As we look forward to celebrating a Bar and a Bat Mitzvah over the coming weeks, we again are reminded of our obligation to be a community of learners. It takes such courage for our young people to learn and sing in front of us. But I have come to appreciate that their fear is nothing compared to that of’ grown-ups’ – now that fear is monumental. So kol hakavod to everyone who is facing into the challenge of learning new prayers, reading Torah – and then sharing your learning with us.
Learning can be fascinating. I remember being at a Taharah and one of the women present remarked how she had not been able to come for a while and she couldn’t remember how to tie the knots. And then she said, “But my hands will remember.” And they did. So much of what we do as Jews builds wisdom and learning into our hands, our bodies. And we have to learn to trust that learning.
My favourite prayer in the weekday Amidah is as follows: In the blessing known as Ata Chonen we recite: “You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception. Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are you the grantor of wisdom.”
In our hands, and in our souls, may we know all these blessings, of wisdom and perception, and share our own wisdom gently.
With love,
Rabbi Lynn
Chaye Sarah
November 17, 2024 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
As we look forward to celebrating a Bar and a Bat Mitzvah over the coming weeks, we again are reminded of our obligation to be a community of learners. It takes such courage for our young people to learn and sing in front of us. But I have come to appreciate that their fear is nothing compared to that of’ grown-ups’ – now that fear is monumental. So kol hakavod to everyone who is facing into the challenge of learning new prayers, reading Torah – and then sharing your learning with us.
Learning can be fascinating. I remember being at a Taharah and one of the women present remarked how she had not been able to come for a while and she couldn’t remember how to tie the knots. And then she said, “But my hands will remember.” And they did. So much of what we do as Jews builds wisdom and learning into our hands, our bodies. And we have to learn to trust that learning.
My favourite prayer in the weekday Amidah is as follows: In the blessing known as Ata Chonen we recite: “You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception. Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are you the grantor of wisdom.”
In our hands, and in our souls, may we know all these blessings, of wisdom and perception, and share our own wisdom gently.
With love,
Rabbi Lynn