Traditional Russian Christmas making a comeback

January 07, 2014 by Leave a Comment

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7: For nearly 1,000 years, Russians celebrated Christmas. Histories, including the TITLE by William Crump say that this custom ran from the Christian conversion of Russia (dated to 933 at the hands of Saint Vladimir of Kiev) to the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. Traditional religion was suppressed and later a Winter Festival was encouraged. During its millennium of Christmas celebrations, these Eastern Christians followed the Orthodox custom of a weeks-long Nativity fast and then 12 days of Christmas. Christmas trees and carols were popular. Leo Tolstoy wrote about Russian Christmas customs in War and Peace.

Today, a blend of holiday customs are found, each year, across the vast nation: from no observance at all—to some Western Christmas celebrations in December—to more traditional Russian Christmas on January 7. That later date is based on the Russian Orthodox church’s continued use of the old Julian calendar. In Crump’s entry on these Russian traditions, he says that borscht, fish, blini and piroshky are popular. Christmas trees are back in many homes as well as Nativity scenes.

In fact, trees are popular in many cities, a point that turned up in international headlines in December when Vladivostok’s official city tree crashed to the ground in a wind storm. The tree was 90 feet tall and weighed 15 tons. Setting it up again was quite a project!

Russian Patriarch Kirill issued his Nativity message in December. The English translation says, in part: “The Nativity was the climax of human history. Man has always been searching for God: but the Lord chose to reveal Himself in full in His Only Son.”

One of the most stirring traditions at Russian Christmas is music. This form of Orthodox worship is limited to the human voice, which means the carols and chanted liturgies are gorgeous. The Smithsonian Folkways collection offers a terrific collection of Nativity music recorded half a century ago at a Russian Orthodox church in New York state.

Lively Spirits of Halloween: All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day and Dia de los Muertos

October 31, 2013 by Leave a Comment

THURSDAY, OCT. 31: Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve).

FRIDAY, NOV. 1: All Saints’ Day.

SATURDAY, NOV. 2: All Souls’ Day.

NOV. 1-2: Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos).

FEW AMERICANS know the terms Hallowmass or Triduum of All Hallows, which refer to the traditional Christian remembrance of the saints who have passed from this world. Instead, for millions of men, women and children across the United States and around the world, the end of October brings the secular celebration of Halloween.

That’s 158 million souls in the U.S., to be exact, according to the annual Halloween survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF). This year’s report by the trade group is fueling predictions of a slight reduction in American festivities. The NRF says the 158 million celebrants, this year, will be down from a record 170 million last year. Experts claim that recent economic anxieties have American families hesitant about how much they will spend for candy and colorful costumes.

Nevertheless, the total outlay for this sugar-fueled blast are enormous! This year, “celebrants will spend $2.08 billion on candy and $360 million on greeting cards,” the NRF reports. Halloween now is “second only to Christmas in terms of spending on decorations; Americans will spend $1.96 billion on life-size skeletons, fake cob webs, mantle pieces and other festive decorations.”

What are typical Halloween customs today? We’ve now got annual tracking of the most popular Halloween habits by the NRF, which advises retailers on what to stock. Here are the most popular customs nationwide: “There are a variety of ways Americans will celebrate this year, with handing out candy being the most popular (72.0%). Others will carve a pumpkin (44.2%), visit a haunted house (20.3%), take their child trick-or-treating (31.7%) and decorate their home and/or yard (47.5%)—and 3 in 10 (30.9%) will make the most of the holiday by attending or hosting a party.”

Two well-established trends, this year, reported far and wide in news media: Producing pet costumes now is a multi-million-dollar business. And, TIME magazine reports: More money is spent on adult costumes than on children’s costumes—and your choice of costume may say a lot about your personality on this one flamboyant day, each year.

COMMUNICATING FROM THE DARK SIDE

Among the millions of adults who will dress up, this year, “costumes are communication devices,” writes TIME’s Halloween columnist Kit Yarrow, who chairs the psychology department of Golden Gate University. In her TIME article, Yarrow describes the meaning of several Halloween costuming trends, including a wide array of sexy costumes popular especially among college students and young adults.

More interesting, Yarrow writes, is the ongoing popularity of “dark side” costumes: “Vampires, grim reapers, devils, witches and other powerful, predatory characters are top costume picks across all adult age groups this year, as they have been for the past five years. Yes, dressing up as something spooky and scary is traditional for Halloween. But there may be something else at work here. In a political and economic era where people feel less certainty and control in their lives, there’s a certain allure to being a character that’s unburdened by empathy and more likely to be the perpetrator rather than the victim.”

