May 2007
A Blessing on Your Head
By Suzan Berns
| |
 |
| |
In Jewish tradition, the priests or Kohanim hold their hands in a unique fashion when pronouncing the traditional Priestly Benediction. Trekkies may recognize this gesture as the one used by Star Trek’s Mr. Spock, played by Leonard Nimoy, an observant Jew. |
In one of the most colorful scenes in the movie A Fiddler on the Roof, the lead character Tevye fabricates the spirit of beloved Grandma Tzeitel who, he tells his wife, comes to him in a dream.
“A blessing on your head, mazel tov, mazel tov. To see your daughter wed…,” Grandma Tzeitel sings to Tevye.
Elsewhere, when Tevye’s family gathers for Shabbat, the parents bless their three daughters, chanting a slightly modified version of Judaism’s Priestly Benediction. “May the Lord protect and defend you,” they pray together.
These blessings, among dozens uttered by Tevye throughout the movie, point out the significance of blessings in Jewish tradition. In fact, as an observant Jew, it is likely that Tevye followed the custom of saying a minimum of 100 brachot (Hebrew for blessings or benedictions) each day.
Blessings are a form of prayer and in Jewish life, many blessings begin with a phrase that both acknowledges and praises God simultaneously. For example, the well-known blessing before eating bread states, “Blessed are You, Adonay, our God, Ruler of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth”... [Continued]
Repairing the World by Blessing Life
By Suzan Berns
As we go through our daily lives, each of us is the giver and receiver of numerous blessings, but most of the time we’re oblivious to both, says Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, the author of My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging.
In her book, Remen suggests that becoming mindful of these gifts, which she calls “blessing life,” and one’s ability to both give and receive them, is an important element in living a meaningful, fulfilled life.. [Continued]
|
 |
|
 |
The rabbis teach that "the world is sustained by three things, al haTorah, v’al ha’avadah, v’al g’milut chasadim" -- Torah study, worship and acts of loving-kindness. I love the rabbis, but I think the world is actually sustained by one thing: relationship. Or perhaps I should say relationships... [Continued]
|
|
Interfaith Connection, which has been serving Bay Area interfaith families since the mid-1980s, presents programs in San Francisco, the Peninsula and Marin. Programs range from one-session topics to continuing discussion groups and encompass the common issues faced by couples with one Jewish partner... [Continued]
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Reform Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa moves into its new home on April 29 and in May, will inaugurate a new series to introduce interfaith families to the congregational community. The classes, lectures, concerts and children’s programs are designed to provide meaningful and compelling ways to engage in Jewish life, build Jewish identity, and connect to Jewish tradition... [Continued]
|
|
Beth Schecter, director of the Peninsula branch of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, notes that interfaith families are an integral part of the Jewish community, and thus participate fully in the agency’s Jewish programming. Whether we’re talking about activities through the Jewish pre-schools, the agency’s Single Parent Center, teen programs, or the extensive outreach to seniors, members of interfaith families take part, Schecter says... [Continued]
|
