In our post-October 7th world, we must diversify how the world sees the Jewish People and our homeland, Israel, so that the Jewish experience is not reduced to political headlines and stereotypes.
What a great reminder of the beauty and quirks of Judaism beyond politics and polarity. The first point reminded me of my brief study of the Zohar with the wife of one of its translators (in Melbourne, Australia). Reading a few of the passages in Aramaic it became clear in that moment that these words are tools to invoke forces that took me on an inner journey beyond words. Our teacher looked like she was in bliss as she read out the passages, possessing secret knowledge we were yet to attain. Psychedelic indeed. It took hours to unpack a few sentences and I would leave each session trying to remember what we'd discussed on my drive home. As a family with a heritage of kabbalists and soferim, the Zohar awakened dormant knowledge and affected me like no other text I've ever encountered. I'm hopeful that all the current rhetoric about Jews, Zionism etc will get boring enough that people will be open to learn the more interesting, if not trippy aspects of its mystical roots.
As a geometry, trigonometry, and calculus teacher, I study “different types of angles in their intricate hierarchies.” I never knew this had anything to do with the Jewish faith! No wonder we are overrepresented among excellent mathematicians!
I think you have mistaken Angles for Angels. Never mind. Not the first time! The Romans said on landing in the South East here in the UK that the English (The Angles) looked like Angels. This is where the English (Literally Angel-ish) get their name from.
important point! yup, an' they (the haters) have weaponized this thing against us b/c they don't understand it (nor do I, lol, but I assume it's esoteric not nefarious an' may explain why oldsters in my fam tossed salt over their shoulders...)... I learned zilch about cabbalah in sunday skool--never mentioned---plus, re "Tzvi/Zevi" (which sounds like the start of a Barry Sisters song!) there are those that call joos "satanists" because "mysticism"--oy.
If I say "but we don't even have a satan, no fella in a red suit with the tail & horns" I'm drowned out. An' Madonna did us no favors in promotin' bubblegum cabbalah--she's a trashy "ho" with more skeletons in her own closet than shekels in her coffers (an' that's sayin' sumthin')!
Again, a good PR person is needed to explain to non-joos an' soitenly reform joos who know nothin' from cabbalah--why cabbalah is not as outsiders describe it i.e. "satanic"--as it's hard for many of us ("raisin" my my hand here) to justify the existence of something we don't "git" ourselfs! (I try to defend this thing DAILY but honestly--I know only a smidge 'bout it)
I love the way you described the connection between absurdist humor and tragedy, as that’s my way of dealing with the less pleasant aspects of life. I made lots of dark humor jokes while going through breast cancer the same time my debut book was published. BTW—I’m part of a newly-released anthology called On Being Jewish Now which talks about life as a Jew post October 7th, and all profits go to an organization that educates people on campuses and businesses about the dangers of antisemitism.
good stuff! Ta be honest, number 5 was 'splained ta me from toddlerhood--back in Vilna ve came frum rabbis so the "little pisher" pipin' up--was always part of the judaism I knew! Of COURSE you must qvestion! everyone at the fambly table argued an' this was baked inta the challah that's our faith; the part I liked best!--was, indeed, to qvestion! This feature cannot be underestimated as it forms a mindset of non-followers that has kept us alive for all this time (mostly--too many over-assimilated not raised knowin' squat about judaism I find can blindly follow an' that's not so good). The rest of us were raised ta qvestion an' this was "our skin"-- AND ya rightly 'splain the far more personal relationship joos have with god/G_d--not only do they/we qvestion but they/we argue! plead, nay berate (lol) an' still we are not abandoned. THIS is why I never would wanna be any other faith/religion. I grew up with "have a little tuna fish" on Yom Kippur because "we are flexible people, we question when it makes no sense, an' good jooish doctors WILL work on a Saturday to save a life!" I'd put #5 as #1
Also, now you make sense--I don't git Israeli humor--I mean sort of but it's the Mel Brooks, the Jackie Mason & the Milton Berle & the Joan Rivers (an' so many more) that help me understand my world as a chew. An' not all've it is crude or doity (I'll take a little Belle Barth who wuz a leetle risque...)--that demeans it--it's rich, complex, an' I find it sad that our friends in Israel don't git it or missed out... one of the faults of early Israel was ta ban Yiddish which is like takin' yer riches an' throwin' 'em inta the ocean (better said, actually, in yiddish!)