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES ON ALL SAINTS’ DAY

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops still reminds the faithful that All Saints is “a holy day of obligation.” The Feast of All Saints gives “Catholics the opportunity to honor all the saints, both those solemnly recognized by the Church and those whose holiness of life is known only to God and to those who knew them.”

The Catholic Bishops provide the readings for the Solemnity of All Saints on their website. The readings include the famous passage from the Bible’s book of Revelation in which John is given a glimpse of what Christians consider the communion of saints surrounding God—”a great multitude,  which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”

On the following day, November 2, all the dead are remembered in Catholic liturgy of All Souls, for which the bishops also provide readings.

These Christian festivals date back more than a millennia to the age when church leaders were eager to eclipse ancient pagan festivities such as Samhain and Feralia. The establishment of a Triduum of All Hallows was largely a Western Church response to traditions that remained from Roman times. (Our Holidays & Festivals column also is covering Samhain, a festival with a growing number of celebrants around the world.)

Christian churches that look to the East already have celebrated this festival, which is connected to Pentecost in the Orthodox world and is called Sunday of All Saints. In our coverage of that Eastern Orthodox holiday in June, we reported in part: “The Sunday of All Saints always falls on the first Sunday after Pentecost—owing to the belief that the descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) allows humans to rise above a fallen state and attain sainthood.”

DAY OF THE DEAD / DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

This hugely popular festival has spread from Mexico to many other parts of the world, mainly because of the creative folk art associated with the holiday: skeleton-themed costumes, decorations, dances and even toys for children. According to Wikipedia, the Mexican festival is usually described as a regional celebration of both the Catholic All Saints and All Souls holidays, spanning both November 1 and 2. However, “scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl.”

In a recent Huffington Post column, Dr. R. Andrew Chesnut, professor of religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, along with researcher David Metcalfe, wrote about the widespread and complex celebration of Dia de los Muertos these days. They wrote, in part: “Halloween and the Mexican death trinity of Day of the Dead, Catrina Calavera (Skeleton Dame), and Santa Muerte (Saint Death) engage millions of North and South Americans in rituals that reconnect us with our own mortality.”

They add, “While in the United States, All Hallows Eve has taken on the darker image of Halloween, with haunted houses, horror movie themes and the dead returning for trouble rather than tradition, in Latin America and Europe, where Catholic influences have remained strong, the first and second of November continue to hold their ancient ties to festivals associated with sacred remembrance of the influences found in the still living past. In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos … is a time to reconnect with deceased friends, family members and ancestors in a festive spirit of remembrance and celebration.”

ALL HALLOWS IN THE ARTS

The spiritual realm separating the living and the dead has fascinated Christian writers and artists for centuries. In 1945, Charles Williams wrote his final mystical novel about All Hallows’ Eve. For a time, Williams was a member of the famous group of authors and scholars known as the Inklings, a group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Among the Inklings, Williams penned some of the most imaginative contemporary fiction, including this 1945 novel that explores what relationships might exist between the living and the dead. It opens with an eerie scene in which a dead woman finds her spirit, once again, wandering through London.

Want something less esoteric? The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has multiple lists, created by various IMDB users, recommending great Halloween movies. One of the biggest is this 100 Great Halloween Movies list.

Too scary? A lot of online movie buffs are offering kid-friendly lists of great Halloween movies. One of the best is a new posting in BuzzFeed, called 20 Movies to Watch with Your Kids  This Halloween. Want a more substantial authority picking the movies for your family? Try this Parenting list of 19 Best Halloween Movies for Kids.

(Originally published in readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion, spirituality, values and interfaith and cross-cultural issues.)

The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca, a guide by Imam Steve Elturk

October 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment

3 million Muslim men and women make the pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, according to Saudi crowd estimates. For a personal perspective on the Hajj, Read The Spirit invited Imam Steve Elturk—well known in interfaith circles—to describe a pilgrim’s perspective on this epic journey. His Muslim center, based in Warren, MI, is called the Islamic Organization of North America.

The Hajj

By Imam Steve Elturk

Literally Hajj means: “to set out for a place.”

Today, millions of Muslims from across the continents take this very challenging, yet worthwhile, spiritual journey. From as far away as Australia, America, Canada—to Indonesia and Malaysia—pilgrims begin their travel to Mecca, the birth place of Muhammad, in order to fulfill their once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation. They travel using every mean of transportation to be united with Muslims from around the world under the one God—Allah, in Arabic.

Hajj is both a mode of worship and one of the pillars of Islam. This pilgrimage is a duty upon Muslims who have attained the age of puberty, are mentally sound, and are able to afford the journey financially and physically. Since non-Muslims cannot join in this process, let me describe the various stages of this inspiring and transformative journey.

(Note: Remember that English spellings of Arabic words vary widely.)

