National Day of Unplugging

Shalom!

Join me in a National Day of Unplugging, brought to you by Sabbath Manifesto. This is a noble, important effort at encouraging us to unplug from technology, and turn, instead, back to our families, friends, and selves. It starts tonight at sundown, and ends tomorrow night at sundown.

There are TEN PRINCIPLES to follow:

1. Avoid Technology
2. Connect with Loved Ones
3. Nurture Your Health
4. Get Outside
5. Avoid Commerce
6. Light Candles
7. Drink Wine
8. Eat Bread
9. Find Silence
10. Give Back

Won't you join me?

Shabbat Shalom!!

Shining the Mirror on Ourselves

An excerpt from my sermon last Friday night:

It may surprise you to learn that mirrors, and objects used for reflecting, have been such an enduring part of the human experience. In this week's Torah portion, a combined parasha entitled Vayakhel-Pekudei, Moses and the Israelites are completing the building of the Tabernacle as their continue their desert wanderings. Throughout the process, Moses has requested that the men and women bring items from their households to contribute to the building. They've brought linens, threads of various colors, gold, silver and copper, and even animal skins. In Exodus chapter 38, verse 8, when a holy wash basin is being described, the text tells us, "Moses made the laver of copper and its stand of copper, from the mirrors of the women who performed tasks at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting." These mirrors, made of copper, must have been highly valued in the Biblical world. The comment about their inclusion, seemingly minor, inspired Rashi, one of our greatest commentators, to share a fascinating midrash about women and their role in the evolving Israelite community.

Rashi brings the explanation that when the women first brought the copper mirrors as a contribution, Moses was reluctant to accept them. The reason is because, in Moses' view, they incited vanity and superficiality. God, however, told Moses to accept those mirrors and that they were indeed very special - in the following way. Those very same mirrors had been instrumental in the creation of the Israelite nation. How? You are going to love this. God told Moses that, in Egypt, the men had come home exhausted from their back-breaking work, and the women used mirrors to help them to present themselves to their husbands in an enticing manner, leading to increased procreation... Thus the Israelites continued to increase in number under the slavery in Egypt.

Because of mirrors, the people of Israel survived their enslavement!

But what about Moses' original concern – that mirrors inspire vanity and superficiality, like the story of Narcissus. Mirrors are able to disclose a kind of truth about the one who gazes into it. There are even superstitions that focus on the mirror seemingly absorbing a piece of your soul when you gaze into the glass. But, perhaps the truth telling can help us become better people.

An old Jewish legend tells of a rabbi who traveled to a village where only a single, poor Jew lived. Although destitute, the Jew opened his house to him, shared his meager meal, and apologized that he couldn't show more honor to his guest. Upon leaving, the rabbi blessed his host and wished him well. Thereafter, the poor man's lot improved so much that he soon became the wealthiest man in the village. He even hired a guard to keep away the beggars from clamoring for tzedakah (charity).

When the rabbi returned a year later, he had to plead with the guard to let him see his master,and then he was rudely ushered into the house and made to wait. When at last the man appeared, the rabbi asked him: "Look through the window. What do you see?"

"People going about their affairs," answered the man.

"Now look in your mirror. What do you see?"

"Only myself."

"The window and the mirror are both made of glass," observed the rabbi.

"The only difference between them is a silver coating. It's time to remove it."

Shocked and sobered by the rabbi's words, the man promised to change his miserly ways from that day forth.

The Israelite women teach us a very important lesson when they bring forth mirrors as their contribution to the tabernacle.

- Each of us has something to contribute to our community, and it is not up to us to judge the relative merits of the contribution.

- Mirrors, when used for selfish vanity, can keep us from seeing the world around us, but when they are used to help us create something sacred and open, they can help us make the world a better place.

In this current economic climate, these two lessons ring even more true. Each one of us has something to contribute, and it might not always be the most obvious offering. Your time, wisdom, enthusiasm, support, and love can be as valuable, and usually even more valuable, to your friends, family, and community, than your checkbook. Just because you can't give money doesn't mean that your contribution isn't important to those around you.

Also, for those among us who may not be hit as hard by the crisis, please do not let that layer of silver keep you from seeing those outside who may need your help. Open the window and share some of your silver with those who are without.

in⋅e⋅rad⋅i⋅ca⋅ble - adjective

Oy. Big embarrassing moment last night.

