves and those around us.
Many Torah sages have asked, what was the scouts’ great sin? They were sent to reconnoiter the territory and come back and give their opinion, which they did. They were telling the truth as they saw it. So why, if this was their honest opinion, did they suffer for what they said? We know that we all make mistakes: we make them frequently. Mistakes are part of being human and seem to be the way we learn. But there is a higher standard when a leader causes others to go astray than when that leader does something wrong that only affects him or her personally. Making a public declaration instead of reporting privately to Moses was the beginning of the scouts’ wrongdoing. And it has to do with self aggrandizement, or an excess of ego. Perhaps they wanted to feel important, and seem important to the others. Perhaps they enjoyed their moment in the spotlight and their momentary opportunity for leadership. But this was not their only transgression. Perhaps their major sin was that the spies sowed divisiveness. It doesn’t sound like such a terrible sin. But seen in the larger context of the nature of reality, it takes on much wider proportions.
The people had been wandering for two years and were all ready to conquer the land, until the spies’ report. The spies divided the people from Moses and Aaron, and also from Joshua and Caleb. Tragically, the spies also divided the people from God. The portion says, “The entire assembly raised up and issued its voice; the people wept that night.” Not only was there division: there was fear and grief: unhappiness and suffering. This is what division causes. Division: separating ourselves from each other and the Divine Oneness of the Universe, causes unhappiness and suffering. I also think separating causes illness, as it says, “ …the people who spread the evil report about the land died in a plague before God (14:37).”
The Chassidic sage, Abraham Joshua Heschl of Apt, quotes a midrash: “It is written, The one who makes peace in the heaven, should make peace among us. The sages ask, what sort of peace needs to be made in the heavens? It is because the angel Mi’chael is the prince of water and the angel Gavriel is the prince of fire. And although water extinguishes fire, still there is peace among them And even more so, there are angels who are half water and half fire and even in them there is peace.”
The nature of God and the Universe is harmony and oneness. And this includes us. Any time we separate, by separating ourselves, or by trying to separate others, by our speech or actions, we create a disharmony that goes against the harmony and oneness of God and life. It creates little bits of death, as Moses said in Deuteronomy (30:19), “I have placed before you life and death, blessing and curse; and you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your offspring, to love God your God, to listen to God’s voice, and to cleave to God, for The Eternal is your life and the length of your days.” Moses was trying to tell us that cleaving to the Divine; that is, not creating the little separations that we all create, will promote life in our lives. It promotes happiness. It allows us to move through life in sync with the true structure of God and the Universe. God’s very nature is peace. When we sow discord, we go against God, and life, and our own happiness. Why did the Israelites have to wander for another 38 years? To reestablish their connection with God and each other. Call it team building. Or call it the development of a more fearless attachment to the Divine Presence. When we find the harmony of living with each other in peace, we will have found the true nature of life, God, and ourselves. May we realize that creating divisions is not only counter-productive but counter to ultimate reality. May we choose to let unity, harmony, and peace flow through us, that we may extend life for ourselves and those around us.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Guest Blogger: Steve Greenstein
Many times I have gone to the Actors Temple and I say I live in
Newark...I am usually greeted with a face of why? Followed by
distorted views about the city, and many negative comments. If you
watch the powerful media, there is no wonder why, a killing gets lots
of press.
The fear factor sets in, and a whole city is labeled one big inner city
violent ghetto. You have to look past the headlines, and see we live
in many different America's. On July 5th I attended the New Jersey
Symphony concert right here in Branch Brook Park, followed by fire
works. All for free in a beautiful park designed by the Olmsteads of Central Park fame..
Later in the week I attended a free concert here in Essex county, the
Great Harlold Melvin and the Blue Notes. The awesome black soul group of the
70's which great hits like "The love I lost.." and the classic " If
you don't know me by now"..The park was filled with Blacks, whites, hispanics all
grooving to the geat tunes..Middle age folks breaking out in dance
steps on a hot summer night under a bright moon.
I have taught school in Newark for ten years as a parallel career to
being an actor. I have taught at Arts High and just about every
elementary school in the Ironbound section of Newark. I know the city, and that is why this latest killing on the news has gotten to me so deeply. On Friday a
young black woman, a graduate of Arts High and now a teacher was
gunned down outside a restaurant. Twenty seven years old, a life
infront of her. A gifted musician as well and a stellar person. Wrong
place, wrong time. A Black cop, off duty gunned down outside a pizza
joint a month ago.. random senseless...I could go on and on..but why
break our hearts. I have a beautiful vegetable garden here in Newark.
