




Information and inspiration on everyday nonviolence
As I continue coming back to re-read my friend’s letter, I have thought about his sense of regret, which I have heard others express as shame, as a catalyst for later rejection of an earlier liberalism. I have thought about the fairly constant thread in my own social and political outlook, as it weaves through my life from earliest years. There are certainly things that I have done and words that I have spoken in various facets of my life, for which I have regret, even shame. Through the process of t’shuvah/turning, returning, I have sought repair, even as God and the inner voice of our souls calls us to do all along the path of our lives. In regard to those years of the Vietnam War, however, I have no regrets and certainly no shame in regard to my own behavior as an activist. I was on the executive of the SDS chapter (Students for a Democratic Society) at my college, but when SDS turned toward violence through the faction known as the “Weathermen,” I left. I reached out to soldiers and others who disagreed with me. I spoke with police to explain the purpose of a sit-in as part of its organizing process. For me, the nascent buds of pacifism grew hand in hand with an embrace of Torah as a life path.
In a verse that I have often lingered over in the Torah portion called Yitro/Jethro (Ex. 18:1-20:23), I found in the cycle of this year’s reading a framework for the thoughts that swirled in response to my friend’s letter. Seeing how hard he is working, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, advises him to decentralize, to appoint judges who will decide cases in Moses’ stead, teaching the laws of life and helping people to resolve conflict. Jethro tells Moses that if he does this, you will be able to endure, and all this people too, each one of them will come to their place in peace/al m’komo yavo v’shalom. There is a special poignance in the last phrase of these words to Moses. They are said at the graveside during a Jewish funeral as the coffin is lowered into the ground, al m’komo yavo/tavo v’shalom/may she come to her place in peace. Even as we linger at that wrenching moment, so I tend to linger over these words of Jethro, coming this year to new understanding.
The verse does not say el m’komo/to one’s place, but rather al m’komo/concerning one’s place. In every place we are, we should be there in peace. Al m’komo concerns behavior more than direction. It is about how we relate to each other as people, those with whom we agree and those with whom we disagree, and about our ability to see the common humanity that is shared by all. Concerning each moment and place in which we dwell, we should be there in a peaceful way. In the end of our days, at the harvest of our years, our portion shall be one of peace if that is how we have lived. Seeking peace and pursuing peace in all parts of our lives and in every place and stage we come to, we are guided toward each new place without regret or shame. It is true in all facets of our lives, the political and the personal.
Rabbi Victor H. Reinstein
My dear friend and study partner and I meet at 7:30 AM on Wednesdays to touch base with the weekly Torah portion before the workday begins. Last week’s parashah imparted the description of the priestly robes that were created for Aaron, the brother of Moses, to wear as he carried out the functions of the High Priest in ancient Israel.
As I read the description of some of the accoutrements of the priestly garments (Exodus 27:20- 30:9), my eyes kept filling with tears. I have read these passages any number of times in the past and not had this reaction, so I felt puzzled. I am left with a big “Why?”
The text describes the construction of the garments. The people are to take two lazuli stones and engrave the names of the b’nai Israel on them –the names of the 12 tribes. Aaron was to wear these two stones on the shoulders of his garments, “as stones for remembrance of the Israelite people, whose names Aaron shall carry upon his two shoulder pieces for remembrance before the Lord.”
Farther along in the passage is a description of a breastplate, to be imbedded with 12 precious stones again representing the tribes of Israel. “Thus Aaron shall wear the breastplate over his heart before the Lord at all times.” Even after reading the passage over several times, I am still deeply affected by it. And it seems to have little to do with any scholarly understanding of the text – rather it touches me as a human being.
The image so deeply imbedded in the text is one of a human being charged with the responsibility for keeping the children of God in the forefront of consciousness as a sacred responsibility - - a deeply moving and colorful image of a profound kind of intercessory prayer - a priestly function.
But I still ask “Why?” Why does this particular ancient text have power to move me to tears every time I pull it into focus? Over the span of a few days an answer begins to come in the form of other questions: “What if I immerse myself in the metaphors of the text?” “What if I see myself putting on the shoulder pieces and the breastplate?” What if I carry on my shoulders and in my heart the children of God? What if they become to me my sacred responsibility? What if? What if? What if?
I yearn to make the leap from the description of priestly garments to a clearer understanding of my responsibility for touching the world through living nonviolence. I circle around and around with it. I don’t want the burden of what is implied in the text. It is way too heavy. And yet, maybe there is a very fundamental step to be taken - - perhaps a clearer way of seeing. The Hebrew scriptures tell of a people called to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” In my child’s eye, I imagine a whole realm of priests, dressed as Aaron was dressed – with beautiful carved stones on their shoulders and equally beautiful jewel-encrusted breastplates over their hearts – all inscribed with the names of earth’s children – a kingdom of priests whose soul responsibility is to keep the children of the earth foremost in their consciousness.
My old black down jacket with its frequently escaping feathers, my colorful neck-warming scarf, my blue and yellow and black and green polka dotted Thinsulate gloves with matching hat - - I don them each day to make my way through my winter errands. They are a far cry from priestly garments – but they are garments nonetheless and they can be imbued with the same kind of holiness. If I wear them with the same intention of carrying earth’s children into the presence of the Holy they become priestly garments. What if? What if I let the tears that come with seeing the role and garments of Aaron be tears that move me into my own priesthood?
What if I wear these strange looking winter garments with the intention of holding all human beings in a Holy space. Can I then ever countenance any indignity, any harm, any shame or injury, any rejection befalling them? Another step toward living nonviolence? “A kingdom of priests and a holy nation…” What if???
Vicky Hanjian
The word “kathak” means story. Kathak is one of the classical dance forms of northern India. The Kathak dancers have obtained an incredible command of rhythm and movement, as demonstrated by their control of bell-laden feet and intricate synchronized hand and body movements. One foot can be adorned with over one hundred bells. A trained Kathak dancer can jump without causing the bells to sound. It is clear the dance requires a rigorous and committed training process. Historically, the dances took place in village squares or temple courtyards. I had the privilege of experiencing this dance at the Modern High School for Girls in central Kolkata. Although this location did not provide the same atmosphere as a temple courtyard, the intriguing part is that the location did not seem to matter. I am convinced the dances can speak to anyone in any setting.
When reading an article about the history and style of Kathak, I realized how words cannot sufficiently capture the dance. I was completely captivated by the dancers to a seemingly meditative state. I felt as though I could have watched for an endless amount of time. When I reflect on this feeling, part of this sentiment derived from the main female dancer. There was a liveliness and energy about her presence that flooded over into her dance. I wished to bottle up that radiating energy and somehow take it with me and share it with others. I am now unsure whether the magic of Kathak lies in the energy of the people who are dancing or if the dance training itself allows the dancers to develop the tranquility they project. Regardless, I was most thankful for this memorable afternoon as a reminder of the spirit that brilliantly shines when people are passionate about what they do.
The dancers create an unmistakable and firm *slap* sound with their feet, immediately drawing attention to the footwork of the dancer. This could easily lead one to think that this sound is achieved through force and strength. However, the opposite is true. I was surprised to find out that the key to making the *slap* sound of the foot is made possible through relaxation of the foot and presence of the mind and body. The ancient art of Kathak speaks to us today: our messages can resonate more clearly through practice of mental-centeredness and not through application of force.
Haley Yseth
Guest Blogger
Lyrics:
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home