Wednesday 28 May 2014

Tikkun Leil Shavuot

"I prefer your Torah to thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Psalm 119)

"I have invested my very essence in writing" [The Torah] (Shabbat 105a)

Hi All,

David has asked us to post on themes related to Shavout, which starts next week. One thing I want to comment on is Tikkun Leil Shavuot, that is the tradition of staying up all night to study the Torah.  To some this can seem like a strange tradition, especially as it goes back no further than the 16th century. But as with any tradition, if applied in a certain spirit it can be a wonderful experience. One year I tried- and failed- to read through the whole Torah during the night. I think I learnt a lesson there, namely, that quality study is better than quantity study. I also think that it is, like, so easy to become ensnared in mindless ritual and that is not what G-d wants of us. If reading through the whole Torah floats your boat, so be it, but it wasn't for me. 

In our house, after we have had our festive meal on Tuesday night, we indeed to do Torah study. There will the rest of us who live here and 2 other guests, so 7 in total. . All of us are going to write out and talk about a particular word of Torah; be it a passage, a reflection on a Bible character or a  particular theme. As we have 2 non Jewish (neither have any religious affiliation, but like living in a Jewish household & our festivities) housemates and those of us who are Jews come from different traditions, it should be an enlightening experience. On the second day we've agreed is that we are going to discuss/study the Ten Commandments and the book of Ruth, which are traditional readings for this festival.

I love Torah; her divinity, her soul, her meaning and her message, which draws us close to G-d, helps us in life, guides our ethics, makes us ,questions us and gives us so much more. I struggle with some of it, clearly, but I don't think I could abandon it. I wish to grow and learn more Torah as the years go by. The passages I have chosen to present on Genesis chapters 1 & 2, along with Psalm 23. I hope to put these reflections up next week.

I'll leave you all with questions for thought : 

  • To help me think these through, does anyone have any particular key idea on them?
  • What will others be doing, study wise during this festival?
  • Is it right to always follow tradition for its own sake?
  • If you are not Jewish, how do  study you own holy scripture? 
  • Is it communal or individual? And where and when do you do so?

54 comments:

  1. Love the way you refer to Torah as 'she'; that'll upset a few people!! I'll think about this, but as I'm going to be there on Tuesday. Hmmm, I do actually have to think what I'm going to present on as well...

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  2. Hannah's flatmate28 May 2014 at 13:05

    Yeah, but one of your housemates is undergoing conversion; not looking forward to the snip!

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  3. Hi Auntie Hannah,

    You're a real inspiration to me, so don't go around bashing yourself like.

    To help me think these through, does anyone have any particular key idea on them?
    -Isn't the theme G-d in those verses ?

    What will others be doing, study wise during this festival?
    - going to a friend's house to study with the student JSoc

    Is it right to always follow tradition for its own sake?
    -no I don't think so, but most of the traditions are fab anyway

    Can't answer any of the last 2 .


    Nat

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  4. Hi Auntie Rach,


    But I can't see the problem with this as a metaphor, I quite like it.

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  5. Hannah,

    Thanks for the flow of thoughts here. I agree that quality of study is better than quantity. My thoughts -

    To help me think these through, does anyone have any particular key idea on them?


    -Creation, G-d & humanity. In respect of Psalm 23, it is interesting how Christianity has took this one over. How do we take back these christianized themes to Judaism (& should we)?

    What will others be doing, study wise during this festival?

    -I don't think I'll be up all night studying as we've got young children as well as teenagers. I want to do something, without this disrupting routines and or preventing Mrs K from studying too. Any ideas anyone?

    Is it right to always follow tradition for its own sake?

    -no, slavish adherence to tradition without understanding why, or questioning, is worth nothing to you or G-d. Alas some people beg to differ and get wrapped into tradition, so that becomes to them the ONLY acceptable face of Judaism.

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  6. Don't worry. I'm told that sex is better with a circumcised cock than a non circumcised one! So it'll be good long term. That and being a Jew is fantastic anyway.

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  7. Never thought about that before. I like the idea.

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  8. Agreed bro. In respect of studying, I've got the same problem. What about having an hour's study with the family over dinner and then another hour after they've gone to bed with the older ones and Mrs K?

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  9. Look forward to those reflections. You've already had a few good advises put to you, so I'll just say, make it to the point, entertaining and thought provoking.

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  10. Hi Hannah,


    I'm looking forward to making cheesecake with you and learning how to make the Sephardi food you eat during Shavout. Can't recall what it is called now?

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  11. We'll be studying with the kids over dinner and then together as a couple after they've gone to bed. Have a good one sis!

