Tomorrow she is a pen and pencil set
A lot of y'all will remember when Yael was born. Hell, you probably remember the struggle to even get pregnant in the first place.
It is with pride, awe, and deep shock, that I announce that tomorrow morning, Yael Adina Fishman, my darling sproglet, will stand in front of Congregation Beth El and because a Jewish adult at her bat mitzvah.
She's so grown up! She's clever and funny and stubborn and a smartass (I know you're surprised) and she's going to do an amazing job. I'm so proud of the woman she's becoming!
Due to our long history together, LJ, you get a sneak preview of the event, because I wanted to make sure I recorded her dvar torah for posterity. So...here's the speech she will give:
Shabbat Shalom.
The big idea to discuss is how we are all Jewish even if we practice differently.
In the parsha Terumah it describes building the tabernacle.
The reading says how many units each side of the ark should be (two and a half, one and a half, and one and a half).
It states which offerings should be accepted, what you should cover in gold (almost everything), and how you should sew the curtains.
These are important details… if you are an architect . . . but not quite as exciting as other parts of the Torah. From these details, though, come the rules for not working on Shabbat. They have become known as the 39 melachot.
These are rules for keeping Shabbat which originated from building the tabernacle.
These are clearly important but Rabbi Harris and I discussed that different people observe these restrictions in different ways but they are all Jewish. For example, my uncle and family in New York are the most Orthodox. They don’t use electricity on Shabbat, they try not to use the elevator, they walk to shul, and keep strictly kosher.
Let me just say that other parts of my family observe differently.
But, we are all proudly Jewish.
There are many ways to build a Jewish identity and the 39 melachot are just part of it. Some of the ways to build a strong Jewish identity are:
* learning about Jewish culture
* expressing Jewish values and
* going to Israel
But even in Israel, you could go for religious reasons and visit the Western Wall... or go to Israel just to experience the beaches, restaurants and being around lots of other Jews.
You can also build a strong Jewish identity at summer camps.
I go to Camp Ramah in Palmer, Massachusetts. At Ramah it's super serious, we don't touch the lights, we go to services, we bench after every meal, and a whole bunch of stuff we don't do at home, but it is fun because we are together. We learn about Jewish history, food, and culture in a very open and friendly environment.
I have only 18 more Shabbatot till I am back at camp!
Jewish music is another way to strengthen Jewish identity.
And of course observing holidays. We always go to Saba and Safta’s for Shabbat and many holidays. The whole family congregates there for major holidays. But others can build a sukkah or just use someone else's because it's easier. You could fast on Yom Kippur as part of your Jewish identity or just decide not to eat in front of others who are fasting. I guess now that I am a bat mitzvah, though, I have to talk to my parents about that one.
In a sense, all of these things are part of building something very special - a Jewish identity. Some people work very hard at it and others do not, but we are all Jewish. All of us are part of the Jewish People and for that I am grateful.
Shabbat Shalom
It is with pride, awe, and deep shock, that I announce that tomorrow morning, Yael Adina Fishman, my darling sproglet, will stand in front of Congregation Beth El and because a Jewish adult at her bat mitzvah.
She's so grown up! She's clever and funny and stubborn and a smartass (I know you're surprised) and she's going to do an amazing job. I'm so proud of the woman she's becoming!
Due to our long history together, LJ, you get a sneak preview of the event, because I wanted to make sure I recorded her dvar torah for posterity. So...here's the speech she will give:
Shabbat Shalom.
The big idea to discuss is how we are all Jewish even if we practice differently.
In the parsha Terumah it describes building the tabernacle.
The reading says how many units each side of the ark should be (two and a half, one and a half, and one and a half).
It states which offerings should be accepted, what you should cover in gold (almost everything), and how you should sew the curtains.
These are important details… if you are an architect . . . but not quite as exciting as other parts of the Torah. From these details, though, come the rules for not working on Shabbat. They have become known as the 39 melachot.
These are rules for keeping Shabbat which originated from building the tabernacle.
These are clearly important but Rabbi Harris and I discussed that different people observe these restrictions in different ways but they are all Jewish. For example, my uncle and family in New York are the most Orthodox. They don’t use electricity on Shabbat, they try not to use the elevator, they walk to shul, and keep strictly kosher.
Let me just say that other parts of my family observe differently.
But, we are all proudly Jewish.
There are many ways to build a Jewish identity and the 39 melachot are just part of it. Some of the ways to build a strong Jewish identity are:
* learning about Jewish culture
* expressing Jewish values and
* going to Israel
But even in Israel, you could go for religious reasons and visit the Western Wall... or go to Israel just to experience the beaches, restaurants and being around lots of other Jews.
You can also build a strong Jewish identity at summer camps.
I go to Camp Ramah in Palmer, Massachusetts. At Ramah it's super serious, we don't touch the lights, we go to services, we bench after every meal, and a whole bunch of stuff we don't do at home, but it is fun because we are together. We learn about Jewish history, food, and culture in a very open and friendly environment.
I have only 18 more Shabbatot till I am back at camp!
Jewish music is another way to strengthen Jewish identity.
And of course observing holidays. We always go to Saba and Safta’s for Shabbat and many holidays. The whole family congregates there for major holidays. But others can build a sukkah or just use someone else's because it's easier. You could fast on Yom Kippur as part of your Jewish identity or just decide not to eat in front of others who are fasting. I guess now that I am a bat mitzvah, though, I have to talk to my parents about that one.
In a sense, all of these things are part of building something very special - a Jewish identity. Some people work very hard at it and others do not, but we are all Jewish. All of us are part of the Jewish People and for that I am grateful.
Shabbat Shalom