The Turning (Tawaf)

Pilgrims, dressed uniformly in simple, seamless white sheets, march toward the Ka’bah. This singularity in appearance signifies equality. It removes the notion of discrimination. In this vast gathering, pilgrims see fellow Muslims bearing every shade of skin on earth. Kings and presidents stand beside common citizens. Great scholars and the wealthy stand with the illiterate and impoverished.

Pilgrims stand shoulder to shoulder—as equals—chanting the Talbiyah, an expression of devotion to God that begins with the words (in English): Here I am O Lord—responding to Your call.

A sea of people circles the Ka’bah and moves in a counter-clockwise motion seven times. The Black Stone is the start and end point of the seven rounds.

Muslims believe that the turning around the Ka’bah resembles the angels turning around the Throne of the Most Merciful, God Almighty, in the house in heaven. The Qur’an mentions, Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of God) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for the believers (saying): “Our Lord! Your mercy and Your knowledge encompass all things, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing fire.” [40:7]

This is precisely what the pilgrims have come to Mecca to experience. They come to ask forgiveness from their Lord, the Almighty God, the Most Glorified.

Before proceeding to the next ceremony, pilgrims follow the practice of the Prophet Muhammad and offer an optional prayer at the station of Abraham, where he used to stand to observe the construction of the Ka’bah.

The Rapid Walk (al-Sai’)

Before rushing to perform the second rite, the rapid walk (al-Sai’), pilgrims usually refresh themselves by drinking from the well of Zamzam—a real wonder.

We know from Muslim tradition that Hagar—the wife of Abraham—and her infant son, Ishmael, were left alone in the barren valley of Bakka (today Mecca) after Abraham was commanded to leave them. In that is a great lesson of obedience. Once her provisions were gone, Hagar—alone with her son—was in search for water to quench the thirst of her baby boy. She would hastily move from one hillock, called al-Safa, toward another, called al-Marwah. Her determination and trust in God was so great that she never gave up hope. She continued to move in that motion, back and forth, seven times—until she found herself at the place where Ishmael was left. There, God performed a miracle. Water gushed at the feet of Hagar’s infant son by the help of an angel. God was, indeed, well aware of her situation and He indeed looked after her needs. The Qur’an recalls: Verily! Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are of the Symbols of God. [2:158]

Pilgrims trace the footsteps of Hagar during Hajj. They already have performed the circular motion of Tawaf, and now they begin this second rite in a linear direction. The pilgrims rapidly walk nearly a quarter-mile, seven times, back and forth between the hills of al-Safa and al-Marwah—keeping the centuries-old tradition.

Upon concluding these two rituals, pilgrims shave their heads or shorten their hair (women usually cut off a lock of their hair).

Mina

On the eighth of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th lunar month of the Islamic calendar, the pilgrims take a bath, resume their ihram garb, make their intention for the greater pilgrimage (the Hajj) and begin their journey to Mina. That day is called Yaum al-Tarwiyah (day of Tarwiyah, meaning to quench one’s thirst, to drink). Early pilgrims used to drink water in abundance in Mecca because, at that time, there was no water in Mina. Pilgrims are required to be there before the sun reaches its zenith. This day marks the very beginning of the rites of Hajj. While on their way from the sacred city of Mecca to Mina, approximately three miles away, the pilgrims repeat the chant that begins: Here I am O Lord—responding to Your call.

The 10-mile-long Valley of Mina is quite a sight! Usually empty, the valley is filled with this sea of pilgrims during the Hajj. Several hundred thousand tents are erected to accommodate the multitude. Pilgrims on that day focus on the aim of the journey, preparing themselves spiritually.

The Journey to Arafat

On the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, the pilgrims—while reciting their chant—proceed toward Arafat, some five miles from Mina. This ceremony is the most important of all the rites of Hajj. Arafat is the climax of Hajj. A pilgrim’s Hajj is not accepted if he or she misses this part of the journey. The Prophet once said: “The Hajj is Arafat. Whoever stays there until before the rising of dawn indeed one’s Hajj is valid.”

As one of the most significant stations, pilgrims are required to stretch their hands out before their Lord in supplication, while they are in the presence of God. This is the height of God consciousness. Arafat is the perfect place for one to show his or her remorse and regret for sins committed. It is the time for the confession of the sorrowful soul.

Aside from the combined daily prayers (noon and afternoon), while some pilgrims read the Qur’an, others may engage in deep contemplation and meditation, reflecting on the past and the course of the future. Pilgrims submit themselves to the Ever-living, the Eternal and the Absolute, praying for forgiveness and begging for God’s mercy. It is a time for repentance and renewal of covenant. Pilgrims believe that God will accept their sincere repentance and forgive their sins after renewing their covenant. In return, the pilgrims are expected to worship none but God, abide by God’s instructions and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, and do their very best to abstain from sins and bad actions.