I was leading Shabbat services with the other clergy members, and I was doing a reading before the Mourner's Kaddish (a prayer that we say when we are mourning the loss of a loved one). I didn't pick this particular reading; rather, I was reading it at the suggestion of the senior rabbi. I skimmed it in advance, felt it looked good, and put it on the lectern.

Little did I know, I was stepping into the pits of embarrassment.

I get up there to read it, at this very serious moment in the service, and in the middle of the paragraph is a word I have NEVER seen before:

ineradicable.

It swam in front of my eyes. It seemed to be WAY too many syllables. I didn't know what to do.

Mind you, I am a relatively smart gal, I am well read, and I have NEVER had to read this word aloud. I took it one syllable at a time, like a second-grader fumbling her way through a tough vocabulary word.

Ugh. I am never going to get this one wrong again. I now know that it is an adjective, meaning "not eradicable; not capable of being eradicated, rooted out, or completely removed." This makes sense to me. I get it. But I am going to feel embarrassed for quite some time.....

NYC Marathon Craziness....

I don't know why I am still surprised by it, but it is always IMPOSSIBLE to get around Manhattan on the day of the NYC Marathon. I wish I could just stay at home in Queens and relax for the day, but I had to come in to the synagogue to teach our Confirmation Class (10th graders). I don't know how many will fight their way through the crowd in order to come to class, so we shall see how many will show up.

My curriculum in the Confirmation Class is to teach modern applications of the Ten Commandments. Today, we are up to the 4th Commandment, which tells us to keep and remember the Sabbath. We are going to study the two versions of the Ten Commandments which appear in the Torah (the two iterations, one in Exodus and one in Deuteronomy, are not identical and have some important differences), and discuss Shabbat in our lives.

With these NYC kids, especially, I really find it important to teach them that it is okay to take breaks. They are SO OVERWORKED, and so stressed out, and they aren't often given permission to take a deep breath and rest. If I get nothing else across to them this year, I want them to understand how integral self-care is to a meaningful and successful life.

Next week, we will continue a focus on Shabbat, and I will lead a guided Jewish meditation for them. Yay!

Shabbat Shalom....I'm Gonna Need It!

Hello to you! I have a few fun things to update you on:

1) I am well into my second full week on Jenny Craig. Today is the....11th Day! I've gotta tell you, other than the cost (it IS pretty expensive), this plan couldn't be easier. I feel so good, so energized, and really positive about making this choice. It definitely feels great to be taking care of myself. You guys have witnessed so many changes in me over the past year or so. Thanks for coming along for the ride thus far!

2) I've got a BUSY weekend coming up, and I am totally excited about it. The New York region of the Union for Reform Judaism (the big umbrella organization that brings all Reform Jews and congregations together) is holding its Regional Biennial Convention tomorrow. The event will provide Jewish professionals and layleaders a chance to come together to learn, pray, eat (of course!), and network. I am SO HONORED because I was asked to lead the big Shabbat Worshp Service tomorrow morning. A cantor and I will lead the service, and help everyone get centered and involved in the rest of the day. What a great privilege!

3) The NYC Marathon is coming up on Sunday. A few clasmates of mine started a group called the Running Rabbis a few years ago. They run the marathon for a good cause each year, and they ROCK! Check them out - they're awesome :)

4) I am going to do my best to be a part of NaBloPoMo, a site that encourages bloggers to post every single day for a month. Think I can do it? Check me out to see if I keep up with it!

Shabbat Shalom!

Bereshit - Back to the Beginning

Happy Friday, my friends! I hope that you had a good week, and that you are nearing the end of the work-week. Doesn't Shabbat, the day of rest, the weekend, always come at just the right time?

Tonight, we Jews have returned back to the beginning of the entire Torah. We finished reading the whole Five Books of Moses, the very end of Deuteronomy, last week during the holiday of Simchat Torah, and now we find ourselves ALL THE WAY back at the beginning, Genesis, Chapter One, Verse One.

My dear friend, Andi, has posted a beautiful post about reading the beginning of Genesis. I hope you will stop by and give it a read.

I will be leading services tonight (as I often do), and I am going to be speaking about one of my favorite characters, Lilith. Who is Lilith? She is the answer to the fact that there are TWO creation stories in the Torah.

