I Was Just Thinking About The Term "two Jews Three Opinions" (as I Frequently Do, I Love That Phrase).

23 October 2024 - 21 Tishrei 5785

Yes, today is the seventh day of Sukkot, Hoshana Raba! Hoshana Raba is the day on which it is said that the divine judgement which was “sealed” on Yom Kippur is delivered. Outside of Israel, Shemini Atzeret begins at sundown. In Israel, Simchat Torah begins at sundown. Please note timing and observances of these holidays may vary by congregation.

Every day I think about how I opened up to a friend about a threat that was sent to my synagogue, and her initial response was confusion, followed by a statement that whoever sent the threat should know that “Judaism is not the same as zionism.”

I’ve never felt more scared realizing that people I know and work with could rationalize threats of attacks at local American synagogues if the synagogue was ✨Zionist✨

And I think about it all the time, because that was supposed to be a statement of comfort in her mind. With the implication was that I was a good, non Zionist conversion student and had nothing to worry about.

It’s not that people can be grossly antisemitic. Their intention and values were just aimed at the wrong place?? 🤨🙄

I know this isn’t a new line of thinking. But it was jarring to hear it said to my face.

‎שנה טובה ומתוקה!

For the past month of Elul (and for this past week for the Ashkenazim lol), we have been reciting selichot, preparing for Yammim Noraim, the days of awe. And finally, tonight is the start of Rosh Hashanah.

So what’s so special? Why did we take the extra time to prepare? Isn’t it just the start of a new year, Nothing more?

There are two reasons why we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah:

One is a wake-up call, now is the time to do Teshuvah, now is the time to return to Hashem. We’ve sinned, we’ve transgressed, but now is the time to do better. We can always come back on the derech, the path.

Like how a king is announced with trumpets. Reason number two for the blowing of the shofar is that we are pronouncing Hashem as King of kings, Master of masters, and Host of hosts. We’ve grown comfortable throughout the year and we remind ourselves now of Hashem’s greatness while we renew our covenant with Hashem.

This year, when you hear the Shofars blows. Take the time to feel, to acknowledge, and to appreciate. May you have a year as sweet as Apple and Honey. Be plentiful in Mitzvot like a Pomegranate is in its seeds. And always dwell in the house of Hashem.

לשנה טובה ומתוקה

-רנה 3>

In the Jewish calendar, the anniversary of the Simchat Torah pogrom hasn't happened yet. Simchat Torah is in a few weeks. But if the rest of the world is going to desecrate the memories of those we lost on this day, we must commemorate the pogrom on the Gregorian calendar as well.

I will never be the same person I was before October 7th. We as a people will never be the same. But that's what has allowed us to survive all these millennia - we don't try to go back to how we were: we rebuild, we move forward. When the first Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, we began to set our calendar. When the second Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, we began to record oral Torah. Through thousands of years of successive colonization, genocide, and exile, we have recontextualized and reiterated to ourselves and to the world what it means to be a Jew.

We are Ivrim- people from the "other side", never fully part of the dominant society, but proud of who we are.

עברי אנכי ואת ה' אלוקי השמים אני ירא

"I am an Ivri and I revere YHVH the Lord of the Heavens"

[Yonah 1:9]

We are Yehudim- descendents of the majesty of the united sovereignty of Malchut Yehudah, yearning to return to the time of peace and unity under David and Shlomo.

ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששן ויקר

"The Yehudim had light and joy and happiness and esteem"

[Esther 8:16]

We are Bnei Yisrael- all descendants of the man who wrestled an angel and conversed with G-d

ושמרו בני ישראל את השבת לעשות את השבת לדרתם ברית עולם

"And Bnei Yisrael shall observe the Shabbat to establish the Shabbat for their generations as a forever covenant"

[Shemot- Ki Tisa 31:16]

We are a small nation scattered across the globe, united time and time again by immense loss. But there will come a day when we are united with one heart and one soul not by tragedy, but by joy.

We will rebuild. We will survive. We will dance again.

✡️עם ישראל לעולם חי🎗️

this shouldn't be a controversial opinion, but every single jew should be open and safe to discuss all types of antisemitism they receive. yes, even the jews you dont like. even the ones you think couldn't possibly experience those problems are allowed to talk about it. you are not the only person who exists, meaning that your morals do not dictate how everyone else thinks. so, let jewish people talk about antisemitism. even if you cant understand it, let us have a space to just talk about it.

reminder that disinformation is bad even when it furthers your narrative. if an organization is bad, you don't have to make up lies about it being bad. it's already bad literally just utilize the facts that are available to you

If your first reaction to learning a Jew is a zionist is to start being antisemitic, you were antisemitic in the first place.

If you can understand that it is wrong to misgender a trans person you don’t like, but can’t understand that it is wrong to be antisemitic to a Jewish person you don’t like, well… good luck, Charlie.

Taylor Swift and that football player broke up??? She's been seen with a new guy too??? Some racer???

Vampires when they sip on your blood and catch extra strength Tylenol, at least two psychiatric meds, two cups of coffee, weed, and microplastics