Sunday, July 15, 2007

Today we begin a two-week exploration of Judaism with the help of the Episcopal Diocese's "Peace Village" kit.



Call to Silence and Opening Meditation
Music: Cyd Baron, Cantorial Soloist--Esa Eina, composed by Laura Berkson

Readings:
About Judaism, compiled from various sources

Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people, based on principles and ethics embodied in the Bible ("Tanakh") and the Talmud, a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs & history. According to Jewish tradition, the history of Judaism begins with the Covenant between God & Abraham (c.2000B.C.), the patriarch & progenitor of the Jewish people. Judaism is the first recorded monotheistic faith & among the oldest religious traditions still in practice today. Judaism differs from many religions in that central authority is not vested in a person or group, but in sacred texts & traditions. Throughout the ages, Judaism has clung to a number of religious principles, the most important of which is the belief in a single, omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent, transcendent God ("Yahweh"), who created the universe & continues to govern it. According to traditional Jewish belief, the God who created the world established a covenant with the Jewish people, & revealed His laws & commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai in the form of the Torah. The traditional practice of Judaism revolves around study & the observance of God's laws & commandments as written in the Torah & expounded in the Talmud. The Torah includes 613 commandments including the "Decalogue", also known as the Ten Commandmeants. Judaism nourishes a community-based form of spiritual practice & the two most important places for a Jew are the home & the synagogue.
The mezuzah is a small box fixed to the doorposts of homes which contain special prayers & passages from the Torah, thus signifying the importance of blessing one's home with God's love. The symbol for Judaism is the "Magen David", also known as the Star of David. The menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith, which symbolizes the burning bush as seen by Moses on Mt. Sinai when God proclaimed that Moses was divine. Jesus is not seen as the Messiah by the Jews.


The Shekhinah Shabbat by 16th century mystic, Rabbi Isaac Luria

I sing in hymns
to enter the gates
of the Field
of holy apples.

A new table
we prepare for Her,
a lovely candelabrum
sheds its light upon us.

Between right and left
the Bride approaches,
in holy jewels
and festive garments.

A Reading from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene

After saying this, the Blessed One greeted them all, saying: "Peace be with you-may my Peace arise and be fulfilled within you! Be vigilant, and allow no one to mislead you by saying: "Here it is!" or "There it is!" For it is within you that the Son of Man dwells. Go to him, for those who seek him, find him. Walk forth, and announce the gospel of the Kingdom."

"Impose no law other than that which I have witnessed. Do not add more laws to those given in the Torah, lest you become bound by them."

Having said all this, he departed.


L'Dor Vador (from Generation to Generation) by Josh Nelson
(NOTE: each line is to be read by a different person)

We are gifts, & we are blessings.
We are history in song.
We are hope, & we are healing,
We are learning to be strong.
We are words, & we are stories,
We are pictures of the past.
We are carriers of the wisdom.
Not the first & not the last.
From generation to generation,
These lips will praise your name.
Looking back on the journey that we carry in our heart,
From the shadow of the mountain to the waters that would part.
We are blessed and we are holy.
We are children of your way.
And the words that bring us meaning
We will have the strength to say:
From generation to generation
These lips will praise your name.

Call to Conversation:

An adaption of "Shalom Aleichem", a traditional Shabbat song sung on Fridays to mark the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath.
(To be read together)

Peace upon you, ministering angels, messengers of the Most High, of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be All.
Come in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High, of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be All.
Bless me with peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High, of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be All.
May your departure be in peace, messengers of peace, messengers of the Most High, of the Supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be All.

Closing:

Music: Cyd Baron - L'Dor Vador, composed by Josh Nelson


The community asks for your thoughts/comments to continue our Sunday conversation.