There's this one: (Genesis 1:27): And God created man in God’s own image, in the image of God created him; male and female God created them.

Then there's this one: (Genesis 2:21-25): And the ETERNAL God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the place with flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the ETERNAL God had taken from the man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And the man said: 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

How do we reconcile these very different accounts of how humans were created (at least, as far as the story goes....don't get me started on creationism......)? Biblical Scholars just recognize that there are two texts, reflecting two different traditions, and they were edited together.

The rabbis of long ago, though, tried to make it one narrative - they brought in the character of Lilith: Adam's First Wife.

However, since she was created at the same time as Adam (in Genesis 1), she DARED (how could she?? Oy....) to think that she was equal to Adam. She was therefore banished from the Garden of Eden, and relegated to demon status from then on. The rabbis then state that Eve was the better choice of wife for Adam, because she knew that Adam was her master. Can you believe this?

So, gals, let's all live as proud descendants of Lilith - we can be equal, too!! Just as the creators of Lilith Magazine and Lilith Fair did, we can reclaim her as a proud feminine role model.

Shabbat shalom!

A week in the life of a rabbi....

Wow - this has been a crazy, busy week for me. I have barely had a chance to slow down, and I am really looking forward to some free time this weekend.

Since last weekend, I have officiated at just about every Jewish lifecycle event possible. What did I do?

Last Saturday - I officiated at a baby naming ceremony. We held this ritual during our usual Shabbat morning service. I invited the parents up for an aliyah, the honor of blessing the reading of the Torah portion. They recited the blessings before and after my short reading from the week's Torah portion, and then we transitioned into the baby naming ritual. I began with a short introductory reading, then the parents read a list of attributes that they wish for their one year old daughter. I then announced her new Hebrew name in front of the congregation. Everyone wished the family a BIG mazel tov!!

Sunday - I officiated at an unveiling ceremony. This ritual usually takes place about a year after the death of a loved one. Judaism identifies a few stages to our mourning: Shiva, the first seven days following burial; shloshim, the first thirty days following burial; and then the unveiling. The unveiling involves literally uncovering the permanent headstone that will mark the grave. Seeing this tangible proof of a loved one's death is often difficult, but can also provide a sense of closure following the first year of mourning.

Monday - I officiated at a conversion ceremony. I had worked with this gentleman for the last year; I was his guide in his journey towards Judaism. He reached a point of feeling Jewish, inside and out, and was ready to make it official. I convened a Beit Din - a "house of justice" - which was two other Jewish clergy and me. The three of us asked him questions about his journey, encouraging him to reflect on different points of the process. Then we witnessed his immersion in the mikveh, the ritual bath that provides the purification and rebirth into a Jewish life. It was a beautiful morning - inspirational to all of us!

Tuesday - I officiated at a funeral. Luckily, it was for a 99 1/2 year old woman who had a long, full life. These are the least upsetting funerals to perform. Yes, there is certainly a sense of loss, but there is also celebration of a life well-lived. The family and friends present honored her memory with wonderful stories and remembrances. It was a very moving experience.

Wednesday - I led a lunchtime Bible Study group. This group is working its way through the Books of the Prophets in the Hebrew bible, and is currently in I Samuel. We discussed the kingship of Saul, and why he is often thought of in such a negative manner. A very exciting, lively group!

Thursday - my day off. Thank God.

Friday - time to get ready for Shabbat. I truly love Shabbat, but, as a rabbi, it is not quite the day of rest that it is for everyone else. It is more important, I believe, that I am helping to facilitate the sabbath for the congregation. I will be leading the service with our cantor and also giving a sermon. Not sure yet what I will preach about....hmmm......

Saturday - I get to sleep late this weekend (thank goodness for the summer schedule!). Yet, on Saturday night, I will be officiating at a wedding. I love seeing the love sparkle in the eyes of the bride and groom.


Well, as you can see, it has indeed been a full week. I have had almost every single lifecycle event from birth to death in just 8 days. But, boy, does it keep things in perspective! So much to live for, so much to celebrate, so much love to share with others.

Ready for Shabbat

Hi, my friends! I am very excited that it is finally Shabbat. This week felt very long, and, as my dad says, "Shabbat always comes at the right time." Just when you don't think you can take another day of tumult, stress, or conflict, the Sabbath arrives.

