I am exhausted. Up and down Masada. Ein Gedi Springs. Just wrote a long blog entry that disappeared.
But...
I have to report on the amazing moment the group shared on Masada.
Way up on top of this mountain in the middle of the desert where Herod built his winter palace and 1000 Jews committed suicide rather than surrender tyo the Romans is an ancient synagogue. It was built by the Zealots in the 1st century. In that synagogue is a room double locked and in that room is a safe with an ark cover over it. With the right keys I opened it and pulled out a Torah. Can i tell you what it's like traipsing across Masada with a Torah in my hands? The overwhelming feeling of somehow continuing a process? Of doing a bold new thing?
I can't describe it. It was too new, too intense, too overdetermined... Walking into the room where the TBA group was waiting, and seeing their eyes as i entered with that scroll. It couldve been a thousand years ago -- 2 thousand years ago. To see the excitement and the joy in their faces.
We made a ceremony honoring our most recent Bat Mitzvah, Monique and our next Bat Mitzvah, Halley. Standing on one side of the room were all those who already had a Bar/t Mitzvah. On the other, those kids and adults who never had one. I had all the TBA post Bar Mitzvah celebrants line up and pass the Torah to Monique, who then gave it to Halley who held it as all the younger kids touched the Torah. Talk about symetry and a perfect moment.
I then asked the non-Bar/t Mitzvah adults a question: Is anyone ready to declare that they are ready to commit to the next adult B'nei Mitzvah class? No pressure, really. Just 2 thousand years of history swirling through the air. Reesa, Suzanne, Deborah and Michele and John stepped up. How amazing was that?
These are the moments that reminds one that occasionally a group trip can change your life. Every day.
But...
I have to report on the amazing moment the group shared on Masada.
Way up on top of this mountain in the middle of the desert where Herod built his winter palace and 1000 Jews committed suicide rather than surrender tyo the Romans is an ancient synagogue. It was built by the Zealots in the 1st century. In that synagogue is a room double locked and in that room is a safe with an ark cover over it. With the right keys I opened it and pulled out a Torah. Can i tell you what it's like traipsing across Masada with a Torah in my hands? The overwhelming feeling of somehow continuing a process? Of doing a bold new thing?
I can't describe it. It was too new, too intense, too overdetermined... Walking into the room where the TBA group was waiting, and seeing their eyes as i entered with that scroll. It couldve been a thousand years ago -- 2 thousand years ago. To see the excitement and the joy in their faces.
We made a ceremony honoring our most recent Bat Mitzvah, Monique and our next Bat Mitzvah, Halley. Standing on one side of the room were all those who already had a Bar/t Mitzvah. On the other, those kids and adults who never had one. I had all the TBA post Bar Mitzvah celebrants line up and pass the Torah to Monique, who then gave it to Halley who held it as all the younger kids touched the Torah. Talk about symetry and a perfect moment.
I then asked the non-Bar/t Mitzvah adults a question: Is anyone ready to declare that they are ready to commit to the next adult B'nei Mitzvah class? No pressure, really. Just 2 thousand years of history swirling through the air. Reesa, Suzanne, Deborah and Michele and John stepped up. How amazing was that?
These are the moments that reminds one that occasionally a group trip can change your life. Every day.
posted by rebhayim at 12:49 PM
2 Comments:
Wow.... thank you for letting us live vicariously.... are you guys doing chanukah over there? Have a wonderful rest of the journey and safe travels home
Wow! That was really a powerful entry! I felt like I was there with you. Those are the moments that make an indelible impression on everyone who is there and even on those of us who are just reading and experiencing the trip vicariously. Thanks so much for sharing your extremely moving descriptions and insights!
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