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  12. Typical lesbians. Are you the butch one?

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  13. What a disgusting comment to make out of a perfectly kind and innocent remark from one loving person to another. Shame on you !

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  14. I was wondering about this on the other thread (:

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  15. Hey, I look forward to the feedback and this series.Alas, I'll be away for the festival, but I'll try and read through Ruth.

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  16. That's totally out of order!!

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  17. Hi Hannah,


    'if you are not Jewish, how do study you own holy scripture?' -


    At Church, at bible study (group) and at home on my own. Also read the bible in the bath and on the bus! (:

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  18. How stupid of you.

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  19. Hi Sophie


    Thanks for that. Can't really think about reading Torah in the bath or on the bus!

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  20. Hi GR


    Enjoy it the best way U can!

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  21. Hi Nat,


    Thanks for the feedback. It's great to hear from you. Not sure why I 'm so inspirational, just trying to be a good aunt to you! (:

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  22. Hi David,


    Thanks for the feedback. Much to think about from yourself as well.

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  23. Thanks David.


    Funny thing is neither me or Sarah are 'butch' at all, but whatever floats some people's stereotype boat.

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  24. Hi Sarah

    Khai (Jewish iraqi) and siete cielos (a seven layered cake of Moroccan Jewish origin) xxx :)

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  25. Yeah, too right, you're both attractive 'feminine' women, who are like so right together.

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  26. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTMNqi6PHa3BpsuRLM9V4KcPkUlUqwFxUMnI3jqTcMl4rq0slrh

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  27. No problem Hannah. Neither you nor Sarah deserve such remarks .

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  28. Hi Sam

    Thanks for saying that! (:

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  29. Hi All,

    Alas someone (Hi David!), managed to delete some posts, so I'm reposting one here: Doctor Who is back in August !!

    Yeah!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYN6ruU672Y

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  30. Funny thing every religion 'cherry picks' what to emphasize so that's not going to get you very far is it ? Besides which, with all due respect, I'm not a Christian, so don't have Christian interpretations of holy scripture. In short, you are wasting your time.

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  31. Hi Hannah,


    Thanks for reminding me ! Can't wait :)!!xxx

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  32. Hi David,


    Thanks for being so kind and welcoming to me (: x

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  33. Thanks Sam,
    I hope you find a great girlfriend too!

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  34. Yes! Can't wait. Will miss Matt Smith, though.

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  35. Well, here is the one I tried to post earlier on.

    For my teacher friends , who lovingly describe the Education Secretary, as "Gove", here is where he gets bitch slapped by Tom Watson in the Commons. Enjoy! -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIM1pVwsAHI

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  36. Hey Sarah,


    Well you've made our Hannah really happy, so we're all happy about that. And you are a cute couple, if you don't mind me saying. As for me, yeah, the dude would like a girlfriend, but being on the rebound, I guess I'm being extremely cautious there.

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  37. Hey, Hannah,


    What are big bros for, other than to protect their siblings & friends ??!

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  38. Yep, can't wait for it either. Will have to watch it on the BBC Player, though, as it will come on during Shabbat!!

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  39. Yeah, let's recap his final moments -

    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x193bht_doctor-who-the-11th-doctor-s-regeneration_creation

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  40. Yeah, let's recap his final moments -

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BehwuPQm16A

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  41. Hannah/Sam.


    Yes, sorry about that. I don't know what happened with them.

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  42. Sarah,
    Oh that's OK. To be totally honest, I do struggle with gaydom, especially verses Judaism,however, you are both wanting to be part of the Jewish faith and are adults, who are capable of making decisions. I thought we'd lost Hannah's spark for a while, but you've helped to bring it back. I can see you are a kind/loving person who loves my sister a lot. That's what matters at the end of the day.

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  43. Can't wait for the new set of episodes either. It got a little crap with plot lines so complex, you needed a degree from Cambridge to understand.but managed to turn itself around. Hopefully the better stories will continue.

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  44. Heh, even better was watching Gove grovel.

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  45. If it helps, I've put up another thread, so this one doesn't get too off topic! :)

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  46. Sarah,
    I, my husband and children, can't wait to see you both next week. I've heard nothing but good things about you!

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  47. David,
    I agree with you, when you've got children it is a different ball game. But I'm thinking, quality not quantity. As Hannah said above.

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  48. No worries David, it happens sometimes!

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  49. We can't wait to see you guys as well!!

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  50. Matt Smith was hot!

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  51. Jenna Lou Coleman is hotter !!!

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  52. HI Rachel,


    Yes, but Torah is feminine in Hebrew! (:

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