As you saw in my previous posts this week, it has been a painful week. I don't think that anything out of the ordinary was going on - I think that it was more of a perfect storm of triggers: I got my period, I ran out of my muscle relaxant, I was really stressed out, and I led two very long worship services last weekend. Any one event on its own wouldn't have caused an increase in pain, but - together? Oy vey.

Yep, I am really ready for Shabbat.

Heads or Tails Tuesday - List 7

Wow - it has been SO long since I've had a chance to participate in "Heads or Tails Tuesday." It feels so good to be back! Heads Or Tails is a weekly meme done on Tuesdays. Anyone can play. In fact the more, the merrier! You can visit the Heads or Tails Home Page for more information on how you can join in!

Today's topic is: "List 7"

So, I can list 7 of anything that I want. I think that it will be fun to share 7 things that you might not know about me - some quirks, "weirditudes," and trivia.

Seven Thingies about Marci

1. I am a recovering nail biter - I bit my nails throughout my entire childhood, and somehow managed to give it up for the senior prom. Since becoming a rabbi, I have been able to keep my nails nice most of the time. However, you can always tell how I am REALLY feeling at any given time by looking at my nails. If they are short or bitten off, you know that I am feeling really overwhelmed. Luckily, they look great right now.
2. I dream of Taco Bell - I have maintained a deep passion for Taco Bell for much of my life. This relationship was challenged when I moved to Israel for one year. Despite having many other fast food chains (McDonalds, KFC, Sbarro, etc), there aren't any Taco Bell locations in the country. I guess that I was so distraught about this that I actually dreamt about Taco Bell a number of times.
   
3. I once tripped over Kevin Bacon's children - Oy - how embarrassing! I was out for sushi on the Upper West Side of NYC a few years ago with a friend. I stood up from our booth, moved backwards without looking, and tripped over a small child standing there. I apologized to the kid, and then reflexively looked up to apologize to the parents. Lo and behold, the parents were KEVIN BACON AND KYRA SEDGWICK!!! I smiled, panicked, and ducked back into my booth. I have never forgotten the feeling of SHAME!!!
4. I have seen RENT 8 times - I am a huge fan of the musical, RENT. I first saw it in Boston while I was in college, and fell in love with it. The story makes me cry every time, the music gives me goosebumps, and the characters became my friends. Since living in NYC, I have seen it many more times, and each time I notice something new. I am so sad that it is closing on June 1, and will miss the ease with which I have been able to see it over the years.
   
5. I have an extra bone in my left foot. Yes, you read that correctly. I experienced a lot of pain in my left foot as a child, and my parents couldn't figure out what was wrong. Our family doctor was baffled by it, so he sent us to an orthopedic doctor. That doctor took an x-ray, showed it to us, and announced - YOU HAVE AN EXTRA BONE IN YOUR FOOT! That's right, folks, I am a mutant. It really doesn't impact my life anymore, thankfully, but it definitely influences which shoes I purchase (pressure irritates it and makes it hurt for a long time).
   
6. I have been having recurring dreams about Hong Kong. If anyone can figure this one out, I will be forever in debt to you. I keep dreaming that I am planning a trip to Hong Kong. The strange thing is -- I am traveling alone on this trip, and I have never actually gotten there in my dream. I am constantly planning for it, packing for it, and occasionally flying there. But, I have never arrived....
7. I am afraid of soggy bread. I cannot buy ready-made sandwiches or wraps at convenience stores or takeout places. Thinking of soggy bread actually causes me anxiety - a fact which my sister likes to tease me about. I can't really spend too much time thinking about it, so that's all you're gonna get on that one :)

Well, that's all folks. Hope you've enjoyed!
So, come on - share something quirky about yourself!!!

A Day of Rest

My father, whom I adore, always says the wisest thing when we finally reach the day of rest:

"Shabbat always comes at the right time."

And, it is so true. Just when I don't think that I can take another minute of the hussle and bussle of the work-week, Shabbat is here. Granted, as a rabbi, I work on the Sabbath, helping others find the rest and rejuvenation that they so long for. Nonetheless, there is something profound that you feel on this holy day. The excitement, the anticipation, and the longing for something ineffable.

