Dec 19-21, 2008
Did you know the ancient Rabbis had a strong relationship with the natural world? They planted their feelings inside Judaism’s holidays, blessings, prayers, texts, and mystical practices for future generations to remember. They connected the calendar to the seasons, created awe-filled blessings to notice the natural world around us, developed a prayer book overflowing with the entire universe, and even expanded a law to mandate simplicity! Together we will explore this forgotten landscape where Judaism and ecology meet.
Generations of Jewish mystics have taught, “Do not say that this is a stone and not God. Heaven Forfend! For All is God!” How did they expand their sense of community to include hills, streams, birds, and the entire circle of life? The mystics insisted that Isaiah’s words were for us all: “The whole world is filled with Glorious Presence!” They wrestled with despair and knew the wisdom that connected grief, hope, and trust. They stressed that humans have a sacred responsibility to repair, to heal, to care for the world around us. Who were these Jewish mystics? What teachings might they have for our generation and our children?
Our work will be to awaken our inner Rabbi and discover where we stand within this ancient/ modern Jewish journey. Ancient texts and traditions will come to life using worship, outdoor meditations, contemplative practices, interactive text study, and stories of the mystics. Through these activities we will connect prayers with our hearts and cosmos. We’ll discover the Rabbi’s blessings for nature and create our own. We’ll follow a law mandating simplicity and learn why some Rabbis felt this was the most important principal in all of Jewish tradition!
We live at a time with so much at stake. How is Judaism relevant? What might we find as we deepen our relationship with Jewish tradition and water the ancient seeds they left us? Together we will form a learning community and practice remembering what the Psalmists knew: “The sun and moon give praise. The stars of light sing out. The mountains and trees clap for joy. Even the sea monsters from the deep shout Hallelujah,” Don’t be surprised if, during this indoor/outdoor workshop, you find yourself singing with crows, praying with trees, gossiping with the wind, or learning stillness from snow.
Click if you would like to read an article we published in our newspaper The Center Post.
Maggid (Mah-geed: storyteller) David Arfa is a pioneer in Jewish environmental education.Twenty years ago, while engaged in classical text study in a Jerusalem Yeshiva (a traditional school), he discovered an ancient Jewish love affair with the natural world. He has since worked with Shomrei Adamah, Keepers of the Earth, a national Jewish environmental organization, was director of education for the Shalom Center’s Eco-Shalom Corps, and developed innovative Jewish environmental courses and activities while program director at UMass Hillel. David has a decade of experience teaching and performing throughout New England as an independent environmental educator and storyteller. In the new millenium, David has become the Maggid (storyteller) for Temple Israel in Greenfield, where he brings stories to prayer services, family programs, and community events. The Birth of Love: Tales for the Days of Awe contains ancient mythology, old-world Yiddish tales (set here in the Berkshire foothills), and other surprises.