Shavuot: A Seal and A Start

I think it is reasonably safe to say – this was the best – and certainly most interesting Shavuot I have ever spent. Even before the festival started, we took time as a family to hike on a mountain (Har Eitan, just outside Jerusalem) where we taught each other a little Torah. Based on the idea of a familial assignment, we discussed with each other important places and things we had discovered during our year together. Yes, we have entered into the time of transition and saying good-bye. We had a goal of being here for all the holidays of the year and with the arrival (and now passage) of Shavuot, we have seen the cycle – from Tisha B'Av to Shavuot. Rather incredible really.

So – after being on the Israel National Trail to discuss the many paths we have taken in Israel, we returned home for havdalah (bein kodesh l'kodesh) and a simple dinner. Marsha and I went to a study session for Tikkun Leil Shavuot. In order to mimic the Israelites who stayed awake all night before receiving Torah at Mount Sinai, the kabbalists (16^th century) implemented a night of study for Shavuot. The first Tikkun we attended was at the Jerusalem Cinemateque where a variety of speakers were discussing, in 20 minute blocs, the notion of tzedek chevrati – social justice. One of last summer's organizers mentioned how important the protests were if for no other reason than restoring the use of the word 'am' (people) into the national discussion. I was holding out to hear Shaanan Street (of HaDag Nachash fame). He had been a part of the protest movement last summer and I am rather fond of his (the group's) music. Anyway – long story short: he came, spoke, was great, and I approached him afterwards to see if I could get a copy of his remarks so I could translate them…and he gave them to me! I have translated several of his songs and want to put them into a formal curriculum. I had sent a few of the translations to him and he seemed glad to meet me – thankfully not freaked out that I am some strange stalker. Shaanan seems to be a very genuine and kind person. His comments on Israeli society are biting and strong and always very insightful in my estimation. Having the chance to meet him was not only a highlight of Shavuot but really – the whole year.

After that shiur (lesson), we grabbed a great cup of coffee (yes, a kafe haphukh) and headed elsewhere. We visited a couple of shiur locations but they were too crowded. We wound up at Pardes, where there was a nice lesson concluding by Yaffa Epstein about the Torah belonging to all of us – and that we are the bridge of heaven to earth when we activate/live out Torah. We attended a final shiur by Pardes' director, Rabbi Landes, who spoke on the idea that Torah is commanded to us – and therefore there really is no room for personal autonomy or choice. Well…there is always choice to not engage in the mitzvot, he explained…but if we choose not to participate, then we are undignified Jews. Undignified. Although that is not exactly the word I would use to describe non- or less-practicing Jews, it did send a clear message how we in the more liberal camps of Judaism are viewed by some. And the truth of the matter is: we are undignified. We are ignorant. We are without shame at who we are vis a vis ritual, spirituality, intensity, Israel and more. But at least we are not performing idolatry. Making the law into what it has become in orthodoxy is nothing short of idolatry in my opinion. Sadly, neither ignorance nor idolatry does our people much good.

So…with those pleasant thoughts on my mind, we walked to the Kotel and most importantly to the area of Robinson's Arch, where we were for the night of Tisha B'Av. Talk about framing the year. In this archeological park (down from the Kotel), men and women are allowed to pray together. We enjoyed a beautiful festival morning service. I even participated in the Kohein blessing. From the service, we went home, slept a little, and went to a friend's home for lunch. Unfortunately, Eitan was home sick. Harli and I continued on to celebrate Shavuot at my sister-in-law's family (thanks, Deb!) on Kfar Maas, near Petach Tikva (outskirts of Tel Aviv). We enjoyed seeing the tractor parade, TONS of children, arts and music. Following the celebration, we had a meal of dairy delicacies and I brought some Israeli boutique beers. After all, Shavuot is the barley harvest.

So what made this Shavuot so special? Besides being in Israel for one of the pilgrimage festivals, which is the best place for a Jew to be for a pilgrimage festival, this Shavuot included learning in Hebrew, struggling with traditional texts, being exposed to modern dilemmas of Israeli society, walking the streets of new and old Jerusalem, praying and singing next to the Temple Mount, visiting with friends and family, eating a massive amount of dairy products, and concluding a complete cycle of Jewish holidays in Eretz Yisrael.

I found it very interesting and meaningful to start our year with Tisha B'Av, mourning the Temple's destruction and to end the year celebrating the giving of Torah. Both holidays mark an end and a beginning. The end of slavery and the beginning of a Toraitic life. The end of Jewish sovereignty and the beginning of Diasporic life. Both holidays demonstrate the bitterness of life as well as the joy of perseverance. Slavery and wandering, community and survival. That is our people's constant cycle, is it not?  

After this sabbatical year in Israel, it will be impossible for me to look at any holiday as I did over a year ago. And THAT is a good thing. I will bring to mind our experiences here. I will question our approach as American Jews. I will think more about the intention behind and between our prayers and programs. I will consider myself and what I want or need. I will think of my family and what we want or need.

I could stay here longer but I have a job to return to. A good job to return to. But I can honestly say that I feel done for now. Accomplished and Complete. Hakol tam v'nishlam. How grateful I am to the Essence, the Spirit of the Universe (Havaya, Ruach HaOlam) for having had the chance to be in Eretz Yisrael for the last ten months. Amazing. 

P.S. This is surely not my last post…but in case it is, I thought I'd give it a 'tam v'nishlam' (loosely translated: it's all good).