Group leaders often echo the words of the Prophet Muhammad in his last farewell sermon delivered on a small mound on the Plain of Arafat called Jabal al-Rahmah, or the Mount of Mercy. It is believed that it was there when Adam and Eve supplicated, after realizing that they had disobeyed God. In their repentance, they said: Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost. [7:23]

The pilgrims are reminded of the Prophet Muhammad making history. A single man transformed the lives of people in every aspect. He purified their souls, shaped their thoughts and constructed a society based on justice, where every member of the community is equal in the sight of God. His 23 years of labor were summed up in his Farewell Sermon.

The Prophet preached a message of brotherhood, love and compassion, and the importance of being kind to one another. He addressed commerce and trade issues and warned against indulging in usury and interest practices. Muhammad spoke of the equality of human beings before God and the Law. He asserted, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve: an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black has any superiority over a white, except in righteousness.” He appealed to his community to uphold the modes of worship and to follow the right path, as he reminded them of the Day of Judgment: “Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”

With this message, pilgrims become quite emotional. As the sun is about to set, their supplications and prayers become more intense. Not knowing whether they will ever make it back to this place, pilgrims shed tears of regret and sorrow, hopeful that after this moment, God will forgive them.

The Prophet once said: “Far more people are freed from the Hellfire on the Day of Arafat than on any other day.”

Muzdalifah

Immediately after sunset, millions of pilgrims leave Arafat and rush toward another field between Arafat and Mina, called Muzdalifah. Tracing the footsteps of Muhammad, pilgrims spend the night there, offering their combined sundown and night prayers. Older men and women, among others, may proceed to their tents in Mina after midnight. The rest spend the entire night in the open until dawn, sleeping on the ground.

The scene in Muzdalifah reminds the pilgrims of the day of resurrection and Judgment Day. Pilgrims prepare for departure upon concluding the dawn prayer, heading back to Mina—toward the largest pillar representing Satan, the devil. In preparation for the next rite, pilgrims—before leaving Muzdalifah—usually collect pebbles slightly bigger than the size of a chick pea.

Stoning the Devil (Rami)

At this point, Muslims recall an ancient story about Abraham in which—at a crucial moment in his life—Abraham was repeatedly tempted by Satan. In response to the devil, Abraham would pelt him with pebbles. Three times, Abraham pelted Satan with seven stones to avoid these temptations.

Pilgrims commemorate this ritual on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, when they throw small stones at pillars representing the devil. This ritual of stoning the devil continues for the next three days—the 11th, 12th and 13th. Each pillar (small, medium and large) is pelted with seven stones. This symbolic ritual is an act that reminds Muslims to reject the temptation of the devil in their own lives.

The Day of Sacrifice (Yaum al-Nahr)

On the same day, the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims sacrifice sheep and camels in honor of Abraham and his first son, Ishmael—who, in an act of submission to God’s command, were willing to sacrifice and be sacrificed, respectively. Because of their supreme obedience to God, God replaced Ishmael with a lamb to be sacrificed instead.

Some pilgrims slaughter their animal themselves, but most Muslims purchase a sacrifice coupon ahead of time, which allows animals to be slaughtered on that day in their name without their having to be present. Each pilgrim may sacrifice a sheep or a lamb, and seven people may share the sacrifice of a camel or a cow. Factories are set up to do the slaughtering on behalf of the pilgrims. The meat is then processed, packed and distributed to poor people. Containers of meat are shipped to poor people around the world. Muslims in every corner of the world—not just those on Hajj—perform similar sacrifices themselves, or pay charitable organizations to slaughter on their behalf and distribute the meat to the poor. Muslims around the world celebrate this day, known as Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. The celebration is continued for the next three days. Schools, governments, and some businesses in Muslim majority countries close for four days.

Shaving the head (Halq)

After stoning the pillar representing the devil, pilgrims are required to perform a halq or taqsir. It is more meritorious for men to shave the entire head (halq). Men may, however, shorten the hair (taqsir) by cutting a length at least the size of a fingertip. Women simply trim or cut off a lock of hair. The rite of shaving of the head is a symbol of rebirth. All sins are cleansed.

Tawaf al-Ifadah

Tawaf al-Ifadah is an essential rite of the Hajj. Pilgrims return to the sacred mosque in Mecca to circle the Ka’bah seven times, offer a prayer at the station of Abraham, and perform the walk (sai’) between the Safa and the Marwah in the same fashion in which they performed the lesser pilgrimage, umrah. Tawaf al-Ifadhah may be delayed until the days spent at Mina are over. Upon concluding this rite, the state of ihram ends and all restrictions are lifted.

