Simchat Torah

It's almost here - Simchat Torah!

What is this?  It is a Jewish Holiday that comes after Rosh HaShanah(New Years), Yom Kippur (day of -at-one-ment) and then the festival of Sukkot ("booths").

When?  Officially, it is the second day after the week long celebration of Sukkot. The day after Sukkot is called Shemini Atzeret, which was a time to calm down after a month of holi-days. Simchat Torah is really the second day of Sheminit Atzeret, but in the 10th century the Rabbis connected it with the turning over of the Torah Scroll to Genesis.

So practically, after a week of going to friends houses to eat in their Sukkah (single form for the little hut built), and praying at synagogue, there is a big final celebration.  This year it falls on Thursday, September 30 (eve of) through Friday, October 1(until sundown).   Except, as a Reform congregation, Temple Israel is holding the event Wednesday night, which is officially a different celebration day.

You dance and make music on this holiday.  For a cute video for the holiday, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXFxQTW--r4.

Why?   For long and official history on this, see Arthur Waskow's Seasons of our Joy. Historically, for Sukkot, their would be a big "water drawing" ceremony at the Temple is Jerusalem. There would be juggling, music, dancing, blazing torches, and  general merry-making.  Some older studies point out that this was a carry-over from "pagan" Harvest practices, especially since there is some indication that at one point women were also dancing at the event (see Raphael Patai, The Hebrew Goddess The Hebrew Goddess 3rd Enlarged Edition) The fertility symbols of the season do abound, such as pouring water (so the rains come), shaking palm branches (sprinkling seeds), and mixed company celebrations (a "big deal" then).

So, why do we still have a big celebration?

Officially, a synagouge has read through the entire Torah Scroll, and it is time to flip it back over.  It wasn't true in Temple times,  where there was a 3-year cycle of reading. But, times changed. Waskow says that the festival "acts out the public proclamation...that from seeming death come profound new energy for birth" (p. 77).  It's very tied to the agricultural cycle.

This is sometimes done by rolling it out completely, with those attending holding it up. Ahead of time, and sometimes after, there is parading around of the Torah scolls and other scrolls.  Making seven circles or HaKafot, you walk, skip, run, jump up and down to music as the scrolls are marched around the congregation.  Simchat= Joy, so you are celebrating the Torah, which is called the tree of life.  

Why music and dance?  They elevate one's spirit, and involve your whole self. Judaism has always seen them as important, and the Bible refers frequently to use of music and dance in the Psalms. Perspiration is inspiration!

Judaism has been around a long time, thanks to the Torah. The 10 commandments have set a standard of ethics for the world. The story of Freedom found in the Passover story has inspired many. Even the not-so-great stories of Torah remind of what not to do. A 3000+ year old teaching is very much worth celebrating. 


For more specifics on Simchat Torah, see jewishfaq.org and search for the holiday.


Next Post:  Holidays and Relationships - reviewing the Jewish holidays' ideas for real life, and anticipating the upcoming National and Christian holiday seasons.

Religion and Your Life

  In a previous post, I mentioned a book about lived religions.  The author presents a scholarly, embodied few of how people live out their values, often in surprising ways.
 
  Rather than look at religion as a church, synagogue, temple, masjid (mosque) based thing, she examines how people create rituals and practices in their own lives for healing and coping with the world. So, she looks at women in organized religions, but who participating in healing circles and spiritual growth activities not connected to church or synagogue.

  Meanwhile, I'm also reading in the news about religion. There was the mosque controversy, then the Glen Beck gathering, a local Muslim 1-800 number to provide basic information, Thomas Green's article on common myths about mosques in America, Jewish High Holy days articles, and several listings for local Interfaith gatherings.  Now the Pope is visiting England, and there are a slew of stories on that. There is so much on religion in the news that I couldn't list them all.

  I don't think people put together individual practices with the news about Muslims, or Jews, or Church controversies.  People seem to want simple answers about religion and life - what Jews do, or what Christians believe.  Of course, there is no one answer because people live out their values in unique ways, depending on their traditions, relationships, and culture.  For instance, Jews fast and pray on Yom Kipput, the day of at-one-ment (Atonement).  But ...

