Literally meaning, "When God created." Today is Shabbat Beiresheet, the Shabbat where we start reading the Torah again from Genesis on. It's a time of new beginnings: the (Jewish) holiday season is over, so-called normal life is starting, the seasons are changing. Lots of stuff going on.
A few things I've learned:
1) We need more left-handed Jews. At one point during service someone lifts the Torah scroll above their head so everyone can see what was just read. This is fine when we're in Leviticus, when each half of the scroll is about equal weight. Or even Deuteronomy, when the bulk of the weight is on the right hand. But today? It was killer. Thank goodness our hagbah, lifter, was strong!
2) With every new Torah cycle comes a new Torah study group. There were more than 40 people there this morning, when I was expecting 15-20!
3) Communication is everything. If I'm interested in something when I teach, whether it be a theological frame, a historical worldview of Torah, or a particular discussion point, it becomes successful. The reverse is also true; if I teach what I think people want, but necessarily what I care about, it doesn't die necessarily, but it isn't nearly as interesting.
4) This congregation so fits me. Last night during Tot Shabbat my eldest and the senior rabbi's eldest were both running around behind us on the bima, and no one batted an eye.
5) And on a more personal note... I have to let go of guilt of not being a good enough mom. Jonathan's the stay-at-home parent. I work crazy hours. It's one thing to know that, another thing to feel badly that I still can't do it all. And yet another thing to let go of wanting control over how Jonathan parents, when he's the one doing it and not me.
(And for those who are curious, I do tend to post a lot on Shabbat. I don't work on Shabbat, so don't use my laptop to pay bills, or write a lesson plan, or anything I consider not relaxation. But I've been journaling and scrapbooking since I was young, and it's always been relaxing. Hence my online time on this blog on a day when most rabbis get off the computer!)
Terrific informative post! It's so important to me to keep in touch by reading and rereading your blog that I am greatly relieved to know that you are managing to carve a space out of your busy life to continue posting. The details you include are not only juicy, but impart the tempo and taste of your family's interactions, as well as your professional involvement. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI may not know you very well but you always seemed like a super mom/super hero/super Rabbi. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Savta.
ReplyDeleteAnd Amanda - *great big hugs*!