keep 'em comin'!
ps Dennis Prager (don't hiss at me folks, I like da guy) sez that “Tikkun Olam” is not just to "heal the world" but to "heal it by settin' a good example by honorin' the 10 commandments"--big diff! Since it's been misunderstood there are too many idiots among us tryin' ta save whales--look I like whales too--while marchin' with Norman FINK-elstein. This couldn't be what “Tikkun Olam” meant... Tho I'm sad we could not save the squirrel... Peanut & Fred. I'll "Say their names!" ;-)
The secret power of Jewish ritual that touches on every aspect of daily life is that when people feel they live in a world where nothing matters - to practicing Jews, everything matters! Every act is meaningful. Talk about a purpose driven life!
The fact that we question everything - well that is just our destiny. I have often thought that the reason gentiles convert to Judaism is that they are desperately looking for answers. Then they open up a Gemara - and all they get are questions! But sometimes that is the answer. Keep curiosity alive. And sometimes the answer is teiku - let the question stand. And then you go on to the next discussion. As Rabbi Joseph Soloveichick would tell his rabbinical students, "You don't die from a question."
When G-d gave the Torah to Moses, the Talmud says, he told him, "I have a secret gift for the children of Israel. It is called Shabbat." A secret gift? But it's right there in the Ten Commandments! The secret is that though on the surface it seems restrictive - can't do this, can't do that - once you practice it, it is liberating. (Sure, there are lots of details , but that's not necessarily bad - see above.) Not only a day of physical rest, but a day of physical pleasure and spiritual rejuvenation. Not to mention a day to get away from the weekday tumult (work, shopping, Substack).
Thanks for this article. We need to be reminded that we don't have idolize outside cultures when we have so much of our own heritage to draw from.
What a great reminder of the beauty and quirks of Judaism beyond politics and polarity. The first point reminded me of my brief study of the Zohar with the wife of one of its translators (in Melbourne, Australia). Reading a few of the passages in Aramaic it became clear in that moment that these words are tools to invoke forces that took me on an inner journey beyond words. Our teacher looked like she was in bliss as she read out the passages, possessing secret knowledge we were yet to attain. Psychedelic indeed. It took hours to unpack a few sentences and I would leave each session trying to remember what we'd discussed on my drive home. As a family with a heritage of kabbalists and soferim, the Zohar awakened dormant knowledge and affected me like no other text I've ever encountered. I'm hopeful that all the current rhetoric about Jews, Zionism etc will get boring enough that people will be open to learn the more interesting, if not trippy aspects of its mystical roots.
As a geometry, trigonometry, and calculus teacher, I study “different types of angles in their intricate hierarchies.” I never knew this had anything to do with the Jewish faith! No wonder we are overrepresented among excellent mathematicians!
I think you have mistaken Angles for Angels. Never mind. Not the first time! The Romans said on landing in the South East here in the UK that the English (The Angles) looked like Angels. This is where the English (Literally Angel-ish) get their name from.
No, that was deliberate. I also inherited Jewish wordplay in addition to math acumen.
Bravo Caleb!
Reminder: Isaac, Yitzhak, means will laugh. Laughter is mentioned in Torah at least three times. This was a great post.
The study of kabalah became suspect after the false messiah, Shabtai Tzvi.
important point! yup, an' they (the haters) have weaponized this thing against us b/c they don't understand it (nor do I, lol, but I assume it's esoteric not nefarious an' may explain why oldsters in my fam tossed salt over their shoulders...)... I learned zilch about cabbalah in sunday skool--never mentioned---plus, re "Tzvi/Zevi" (which sounds like the start of a Barry Sisters song!) there are those that call joos "satanists" because "mysticism"--oy.
If I say "but we don't even have a satan, no fella in a red suit with the tail & horns" I'm drowned out. An' Madonna did us no favors in promotin' bubblegum cabbalah--she's a trashy "ho" with more skeletons in her own closet than shekels in her coffers (an' that's sayin' sumthin')!
Again, a good PR person is needed to explain to non-joos an' soitenly reform joos who know nothin' from cabbalah--why cabbalah is not as outsiders describe it i.e. "satanic"--as it's hard for many of us ("raisin" my my hand here) to justify the existence of something we don't "git" ourselfs! (I try to defend this thing DAILY but honestly--I know only a smidge 'bout it)
Josh. This is a beautiful, rabbinical article. Wow. Again, perfect. Again, thank you. Martin
Excellent discussion of various aspects of Judaism. I enjoyed it and learned alot. I will share with my children and their families.
