Vayeshev 5773: Tamar and Transformation; Anonymity and Shame

The biblical Tamar is a powerful character in this week’s Torah portion Vayeshev (Bereisheet 37-40).  She is an exemplar of the transformative power of being oneself and of not shaming others.

Tamar is childless and widowed - not once, but twice. Tamar’s dead husbands were the elder sons of Judah.  In order to have a child, Tamar tricks Judah by adopting a disguise, covering her face, and pretending to be an anonymous prostitute.  Not knowing it is Tamar, Judah gets Tamar pregnant. 

Judah is angered when he discovers that Tamar is pregnant, but does not yet know that Tamar was the anonymous woman with whom he slept.  In his mind, Tamar is the widow of his two elder sons, how could she be pregnant!?!   Judah’s anger prompts him to threaten Tamar. 

Tamar unmasks herself so that Judah will know the truth of who she is.  But she takes great care to unmask herself discreetly so as to not humiliate or shame Judah.  In response, Judah drops his threats and admits his error saying, “She is more righteous than I am” (Bereisheet 38:26)  Tamar is celebrated with the birth of twin sons, one of whom is identified in the Hebrew bible as a direct ancestor of King David.

Vayishlach 5773: The Fears of Jacob - Toward Framing a Personal Response to Israel and Gaza (Part 2)

Dear JCHS School Community, Thankfully in the week since we circulated the first packet of resources there is now a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.   But several important issues and feelings remain.   I addressed some of these at the November 26 Hakhel (schoolwide community gathering each Monday).  I want to share those thoughts with you and some additional resources.   It is crucial that we speak with each other honestly and respectfully -- and that we listen to each other openly and compassionately -- if we hope to have vital conversations about Israel.   To help us do that, let me share a reminder about the goals of Israel learning at JCHS, some context from this week's Torah portion, and a glimpse at one public, sharp, and charged debate that has been trending online in recent days.   JCHS Goals for Israel Education As a Jewish educator my starting point is (often) Torah.  But before turning to this week's Torahportion, I want to be explicit about what JCHS wishes for its students in this arena -- that all students develop their own, unique and engaged relationship with Israel.  For some that may manifest itself in aligning with secular Zionists or with religious Zionists, for others it could mean aligning oneself with progressives or with their opponents.  An engaged relationship is the big goal -- but the flavor of that relationship depends on the unique vision of each student.

Vayetzei 5773: Into the Woods - Toward Framing a Personal Response to Israel and Gaza (Part 1)

November 20, 2012

Dear JCHS School Community, At the time of this writing, the conflict in Gaza and Israel continues. I spoke with the students at Hakhel on Monday about the situation and promised to distribute some materials that might inform how each of us comes to a personal response to recent events. Here are some materials that set a context with the weekly Torah, provide some background information, urge you to stand with Israel, give sources for prayers, invite you to give, and provide a range of diverse Jewish perspectives about the situation.   Into the Woods and the Weekly Torah Portion I began my words to the students by celebrating the remarkable student production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, which closed its run in our theater with a sold-out Sunday matinee on November 18. Into the Woods embodies many enduring themes including our human need to be bound to others by stories and narratives and the power of community to transform our lives.  As Ms. Russell wrote in her Director's Notes for the show community is bound together through moral responsibility for each other and the support we give "each other in times of darkness and light."

Toledot 5773: A Friend is Someone Who Likes You

Friendship is so hard to define.  When I was a little boy and had a fight with the next door neighbor – Joey Skemp – my mother gave me the book “A Friend is Someone Who Likes You.”  Do you know the tiny book?

My favorite passages include:

• A friend is someone who likes you

• Sometimes you don't know who are your friends. Sometimes they are there all the time, but you walk right past them and don't notice that they like you in a special way.

• Some people have lots and lots of friends . . . and some people have quite a few friends

• And when you think you don't have any friends. Then you must stop hurrying and rushing so fast . . . and move very slowly, and look around carefully, to see someone who smiles at you in a special way

• But everyone . . . Everyone in the whole world has at least one friend.  Where did you find yours?

Friendship and brotherhood are at the heart of this week’s Torah portion.

The two are dealt with in Toledot because Judaism understands that there is not such a clear line between someone who is a true friend and someone who is family, and that the divine image in all of us precludes friends or family from being discarded when they no longer serve a specific purpose.

Vayeira 5773: Visions and Reality - The Power of Ten

For more than 50 years the Giants winning the World Series was merely a vision – and now twice in the last three years – that vision has become a reality.  

This week’s parshah, Vayeira, is about visions and reality. It begins with a vision appearing to Abraham and Sarah – the vision of having a child although they are very very old.  And it ends with a vision of Yitzhak rescued by a ram in the thicket.  And in between there is lots of real life drama – conflict between wife and husband, between half-brothers, conflict between parent and child, even between God and Avraham.

I want to focus for a moment on the conflict between God and Avraham found in the Torah narrative about Avraham debating with God about the destruction of S’dom and Amorah (Sodom and Gemorrah). 

Avraham both humbles himself – comparing himself to dust and ashes – and stands tall when he confronts God over the plan to destroy S’dom and Amorah because it is so full of evil. The way that Avraham states his case is familiar: "Shouldn’t the judge of justice do justice!?!" (Bereisheet 18:25.)

Avraham continues, "What if there are 50 righteous people there, will you still destroy?  No.  What if 45 righteous are found there?  No.  What if 40?  What if 30? What if 20?  What if 10? 

In this way, Avraham distinguishes himself from Noach. You might recall that Noach is also told about the destruction of the world on account of evil.  But Noach is silent; he does not argue with God.  (Beresheit 6:9–7:5).

Nitzavim 5772: Standing with Purpose and a Posture of Happiness and Joy

This week’s parshah is named Nitzavim. It literally means "you (pl) are standing" but not any kind of standing – for that the Torah would likely have used a different verb.  Rather nitzavim means to stand upright, with a purpose, with an attitude – an attitude of preparation, or readiness to receive what is coming.

The Torah portion also describes just how inclusive the Jewish community is meant to be.  All those who are present receiving Moshe’s instructions are identified – from the leaders and tribal chiefs and elders, to the youngest person in the camp!  From the children and those who are now part of the community even though they were not born into it - the Torah even includes those who have not yet been born.  Rich and poor; old and young -- getting up to meet the challenge.  From those who enforced the laws to even the humble wood-choppers and water-carriers.  In other words, those who are considered among the poorest in the community are included.  

It is a broad net that is cast!  A net that is as diverse at is inclusive. And one other vital message – about all the lessons that Moshe is teaching from Torah – we are taught that whether we embrace this community and its norms and how we embrace this community and its norms is left for us to choose.  God is setting before us every day the choice of life and good.  (Devarim 30:15.)