Author Archives: Rabbi Thiede

Dear all,

At 8:40 Mountain Time, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi took his last breaths.

Reb Zalman, often described as the founder of Jewish Renewal, whose friends included Ram Das, the Dalai Lama, and countless other religious leaders.  He combined, in his practice and teaching, a deep ecumenism.

Reb Zalman opened Judaism up to a generation of disaffected Jews; his work led to the creation of ALEPH: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal.  The ALEPH seminary has ordained over 80 religious leaders.

I first met Reb Zalman in 2005 at an ALEPH Kallah.  I teach his work.  I hope to pass on his most gorgeous teachings.  For me, these include his injunction to his student to make our texts speak, to tap into the deep storytelling and wisdom of Chassidic traditions, to help transmit what it is to be Jewish with feeling.

For those who knew him, this is an inestimable loss.

Zichrono l’vracha, may his memory be for a blessing.

With sadness,

Rabbi Barbara

Tonight, many Jews begin counting the Omer, the 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot.  Once upon a time, the counting had everything to do with harvesting.  Counting the Omer has come to be a spiritual practice, one that helps us be mindful not only of the transitions of spring to summer, of slavery and bondage in Egypt to revelation at Sinai, but from personal spaces of constriction to places of renewal and peace.

Nowadays, you can find sites that will send you reminders, reflections  and meditations of all kinds for each day (some are listed below).

But here’s a thought:  Remember how we began the year?  With an exploration of the sevens of vows, of abundance, of commitments.  Counting the Omer asks us to count seven times seven…!

Consider taking time each night – alone or with company – and count what you can count on.  A smile from a spouse or family member each day?  The knowledge that you yourself hold something or someone precious?  Maybe you can name a blessing you have received (or one you have given) that day.

Consider counting your seven times seven this year

If you want to learn about counting the Omer, check these handy sites out:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Passover/In_the_Community/The_Omer/Meaning.shtml

http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayb.htm

There are plenty of sties that will gladly send you email reminders.  One such site can be found here:

http://www.meaningfullife.com/torah/holidays/8b/Your_Guide_to_Personal_Freedom_-_Week_1.php

Feel free to explore on the Internet for others!

The most important part of Passover is something you can do alone or together as a family.  It will not require physical work but spiritual work.  Just take some time to think through some of the implications of the story we tell on Passover.

For example: Consider the four promises of redemption we associate with the four cups of wine at our seder:

1. I will bring you out; you shall escape the suffering of narrow places.
2. I will save you from enslavement.
3. I will deliver you.
4. I will take you to me; you will be mine.

Then, consider yourself as the agent:

1. What does it mean to suffer the narrow spaces?  When do we feel constricted?  Is the narrow space within us? When are we sensitive and aware of others’ suffering?  What do we need to be made aware?
2. Are their limits to saving another?  Are we aware of our own dependencies? If so, why?
3. What is “deliverance”?   What kind of deliverance could each of us offer?
4. Can we really take the Other to be ours, or ourselves?

Some food for thought for Passover. Chag sameach!

If you are coming to our Purim Party tomorrow, please remember to bring some canned goods we can donate to the hungry; this has been an Or Olam tradition for many years.  And just as a reminder, here are the four mitzvot of Purim!

• Megillah Reading – Book of Esther – Traditionally he Megillah is read twice on Purim, once at night and once during the day.
• Matanot La’evyonim – Gifts to the Poor – Giving to the poor is a mitzvahd at any time, of course. However, the mitzvah to do so on Purim is in addition to the general mitzvah of tzedakah (charity).
• Mishloach Manot/Shalach Manos – Sending Edible Gifts – (No, Hanukkah isn’t the traditional gift-giving season; Purim is! Send or deliver at least one Mishloach Manot gift containing at least two different types of ready-to-eat food items.
• Mishteh – Feast – Eat!  The bare minimum requires that washing (netillat yadayim), eating some bread and reciting the Birkat Hamazon , the Grace after Meals.

May happiness and joy increase!!