In fact, the Jewish mystics would talk about a "neshamah y'teirah," an "Extra Soul," that we would receive on Shabbat. Can you imagine it? We have an additional, special soul that joins us on the Sabbath. What does this mean exactly? I like to think that it means extra joy, extra opportunities for holiness, and a special connection with the divine spark that lies within each and every one of us.

So, on Shabbat, I like to take a deep breath, and try to connect with my soul and the neshamah y'teirah within me. I breathe in relaxation, and breathe out the stress of the past week. And at that moment, I can truly wish someone "Shabbat Shalom" - a peaceful Sabbath.

Shabbat Shalom, everyone!

Sermon Excerpt: Miracles

Well, dear friends, I have yet to share any excerpts from my Shabbat sermons on my blog, so I thought maybe I would include some of the concluding thoughts from my D'var Torah on Parashat Balak (this week's Torah portion). Enjoy!

________________________________________
Are there miracles that you have noticed in your own day-to-day life?
Now, I recognize that some of you might have trouble believing in God, let alone in a personal God that interacts in your own life, and maybe you don’t have a one-on-one relationship with God.

I still believe that we can all be like Tevye, yelling up at God, arguing, and asking for help and blessings whenever we want. God is there, within us and outside of us, waiting for us to open our eyes, just like Balaam, and see the divinity that surrounds us. Open your eyes. See the miracles. Take a deep breath, and feel your holy soul within you.

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, in a children’s book entitled, The Book of Miracles, writes:

"To be a Jew means to wake up and to keep your eyes open to the many beautiful, mysterious, and holy things that happen all around us every day. Many of them are like little miracles: when we wake up and see the morning light, when we taste food and we grow strong, when we learn from others and grow wise, when we hug the people we love and feel warm, when we help those around us and feel good. All these and more are there for us every day, but we must open our eyes to see them."

Kushner concludes this idea with the following question:
“Suppose, right now, your eyes are closed. How do you wake up?”

I ask you this same question.
How do we all open our eyes and wake up?
How do we see the angels right before us, standing in our path?
How do we learn to recognize our blessings, and see the small miracles, let alone the large miracles, all around us?

I leave that for you to ponder in the coming weeks. The great Shofar blast on Rosh HaShanah is meant to wake us up from our slumber, but I believe we can begin to wake up right now, and truly begin to open our eyes.

Ken Yhi Ratzon.
May this be God’s will.

A 50th Anniversary Party

I had the honor of blessing a couple at Shabbat services this morning - they were celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Isn't that amazing? I was just in awe and completely inspired by this couple. They are so in love, so devoted to each other, and so kind to those around them. I learn a lot by watching them.

So, this morning, I called them to Torah, gave them the aliyah before I read today's portion, and followed the reading with a blessing. I, little ole me, had the privilege of blessing this couple. It felt like it should have been the other way around - they should have been blessing me, and sharing their wisdom with me. I was, needless to say, incredibly humbled and honored by this experience. And then, to show how kind they truly are, they sponsored a lovely luncheon after services for all of us at Minyan. What a treat! May we all have the blessing of spending at least fifty years with a loved one.

The morning also taught me to be sure to find someone that I can imagine spending that much time with! Oh, to be a fly on the wall throughout their marriage! I am sure that they have been through much - many trials, many joys and simchas, and probably plenty of challenges.

Well, I wish them many more years of love, friendship, and blessing. And may we all find ourselves surrounded by the same.

Shabbat Poems for You

Welcoming Shabbat

Shabbat beckons with a promise of peace
Mind and spirit ready themselves
for the moment of liberation
that greets us each week.

Together, we take a deep breath
my friend's relaxation enables mine
As a group we welcome the Sabbath Bride
turning front to back, bowing in reverence.

Rejuvenate, renew and re-grow:
We anticipate the serenity
The song and words that warm our spirits
With candlelight, sweetness and shalom.



Silent Prayer

The stillness awaits us now
The moment of hushed commiseration with the Divine
How lucky we are to be afforded this opportunity
To close our eyes, breathe deeply,
And invite God into our Sabbath prayers.

In our silence, we receive Shechinah
Whose presence makes our space truly holy
In peace, we step through the Gates of Prayer,
And quietly enjoy these private moments of Shabbat.