Farewell Tawaf

Farewell Tawaf, also called Tawaf al-Wida, is the final rite of Hajj. For the last time before leaving Mecca, pilgrims circle the Ka’bah seven more times, concluding the Hajj ceremony. If they have not visited the Prophet’s mosque in Medina prior to arriving to Mecca, pilgrims usually travel to the Prophet’s mosque, where He is buried. There, they pay their tribute and send salutations of peace and blessings upon Him, His family and the righteous companions.

Conclusion

The Hajj rituals have a very emotional and psychological effect on pilgrims. After having spent several days in Mecca and Medina, pilgrims return home spiritually transformed and with a renewed commitment. In spite of the physical hardships, many pilgrims describe the Hajj as the greatest spiritual experience of their lives. With the image of the Ka’bah engraved in their minds, the circling of the Ka’bah reminds the pilgrims to keep God in the center of their lives.

The Hajj is all about Repentance, Revitalization of Faith and Renewal of Covenant.

Debra Darvick: Preparing for Sukkot and Simchat Torah

September 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Debra Darvick wrote “the book” on the cycles of the Jewish year, as experienced by men and women each year. This Jewish Life tells dozens of real-life stories about the Jewish cycle of seasons. Throughout the book, Debra also writes brief introductions to major observances. From her book, here is …

Sukkot and Simchat Torah

By DEBRA DARVICK

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days.
From Leviticus 23:42

Simchat Torah means the Torah’s joy and implies that it is not enough for a Jew to find joy in the Torah, but the Torah should also find joy in him.
From Jose-Ber of Brisk

Four days after Yom Kippur, another pair of holidays appears on the horizon. Sukkot (literally “booths”) and Simchat Torah (“rejoicing of the Torah”) are a lighthearted and exuberantly joyous counterpoint to the seriousness of the prior 10 days. With the physically and spiritually arduous High Holidays at an end, Sukkot initiates eight days of festivities that culminate in the holiday of Simchat Torah.

The sukkah is reminiscent of the temporary structures built by the Children of Israel during their 40-years’ trek through the desert. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the fall harvest, and thus on Sukkot the booths also call to mind the huts early Jews would construct in the fields during their fall harvest.

Some scholars say the booths recall those used by vintners during the grape harvest.

SUKKAH REQUIREMENTS

A sukkah may be any size but must have three walls (the fourth side may be left open); it can be made of most anything—wood, lattice panels, PVC piping and canvas. What makes a sukkah temporary is its roof, which consists of tree branches, bamboo, corn stalks, or any other plant material that has “grown up from the ground” or has been “cut off from the ground.” The roof must be open enough to allow rain to penetrate. One should be able to see the sky and the stars, although this is not a requirement. A sukkah provides a prime opportunity for decorating. Children’s artwork, paper chains and strands of fall gourds all make for great embellishments. Some families sleep in their sukkah; others simply take their meals in it, weather permitting.

There are two other elements associated with Sukkot. Called the four species, they consist of the etrog, or citron, and the lulav, which is in actuality three branches—myrtle, willow and palm–bound together. Taken together, the etrog and the lulav are shaken east, south, west, and north as well as toward the sky and the ground to symbolize God’s presence everywhere.

SHEMINI ATZERET & SIMCHAT TORAH

Sukkot, observed for seven days, is followed by Shemini Atzeret, a day marking the conclusion of the Sukkot observance. Simchat Torah is celebrated at the end of Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret and is the climax of nearly a month of fall holidays.

The Torah scroll, Sefer Torah, is the holiest object in Jewish life because the words written upon its parchment are God’s words. For some, these words are understood to have been divinely given; for others, divinely inspired. The love and joy Jews feel toward the Sefer Torah reaches its peak each year at Simchat Torah. The scrolls are removed from the ark and are marched, and even danced, around the synagogue for all to see and hold.

In the Ashkenazi tradition, Torahs are dressed in coverings reminiscent of the priestly garments worn in the time of the First and Second Temples. The parchments upon which the text

is written are attached to two poles called atzei chayim, trees of life. Indeed, the entire Torah itself is also called an etz chayim, a tree of life. The parchments are rolled around the atzei chayim and are held together with a gartle, or binding. Next comes a mantle, often made of velvet or canvas that has been artfully decorated with embroidery or other needlework. A breastplate, usually silver, is placed over the dressed Torah. In the Sephar- dic tradition, the Torah is housed in a casing made of wood or silver.