Every year awards are given out to residents from all over the city.
Its a great ceremony attended by so many people of different faiths and
races.
Newark is a diverse city. FIve colleges, Portugese, Brazillian, and
Hispanics communities are here form all over latin America. The
National Hockey league, the best Jewish deli..Hobbies serves awesome
cornbeef to hungry Devils fans on cold winter nights. A great museum,
minor league basball and five star restaurants.
Yet, and as politically incorrect as this may sound the victims
of most of the crimes are black, killed by other blacks. However, this
is rarely mentioned. The violence tends to be in a certain
neighborhood.The entire city is seen by outsiders as a living hell and
they have never stepped one foot here.
Where is Al Sharpton? Jesse Jackson, and yes the first Black President
Mr. Obama. Why does he not visit these areas and call attention to this
horrible situation. It goes on and on..and yet I have not seen any
civil rights leaders visit Newark, make a march or form a
demonstration.
On August 2nd it will be national night out on Crime. I hope the
problems in the Black community are brought to a forefront, and people
can really confront this issue. The president has been invisible on this.
With unemployment twice the average in black neighborhoods, what is the
future? I have taught so many kids in some of the most toughest
schools. That woman that was killed on Friday was a success story,
yet she lays in a morgue. It is all too senseless. We need to speak
out.
Newark...I am usually greeted with a face of why? Followed by
distorted views about the city, and many negative comments. If you
watch the powerful media, there is no wonder why, a killing gets lots
of press.
The fear factor sets in, and a whole city is labeled one big inner city
violent ghetto. You have to look past the headlines, and see we live
in many different America's. On July 5th I attended the New Jersey
Symphony concert right here in Branch Brook Park, followed by fire
works. All for free in a beautiful park designed by the Olmsteads of Central Park fame..
Later in the week I attended a free concert here in Essex county, the
Great Harlold Melvin and the Blue Notes. The awesome black soul group of the
70's which great hits like "The love I lost.." and the classic " If
you don't know me by now"..The park was filled with Blacks, whites, hispanics all
grooving to the geat tunes..Middle age folks breaking out in dance
steps on a hot summer night under a bright moon.
I have taught school in Newark for ten years as a parallel career to
being an actor. I have taught at Arts High and just about every
elementary school in the Ironbound section of Newark. I know the city, and that is why this latest killing on the news has gotten to me so deeply. On Friday a
young black woman, a graduate of Arts High and now a teacher was
gunned down outside a restaurant. Twenty seven years old, a life
infront of her. A gifted musician as well and a stellar person. Wrong
place, wrong time. A Black cop, off duty gunned down outside a pizza
joint a month ago.. random senseless...I could go on and on..but why
break our hearts. I have a beautiful vegetable garden here in Newark.
Every year awards are given out to residents from all over the city.
Its a great ceremony attended by so many people of different faiths and
races.
Newark is a diverse city. FIve colleges, Portugese, Brazillian, and
Hispanics communities are here form all over latin America. The
National Hockey league, the best Jewish deli..Hobbies serves awesome
cornbeef to hungry Devils fans on cold winter nights. A great museum,
minor league basball and five star restaurants.
Yet, and as politically incorrect as this may sound the victims
of most of the crimes are black, killed by other blacks. However, this
is rarely mentioned. The violence tends to be in a certain
neighborhood.The entire city is seen by outsiders as a living hell and
they have never stepped one foot here.
Where is Al Sharpton? Jesse Jackson, and yes the first Black President
Mr. Obama. Why does he not visit these areas and call attention to this
horrible situation. It goes on and on..and yet I have not seen any
civil rights leaders visit Newark, make a march or form a
demonstration.
On August 2nd it will be national night out on Crime. I hope the
problems in the Black community are brought to a forefront, and people
can really confront this issue. The president has been invisible on this.
With unemployment twice the average in black neighborhoods, what is the
future? I have taught so many kids in some of the most toughest
schools. That woman that was killed on Friday was a success story,
yet she lays in a morgue. It is all too senseless. We need to speak
out.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
What is the Gift of Speech For?
