My Story 1

This series is about about what I believe, and what events brought me to those beliefs. It is also about  where I agree or disagree with other rabbis or groups. I never intended for this group to be about me, but rather about G-d, Torah and community. However, as controversy has often arisen, I thought it prudent to discuss who I am, and how I got to be where I am. This is not for re-posting.

My Story 1

Let me begin with an incident that I saw on an Israeli news program. I believe it is a metaphor for the issues that drive me. Moroccan Jews have a lovely tradition called "Mimuna". It is a uniquely Moroccan holiday, which has captured the imagination of many Jews from other cultures. Immediately after the conclusion of Passover, the Moroccans make a feast. Traditionally, it was held at the local rabbi's home. It is the first chance to eat hametz. Various pastries are quickly prepared. Mufletas, a wheat pancake, are served, to be topped with various condiments; most often honey or sour cream. Beautiful, intricate cookies of various colors, shapes and textures are made. The rabbis would speak words of encouragement. Yes, Passover, the feast of deliverance, was over. The Mashiach had not yet arrived. As tradition said that Mashiach would come either during Passover or the High Holidays, redemption was now at least half a year away. The rabbis would say words of Torah, urging the people to maintain their faith, for deliverance was surely on its way. "Mimuna" is derived from the Arabic word for "Faith"; not, as many mistakenly believe, from the name Maimonides. Some ceremonies of the Mimuna are apparently holdovers from ancient  Spring rituals, such as sprinkling the participants with milk, shaken from a lettuce leaf. When questioned about this apparently pagan ritual, one gets the inevitable answer "Rabbi so and so always did it, so it must be good". Today, Mimuna celebrations are held in Town Halls and public parks all over Israel. Politicians of every stripe show up in traditional Moroccan robes and hats. Whether anything religious will be heard, depends on the particular community. One year, a reporter went to Sachar Park in Jerusalem, where thousands had gathered to celebrate Mimuna. She asked a woman who was frying mufletas, the reason for the celebration. The woman replied, "So that these foods will not be forgotten (!!!)". I immediately thought that this was typical of much of Judaism today. Beautiful, meaningful customs and traditions are often transformed into culinary exercises. Growing up in a family that was several generations distant from complete Torah observance, there was always the Friday night roast chicken, and the braided Challah bread (of very dubious origin)...but no Shabbat. Passover saw matzah and wine served...but no Seder. All of my friends' families had the same thing. One year, after I had started Hebrew school, I decided to see to it that my family would have a real Seder. My parents were supportive of my plan. However, my Secularist, Socialist grandfather was livid, and walked out when he understood it was to be a religious ceremony. That was our last Seder for many years. So, was Judaism only a bunch of recipes? An expression of ethnic pride? A collection of ancient practices; some based on Torah, some based on folklore, some based on...paganism and superstition? Most of my childhood friends rejected the mish-mosh of popular Judaism completely. I decided to seek what, if anything, it all meant. Was being Jewish something to be celebrated, or hidden away like an old family scandal? I am reminded of the story of a group of college students meeting with the Dalai Lama. They asked him if he thought they should become Buddhists. He replied in the negative, saying that they must find depth in their own religions. One young woman said: "But I'm Jewish. There is no depth!". He answered, "then you do not know Judaism". Although I had never heard of the Dalai Lama until many years later, I quickly learned from my reading about Judaism, so different from my childhood and adolescent experiences, that I, and everyone I knew. did not know Judaism. Next time I will begin to describe my search.