Since the Torah is Judaism’s holiest object, it is often crowned as one would royalty. This crown, called a keter Torah, is also made of silver, as are the rimonim, smaller decorative crowns that are placed over the top of each Torah pole. Bells frequently hang from the rimonim. A special pointer, called a yad, literally a hand, is used during the Torah reading. The yad is suspended over one of the poles, ready for use when the Torah is read each Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

The Torah is divided into 54 sections called parshiyot (singular parsha). One portion is read each week, with two weeks of the year having a double portion. On Simchat Torah the very last section of the book D’varim, Deuteronomy, is read and then, without taking a breath the bal kriah, Torah reader, immediately begins reading from B’reishit, Genesis, again.

A Torah scroll is written by a sofer, scribe, who trains many years before being given the responsibility of writing a holy scroll. Each word must be perfectly rendered using a quill from a kosher fowl—usually a goose or a turkey—and special ink derived from vegetable matter. The parchment itself comes from the skin of a kosher animal, usually a sheep.

READ MORE FROM DEBRA DARVICK

If you are intrigued by this holiday introduction, you’re sure to enjoy Debra Darvick’s regular columns that range from family stories and reflections on nature—to reviews of great books she has discovered in her wide-ranging reading. To learn more about the books she has written, visit Debra Darvick’s author page.

CARE FOR A TASTE OF SUKKOT?

Check out Bobbie Lewis’s new column in Feed The Spirit—complete with a recipe for Sweet and Sour Stuffed Cabbage that she prepares for her family.

Debra Darvick introduces Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

August 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Debra Darvick wrote “the book” on the cycles of the Jewish year, as experienced by men and women each year. This Jewish Life tells dozens of real-life stories about the Jewish cycle of seasons. Throughout the book, Debra also writes brief introductions to major observances. From her book, here is …

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur

By DEBRA DARVICK

On Rosh HaShanah it is written; on Yom Kippur it is sealed.
From the Un’taneh Tokef, High Holiday Liturgy

Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are often referred to as Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe. Indeed, the 10 days that begin with Rosh HaShanah and conclude with Yom Kippur are filled not only with prayer but with soul searching, pleas for forgiveness and a commitment to spiritual and moral renewal. A special siddur, or prayer book, is used at this time. Called a machzor, this book contains not only the daily and Sabbath prayers said during this time, but also special readings and prayers pertinent to the High Holidays.

Tradition holds that during the days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, God reviews the deeds of each and every Jew during the past year and judges whether the individual merits inclusion in the Book of Life for the coming year. Through proper atonement and asking forgiveness (not only from God but from those whom we may have wronged), every Jew hopes to be sealed in the Book of Life for the year to come.

One of the most stirring elements of the High Holidays is the blowing of the shofar, ram’s horn. Remember that in the last moment before Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac, God called out to him and instructed him to sacrifice a ram, caught in a nearby thicket, in place of Isaac. The use of the shofar (plural, shofarot) commemorates this event and reminds God to take note of His Jewish people and their prayers for life.

The shofar is blown according to specific musical patterns named t’kiah, t’ruah, sh’varim. At the very end of the shofar service, these patterns are followed by a t’kiah g’dolah, one long blast of sound that, depending on an individual’s lung capacity, can last up to or even longer than a minute.

On the afternoon of the first day of Rosh HaShanah, many Jews walk to a nearby body of water to perform Tashlich, or casting off. Emptying their pockets of breadcrumbs (which symbolize their sins), they throw the crumbs into the water and then recite prayers of penitence.

The Days of Awe culminate with Yom Kippur. Next to the Sabbath, it is considered to be the most sacred day of the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur is given over to prayer and self-reflection. Jews who have reached the age of religious maturity (13 for boys, 12 for girls), and whose health would not be compromised, are expected to fast from sunset to sunset.

The hymn “Avinu Malkeinu,” “Our Father Our King,” sung on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, is a stirring component of each High Holiday service. The words of the hymn offer admission of transgressions as well as pleas for compassion, blessings and an end of suffering. On Yom Kippur the cantor chants the haunting melody of the Kol Nidrei prayer. Kol Nidrei means “all vows,” and it is the prayer by which Jews nullify any vow made by force or frivolity during the previous year. Yom Kippur services the next day include Yizkor, a service that memorializes deceased relatives. The mourner’s Kaddish is recited once again at this time, and services end at sunset.

Apples and honey are eaten during this season, in hopes of a sweet year. Challah, the rich and braided bread that is part of every festive meal, is also eaten, but during these holidays the loaf is shaped into a circle to symbolize the unending cycle of Jewish life.

When either Rosh HaShanah or Yom Kippur fall on the Sabbath, the day also concludes with a Havdalah service. Derived from the Hebrew word for “separation,” the weekly Havdalah ceremony separates the holy from the mundane, the Sabbath day from the rest of the week. Once three stars appear in the sky, the ceremony can be performed. Blessings are said over wine, a special braided candle and fragrant spices, and wishes for a shavuah tov, a good week, are sung.

Care to read the personal stories?

