Jewish Journey
As we entered last Shabbat, our community welcomed three new Jews into our midst. The two adults are people who have been living Jewishly and as part of Jewish community for quite a while, and the distinction between them and those of us who were born Jewish had become as thin as a fingernail. Although people who convert to Judaism participate in much study, the ultimate decision a rabbi must make to affirm their identity as a Jew, is simple – do I believe that they are committed to continued Jewish learning, participation in Jewish community, and doing Jewish in a way that is authentic and meaningful. My answer, each time, is a wholehearted, full-throated, “YES!”
When we make Havdalah (the distinction) between Shabbat and the week to come, during our blessing over the aish (fire) from the braided candle wicks, we lift our hands toward the aish. There are many midrashim (stories) about why we do this. My favorite interpretation of this custom is connected to stories about the first “clothing” that God gave to Adam and Chava (Eve) in Gan Eden ([the] Garden of Eden). Their skin was a “garment of glory,” and like our fingernails, had an added layer of protection from harm. When the first earthlings were banished from Gan Eden, the garment of glory was removed, and all that remains of that supernal gift are our fingernails. Whether we reflect on our fingernails or our skin, what we see is the thinness of the boundary between the interior and the exterior. During our Havdalah ritual, this is a reflection of the thinness of the boundaries between Shabbat and the six days of creation/work, between sacred and ordinary, between us and all others with which we share life.
This is how I hope that we see the distinction between Jews, and people who are living Jewish-adjacent lives as members of our GJC community, and the far larger community of Am (People) Yisrael. There is just the thinnest of layers between us. In fact, our Jewish-adjacent family members and friends are often studying and learning more than we are. They are vibrant parts of our Jewish community and without them, we would have far less light and delight in our homes and at our community gatherings.
And once a person has converted to Judaism, do you know what we call them?
A Jew!
Their Jewish journey is theirs to tell; theirs to reveal. And we can learn a lot from them. I have a colleague who recently said, “I wish all Jews would convert to Judaism.” By this, he meant that he wishes all of us who are Jews by birth, would show the level of interest, curiosity, and dedication to study that those who have chosen Judaism demonstrate in their thirst to become a part of our People.
What would you say if someone asked you to write about your Jewish journey and what speaks to you in framing your life as a Jew? What parts of Judaism do you struggle with and which bring you comfort? How would you describe your theology and what informs it? What Jewish practices and rituals would you like to grow in the coming year?
The upcoming month of Elul is a perfect time to reflect on questions like these. This past Tuesday, was Tisha b’Av (9th of Av) on the Hebrew calendar. That means that 7 weeks from Tuesday is Rosh HaShanah!! It is time to really prepare for that very transformative time of the Jewish year. I hope you will join me in a bit of study as we prepare for the New Year 5785. I look forward to preparing with you and to returning to the Flathead to spend the first three weeks of October with you. Rosh HaShanah, this year, is the latest (on the Gregorian calendar) that it will be in the entire 21st century!
What a joy it was to spend five summer weeks with you in the Flathead Valley! Each time I arrive, I truly feel that I have “come home,” and each time I leave, it is more difficult to say, “l’hitra-ot" (see you later). I am grateful to so many of you who have shared your hearts and minds with me this summer and throughout my first year as your rabbi. I am honored to serve you both while I am in the Flathead and when I am at a distance.