• for some Jews, this is a solemn but happy day of community,  and for others it is a day of mournful introspection. 
• Some Jews gather and meditate together at a home
• others sing folk songs at a synagoge
• others attend formal services at a big public building. 
• Some fast without food or water, some sip on juice or honey and water, and some simply can't fast because of health conditions.
• Some Jews do yoga - really.
• Some Jews don't do anything.

  So, this leads me to ask you readers the following questions:

1. What are some individual religious practices you have for yourself, or you participate in? I mean anything that aids your spiritually - how you pray, or if Tae Kwan Doh does it for you, or you are in a healing circle.  Do you do eastern meditation, though you are Catholic, or read scripture outside your own tradition? 


2.  Do the news reports on religion really match up with your own life?  Is there too much of a blanket statement on religions made by the press?  For instance, I found people much more informed, reflective, and supportive of the proposed Mosque in New York than the reports considered. Many included prayers for peaceful settlement in their community or private practice.

  We as individuals will inevitably have our own variations on religious practice, but it is ultimately to strengthen our relationships with our communities. Otherwise, it isn't religion - a living out of our values, not a bolstring of our egos.

 I look forward to receiving your responses in the comments section of the blog.

 
 

Other Events

  Life is about relationship. That is basically my theme for this blog. I'm encouraging healthy multicultural community relationships with my listing of events. It is mainly for my students, but I think it is very fulfilling for everyone seek out opportunities for attending your neighbors festivities - when invited of course, or to an open event.
  Sometimes they happen when you least expect it though. I was awed by the unlisted Native American presentation at the State Fair. I heard drumming, then looked to find out where it was coming from. I found a Native American man was drumming, and some girls were dancing - the shawl dance, and another footwork dance. Some young boys did a grass dance, with swooping arms and bodies. Then, the man taught the crowd a song.  There was so much going on in just the few minutes I was there.

  That's all it can take - just a few minutes to pay attention, and see something wonderful where you don't expect it. It does help to know what may happen though, so a few more listings from the St. Cloud State Multicultural Service calendar: 

All Events are held in Atwood Ballroom unless otherwise noted

September 11 Saudi night
September 14  4pm  Welcome Back and Eid Celebration (Theater Lounge, Atwood Center)
September 18 ChineseMoonlight festival

October 9  Sri Lankan Kitchen
October 30  Dashin Tihar festival (Nepalese Student Association)

November 6  Malaysian Night
November 13  Indian Night
November 14 Passport to the World
November 20  African Night

December 4 Tibet Night

Jewish High Holidays - Open Doors

 The following is for my students, or anyone else interested. I recommend the Creative Services at Temple Israel, or the Uptown Havurah. 

The renewal folks (that includes me) have second day service on Friday, September 10. Contact me at cialuna@earthlink.net for more information.

I will have more posts on other events of interested, including a lecture by the grandson of Gandhi at Hamline University, and Spiritual Cinema events at a St. Paul Yoga studio. (St. Cloud students, I'll have some posts just for you too.).

 From TCJewfolk.com


Home for the Holy Days: Area Synagogues Open Up Doors
Emily Cornell | Sep 01, 2010 | 8 comments

3928836853 d3815a1ea5 150x150 Home for the Holy Days: Area Synagogues Open Up Doors

Just about this time last year, a freshly-launched TC Jewfolk posted a story about local synagogues that were offering free or reduced tickets to students and young professionals. It seems we were ahead of the curve. A recent article from The Forward notes that some synagogues across the country are beginning to make services free on the high holidays, as a means to draw in new members and in some cases, as a reflection of the tightening economy. And while there may be other reasons that you choose not to observe and celebrate the high holy days in a synagogue, fear that you can’t afford to “pay to pray” shouldn’t be one of them.

Below is a list of local synagogues and independent minyans that invite you to join them for the holidays – regardless of how low the balance in your savings account may be.