Debra Darvick’s book follows these seasonal introductions with inspiring—sometimes entertaining and sometimes bittersweet—real-life stories. You’ll find her book in our ReadTheSpirit Bookstore—as well as in the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google and Apple online bookstores.

Please help to support our authors by purchasing their books and sharing them with others. One way to share Debra’s work is to click the blue-“f” Facebook icon or the small envelope-shaped email icon with this story. Tell a friend.

On Bloomsday, fans of James Joyce celebrate Ulysses

June 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SUNDAY, JUNE 16: Get ready! Take a deep breath and loosen your tongue to read aloud …

Stately, plump Buck Mulligan came from the stairhead, bearing a bowl of lather on which a mirror and a razor lay crossed. A yellow dressinggown, ungirdled, was sustained gently behind him on the mild morning air.

He held the bowl aloft and intoned:
Introibo ad altare Dei.

Halted, he peered down the dark winding stairs and called up coarsely: Come up, Kinch. Come up, you fearful jesuit.

Solemnly he came forward and mounted the round gunrest. He faced about and blessed gravely thrice the tower, the surrounding country and the awaking mountains.

And, there you go!
These opening lines already are saluting James Joyce’s classic Ulysses. That’s the way countless fans around the world salute Joyce today—cracking open copies of Ulysses and reading the text aloud. The novel is set in Dublin on June 16, 1904, and was published as a complete novel 91 years ago in Paris (parts of it were serialized earlier from 1918-1920). The novel begins on a real stone tower, where Joyce spent a very brief but tumultuous part of his life. And, once again, Joyce fans will gather at what is called James Joyce Tower to do the one thing all Joyce fans do on Bloomsday—read aloud from Ulysses.

FIRST BLOOMSDAY 1954

Wikipedia provides an overview of Bloomsday celebrations in Ireland, Hungary, Italy, Australia and the U.S. Wikipedia also includes this summary of the very first Bloomsday in 1954:

Bloomsday (a term Joyce himself did not employ) was invented in 1954, on the 50th anniversary of the events in the novel, when John Ryan—artist, critic, publican and founder of Envoy magazine—and the novelist Flann O’Brien organized what was to be a daylong pilgrimage along the Ulysses route. They were joined by Patrick Kavanagh, Anthony Cronin, Tom Joyce (a dentist who, as Joyce’s cousin, represented the family interest) and AJ Leventhal (Registrar of Trinity College, Dublin).

Ryan had engaged two-horse drawn cabs, of the old-fashioned kind, which in Ulysses Mr. Bloom and his friends drive to poor Paddy Dignam’s funeral. The participants were assigned roles from the novel. They planned to travel around the city through the day, visiting in turn the scenes of the novel, ending at night in what had once been the brothel quarter of the city, the area which Joyce had called Nighttown. The pilgrimage was abandoned halfway through, when the weary companions succumbed to inebriation and rancor at the Bailey pub in the city center, which Ryan then owned, and at which, in 1967, he installed the door to No. 7 Eccles Street (Leopold Bloom’s front door), having rescued it from demolition.

BLOOMSDAY CELEBRATIONS 2013

Looking for an observance around your home? Check with local libraries, Irish-themed organizations and institutions. Or, start your own—it only takes a circle of friends to begin the annual practice. Events are scattered across the U.S., often in unlikely places.

Want some examples? Let’s start on the East Coast. In Portland, Maine, an American Irish Repertory Ensemble has a whole series of daily events leading up to Bloomsday, according to a report in the Portland Daily Sun. Orlando, Florida, is holding its second annual Bloomsday celebration, according to Orlando Weekly. In New Orleans, an array of writers and media people will converge on the Irish House, NOLA online reports. Chicago has at least one event on the Southside at O’Rourke’s Office from 6 to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Participants are invited to come and share in the reading.

The Irish Writers Centre in Dublin is home to the biggest Bloomsday bash each year.

Does Bloomsday qualify as a religious observance?
As Joyce would have said: You be the judge! Of course, it is impossible for anyone to read much of Joyce and not find layer upon layer of religious reflection. Check out the Wikiquotes page listing passages often quoted from Ulysses. Perhaps reviewing those gems will inspire you to get a copy and read along this week!

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(Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion, spirituality, interfaith news and cross-cultural issues.)

 

Memorial Day & Decoration Day: Finally crediting courageous former slaves—plus tips on recipes & music, too

May 25, 2013 by Leave a Comment

MONDAY, MAY 27: This year, we are two years away from the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, which began in May 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Here’s a convenient Index to other stories about 150th anniversaries of Civil War and Lincoln-related events.)