This week we read Behaalotecha, from the Book of Numbers. It means, when you lift up, referring to the lighting of the Menorah. This portion contains the famous passage about Miriam and Aaron, siblings of Moses, who were speaking to each other about Moses’ family matters – speech that amounted to gossip. God reprimands them; and Miriam, who apparently instigated the discussion, was given a skin disease. Aaron begged Moses to pray for her. Moses immediately prayed on her behalf and Miriam was healed. By using her speech to separate, she herself was separated from those she loved; and she had to stay outside the camp for seven days. Earlier in the portion, there are several instances where speech is also used negatively: the Israelites complaining and carrying on about many things, including the food, and a demand by servants of Moses for two prophets to be imprisoned. There are also a few instances in this portion, where speech is used positively: for blessing. Some people who had not been able to celebrate Pesach, because of a burial, approached Moses to ask how and if they could serve God and celebrate Passover. They were allowed to observe it in the following month. A commandment was given to make and use two silver trumpets to ask God to help them when they went to battle, among other occasions. And Aaron’s using speech to ask Moses to pray for Miriam as well as Moses’ prayer itself, were holy uses of speech. Finally, Moses’ asking God for help, was an appropriate use of speech, resulting in the creation of our high court, the Sanhedrin.
So this portion has examples of how to use our speech positively and negatively. The sages have said, “A human being is treated according to how he or she treats others;” and there is a teaching quoted in the Mussar literature, based on a work called Ways of the Righteous, by Orchos Tzaddikim, that tells this story: “A rabbi made a banquet and asked his servants to prepare meat, some of it cooked until soft, while the rest of it was left still tough. The rabbi placed the meat before his students, who selected the tender meat. He said to them: ‘Look what you are doing. Just as you selected the tender and left the hard, so, too, let your tongues be tender to each other.’” The Israelites of the Torah were attempting to create a holy community. In this synagogue, too, we attempt to be there for each other as a spiritual community. What purpose can we serve for each other? Certainly friendship and acceptance. A place to ask questions and sometimes to ask for help. A place to pray for ourselves and others. A place where we are all teaching each other and learning from each other. But not only that. My teacher, Rabbi Gelberman wrote that our speech is an outward expression of an inner feeling. This tells us that intention is vital. We can ask ourselves, what do we mean to accomplish with our speech? Is it drawing people together and not separating them? If our intention is to help, and love, and support each other, then we will accomplish the goal of inspiring each other. We will create a place where we can model holy behavior for each other and learn and grow together. We can be a family in the best sense of the word, where we build each other up and not tear each other down. This is what the great gift of speech is for and what a holy community can be for: to inspire and motivate ourselves and each other so that we can be lifted up, as in the title of this Torah portion, and together kindle our and each other’s great inner light.
So this portion has examples of how to use our speech positively and negatively. The sages have said, “A human being is treated according to how he or she treats others;” and there is a teaching quoted in the Mussar literature, based on a work called Ways of the Righteous, by Orchos Tzaddikim, that tells this story: “A rabbi made a banquet and asked his servants to prepare meat, some of it cooked until soft, while the rest of it was left still tough. The rabbi placed the meat before his students, who selected the tender meat. He said to them: ‘Look what you are doing. Just as you selected the tender and left the hard, so, too, let your tongues be tender to each other.’” The Israelites of the Torah were attempting to create a holy community. In this synagogue, too, we attempt to be there for each other as a spiritual community. What purpose can we serve for each other? Certainly friendship and acceptance. A place to ask questions and sometimes to ask for help. A place to pray for ourselves and others. A place where we are all teaching each other and learning from each other. But not only that. My teacher, Rabbi Gelberman wrote that our speech is an outward expression of an inner feeling. This tells us that intention is vital. We can ask ourselves, what do we mean to accomplish with our speech? Is it drawing people together and not separating them? If our intention is to help, and love, and support each other, then we will accomplish the goal of inspiring each other. We will create a place where we can model holy behavior for each other and learn and grow together. We can be a family in the best sense of the word, where we build each other up and not tear each other down. This is what the great gift of speech is for and what a holy community can be for: to inspire and motivate ourselves and each other so that we can be lifted up, as in the title of this Torah portion, and together kindle our and each other’s great inner light.
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