And, don’t worry if a shul you were interested in checking out doesn’t appear below. Some weren’t able to get back to us by the time we ‘went to press’ but we’ve never heard of a community that would turn somebody away for financial reasons. You can always check out our list of Twin Cities Synagogues if you don’t see the one you were searching for and contact the office to inquire on your own. (Work for/with a synagogue that didn’t make the list and want to extend an invite? Let readers know in the comments below!)


Reform

* Bet Shalom Congregation in Minnetonka. Please contact Andrea Blumberg and she can help welcome you for services and programs. We hope to hear from you! andrea.blumberg@betshalom.org or 952-426-6644. High Holy Day tickets are $150 and complimentary for college students.

* Shir Tikvah Congregation in Minneapolis. Free admission; no tickets necessary. Services will be ASL interpreted. Services held at the First Universalist Church, 3400 Dupont Avenue South. High Holy Days schedule. Call 612-822-1440 to receive a packet of information. Shir Tikvah is a progressive reform congregation who would like to welcome you to our High Holy Day services.

* Temple Israel in Minneapolis welcomes all who want to celebrate and observe the High Holy Days with us. Free admission, but admission card required. Contact Michael Satterberg at (612) 374-0324 or msatterberg@templeisrael.com for an admission card. Temple Israel is an urban congregation, dedicated to serving a diverse community.

Conservative

* Adath Jeshurun in Minnetonka. Tickets are $25 for college students, free for those under the age of 30 who are living in their parents’ home. Otherwise $250 or what you can afford. High Holiday Schedule. You are always welcome at Adath. We are a progressive, egalitarian and sacred community dedicated to Torah (Jewish learning and tradition), Avodah (prayer and spirituality) and Gemilut Hasadmim (acts of loving kindness).
* Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park offers free memberships to those under 24 (or 30 if a student). You are invited to join us for High Holy Days services (schedule) at no charge (donations appreciated but not required, no one will be turned away for financial reasons). Please contact Linda Goldberg at Beth El and she can help welcome you for services, programs, or even a holiday meal! We hope to hear from you! lgoldberg@bethelsynagogue.org 952-920-3512. Beth El is a warm, welcoming, and caring community where Judaism is relevant and meaningful.
* Beth Jacob Congregation in Mendota Heights welcomes all to daven with us on Yamim Noraim. We do not require tickets. If you have any questions regarding Yamim Noraim, please contact: Eric Pasternack, (651) 994-9793, outpetrol@aol.com.
* Temple of Aaron in St. Paul offers free high holidays tickets to those under 30. Arrangements can be made for those over 30 if finances are a concern. Contact Executive Director Ken Agranoff at (651) 698-8874 x106 to reserve your tickets. We believe that a synagogue is a place where all Jews should feel welcome. “You are always welcome at the Temple of Aaron.

Orthodox/Traditonal[ Well they call it that, but it really isn't]

* AISH Minnesota in St. Louis Park offers free services (donations are welcome). Traditional prayers and tunes, mixed with meaningful discussion and thoughtful dialogue. Most readings in English – no Hebrew required! Children’s programming for kids 2-6 and 6+; lunches and break fast are $25/family or $10/individual (Pre-register for kids’ programs and meals)
* Merkos Chabad Lubavitch House in West St. Paul. All are welcome, call 651-698-0556 for more information.
* Minneapolis Chabad Lubavitch in Minnetonka. All are welcome at Chabad of Minneapolis’ services. Join us for traditional services blended with contemporary messages in a warm and welcoming environment with user-friendly prayer books. Services are free, no membership or affiliation necessary, advance RSVP requested.

Other/Independent

* Uptown Havurah Join us for Rosh HaShanah dinner, on the second night, Thursday, September 9th, at Laura’s house in Uptown. Email Raysh.Weiss@gmail.com for more information. The Uptown Havurah is a welcoming, participatory, social and spiritual community guided by Jewish traditions and values.
* Or Emet (Humanistic) Services held at Sabes JCC in St. Louis Park. Child care will be provided. No tickets are required. Everyone is welcome. For more information call Sara Langer at 612- 377-6203