Tetzaveh - Home is where the light is.....
February 23/24. 2018
This week's Torah portion begins with the olive oil and the lighting of the menorah daily. For centuries, women have been and were responsible for carrying on the legacy of the "Temple" in a minimal manner, but THEY are the ones that brought this, Shabbat to their family's homes!
In a time where men only were praying in Temples, and Aaron, as well as his sons, were 'ordained', women were secondary in thought in this manner. Men followed men and 'the word'. A most definite seperation of men, women, and "The Hierarchy". Almost cult-like in regards to the separation, and even the Rabbi's back then dressed differently than the population of the community! This was and still is true in some religions, followings, beliefs. You can most definitely find Rabbis today wearing jeans and a polo with a pair of nikes, or if it's me, a pair of Reeboks.
Even in some communities today, this is (somewhat) present;, but now with progressive growth,openness, proactive change & behaviors, we are seeing, experiencing the beautiful emergence, as well as the disappearance of THE separation!
The more modern trends of Tallit, Kippahs, objects for Shabbat, Passover plates, etc. ,can be contributed to women. True egalitarianism has or is developing not just in Judaism, but in our surrounding communities. Our 'religious' communities recapitulate society !
Some communities have shifted from the Temple model, to the home, such as Chavurah (small groups) of like minded friends, or in the park and within our natural settings!
The lighting of the Shabbat candles, and the Shabbat meal are subtle reminders of yesteryear and of our beautiful traditions. It's indeed our moms, wifes or (not AND) girlfriends, sisters,bubbes, aunts, daughters that have fought for and brought this into the forefront, and invited "The Temple" into our Homes!
Shabbat Shalom!
February 23/24. 2018
This week's Torah portion begins with the olive oil and the lighting of the menorah daily. For centuries, women have been and were responsible for carrying on the legacy of the "Temple" in a minimal manner, but THEY are the ones that brought this, Shabbat to their family's homes!
In a time where men only were praying in Temples, and Aaron, as well as his sons, were 'ordained', women were secondary in thought in this manner. Men followed men and 'the word'. A most definite seperation of men, women, and "The Hierarchy". Almost cult-like in regards to the separation, and even the Rabbi's back then dressed differently than the population of the community! This was and still is true in some religions, followings, beliefs. You can most definitely find Rabbis today wearing jeans and a polo with a pair of nikes, or if it's me, a pair of Reeboks.
Even in some communities today, this is (somewhat) present;, but now with progressive growth,openness, proactive change & behaviors, we are seeing, experiencing the beautiful emergence, as well as the disappearance of THE separation!
The more modern trends of Tallit, Kippahs, objects for Shabbat, Passover plates, etc. ,can be contributed to women. True egalitarianism has or is developing not just in Judaism, but in our surrounding communities. Our 'religious' communities recapitulate society !
Some communities have shifted from the Temple model, to the home, such as Chavurah (small groups) of like minded friends, or in the park and within our natural settings!
The lighting of the Shabbat candles, and the Shabbat meal are subtle reminders of yesteryear and of our beautiful traditions. It's indeed our moms, wifes or (not AND) girlfriends, sisters,bubbes, aunts, daughters that have fought for and brought this into the forefront, and invited "The Temple" into our Homes!
Shabbat Shalom!
Interesting thoughts....thank you for sharing.
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