Wonderful post! 🫠&😵💫Thank you.🙂
Somehow this makes me cry.
I love the way you described the connection between absurdist humor and tragedy, as that’s my way of dealing with the less pleasant aspects of life. I made lots of dark humor jokes while going through breast cancer the same time my debut book was published. BTW—I’m part of a newly-released anthology called On Being Jewish Now which talks about life as a Jew post October 7th, and all profits go to an organization that educates people on campuses and businesses about the dangers of antisemitism.
On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates https://a.co/d/2YnMePN
The foundations of Judaism & part of me daily! Barukh Adonay! ✡️💜
good stuff! Ta be honest, number 5 was 'splained ta me from toddlerhood--back in Vilna ve came frum rabbis so the "little pisher" pipin' up--was always part of the judaism I knew! Of COURSE you must qvestion! everyone at the fambly table argued an' this was baked inta the challah that's our faith; the part I liked best!--was, indeed, to qvestion! This feature cannot be underestimated as it forms a mindset of non-followers that has kept us alive for all this time (mostly--too many over-assimilated not raised knowin' squat about judaism I find can blindly follow an' that's not so good). The rest of us were raised ta qvestion an' this was "our skin"-- AND ya rightly 'splain the far more personal relationship joos have with god/G_d--not only do they/we qvestion but they/we argue! plead, nay berate (lol) an' still we are not abandoned. THIS is why I never would wanna be any other faith/religion. I grew up with "have a little tuna fish" on Yom Kippur because "we are flexible people, we question when it makes no sense, an' good jooish doctors WILL work on a Saturday to save a life!" I'd put #5 as #1
Also, now you make sense--I don't git Israeli humor--I mean sort of but it's the Mel Brooks, the Jackie Mason & the Milton Berle & the Joan Rivers (an' so many more) that help me understand my world as a chew. An' not all've it is crude or doity (I'll take a little Belle Barth who wuz a leetle risque...)--that demeans it--it's rich, complex, an' I find it sad that our friends in Israel don't git it or missed out... one of the faults of early Israel was ta ban Yiddish which is like takin' yer riches an' throwin' 'em inta the ocean (better said, actually, in yiddish!)
keep 'em comin'!
ps Dennis Prager (don't hiss at me folks, I like da guy) sez that “Tikkun Olam” is not just to "heal the world" but to "heal it by settin' a good example by honorin' the 10 commandments"--big diff! Since it's been misunderstood there are too many idiots among us tryin' ta save whales--look I like whales too--while marchin' with Norman FINK-elstein. This couldn't be what “Tikkun Olam” meant... Tho I'm sad we could not save the squirrel... Peanut & Fred. I'll "Say their names!" ;-)
Thank you Joshua. No other words from me are necessary - just thank you
The secret power of Jewish ritual that touches on every aspect of daily life is that when people feel they live in a world where nothing matters - to practicing Jews, everything matters! Every act is meaningful. Talk about a purpose driven life!
The fact that we question everything - well that is just our destiny. I have often thought that the reason gentiles convert to Judaism is that they are desperately looking for answers. Then they open up a Gemara - and all they get are questions! But sometimes that is the answer. Keep curiosity alive. And sometimes the answer is teiku - let the question stand. And then you go on to the next discussion. As Rabbi Joseph Soloveichick would tell his rabbinical students, "You don't die from a question."
When G-d gave the Torah to Moses, the Talmud says, he told him, "I have a secret gift for the children of Israel. It is called Shabbat." A secret gift? But it's right there in the Ten Commandments! The secret is that though on the surface it seems restrictive - can't do this, can't do that - once you practice it, it is liberating. (Sure, there are lots of details , but that's not necessarily bad - see above.) Not only a day of physical rest, but a day of physical pleasure and spiritual rejuvenation. Not to mention a day to get away from the weekday tumult (work, shopping, Substack).
Thanks for this article. We need to be reminded that we don't have idolize outside cultures when we have so much of our own heritage to draw from.
If any rabbi is looking for a brilliant and gifted d'var Torah, this is it.
But we are history - every day we reenact historical rituals and every day, by doing so, we build the future Jewish history.