That means: In time for the Memorial Day sesquicentennial in 2015, newer American history books now include the real history—thanks largely to historian David Blight’s tireless campaign to correct the record. You might recognize Blight’s name from a number of PBS Civil War documentaries in which he appears as an expert on the era. (Blight most recently spoke in PBS’s epic miniseries The Abolitionists.)

BUT FIRST, THE HOLIDAY NEWS!
For Memorial Day 2013, watch your driving—and your seat belts! Nationwide, law enforcement officers are warning that Click It or Ticket policies will be in full force. Also, look for historic deals: Look around your region at history-themed parks and museums. Some will be opening for the summer season around this three-day weekend. Some have special Memorial weekend deals for visitors, including special offers for veterans. And, observe the Moment of Silence. The official national Moment of Silence, established by federal action, is actually a rolling minute of silence, set for 3 p.m. in your respective time zone.

MAY 26: PBS MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT

Don’t miss this! It’s on the evening before Memorial Day—Sunday May 26—carried via the PBS network nationwide from Washington D.C.

Click the photo, at right, to visit the official PBS Concert website for details about the event. According to PBS’s pre-broadcast plan for the live event: The program will be co-hosted for the eighth year by Joe Mantegna (a film and Broadway actor who is best known on TV for Criminal Minds) and Gary Sinise (CSI: New York). Both actors dedicate time throughout the year to supporting veterans and troops in active service. They will be joined by a line-up including: Gen. Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.) and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly—plus a number of pop and classical singers. The concert is broadcast live on PBS and via American Forces Network to the nearly one million American service men and women stationed at bases in 175 countries and 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea, as well as Department of Defense civilians and their families overseas.

THE FIRST MEMORIAL DAY AKA DECORATION DAY:
PROPERLY CREDITING COURAGEOUS FORMER SLAVES

All American history books haven’t been revised—and some websites produced by various agencies of the federal government still have the “old” versions of the “first” Memorial or Decoration Day. One U.S. veterans website still credits Waterloo, New York, as well as some Confederate women’s groups in 1866 as the “firsts.” So, ReadTheSpirit celebrates the growing awareness of the role of courageous former slaves in 1865. Now, Wikipedia, the PBS network itself and a growing number of history textbooks credit the courageous former slaves in 1865 with the “first.”

As of Memorial Day 2013, Wikipedia now reports:

The first well-known observance of a Memorial Day-type observance after the Civil War was in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865. During the war, Union soldiers who were prisoners of war had been held at the Charleston Race Course; at least 257 Union prisoners died there and were hastily buried in unmarked graves. … Blacks in Charleston organized a May Day ceremony in 1865, which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers. The freedmen had cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground, building an enclosure and an arch labeled, “Martyrs of the Race Course.” Nearly 10,000 people, mostly freedmen, gathered on May 1 to commemorate the dead. Involved were 3,000 schoolchildren newly enrolled in freedmen’s schools, mutual aid societies, Union troops, and black ministers and white northern missionaries. Most brought flowers to lay on the burial field. Today the site is used as Hampton Park. Years later, the celebration would come to be called the “First Decoration Day” in the North.

David W. Blight described the day:  “This was the first Memorial Day. African Americans invented Memorial Day in Charleston, South Carolina. What you have there is black Americans recently freed from slavery announcing to the world with their flowers, their feet, and their songs what the War had been about. What they basically were creating was the Independence Day of a Second American Revolution.”

ReadTheSpirit online magazine has been covering this progressive correction of our American historical record for a number of years. For more on David Blight’s work and the Charleston event in 1865—including the text of a contemporary newspaper story—see this earlier Memorial Day story we published.

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS, FAMOUS RECIPES & GREAT OLD SONGS!

Newspapers, magazines and TV programs will be packed with Memorial Day tips and recipes this week, but our federal government also does an impressive job of collecting information you’ll want to share.

SAFETY TIPS: Federal agencies are great sources of tips to keep you safe and happy on this weekend when millions of Americans love to organize picnics and launch into outdoor sports for the first time, each year. The Food and Drug Administration provides some very helpful barbecue and food tips. And, the U.S. Coast Guard weighs in on boating and water safety.

FAMOUS RECIPES: In this one web page, you’ll find links to sought-after recipes for a rich White House Beer (made with honey from a White House bee hive), the famous U.S. Senate Bean Soup, Mamie Eisenhower’s Million Dollar Fudge that kept Ike happy for years, Bess Truman’s mac and cheese and Senator Mikulski’s Favorite Crab Cakes, direct from the Maryland shore.

GREAT OLD SONGS: The Libary of Congress has one of the best online indexes for Memorial-themed reflection—featuring links to patriotic American songs. The Library of Congress index provides stories about the origin of these classics, plus many of these links lead to high-resolution images of early sheet music you can print. The list of nearly 30 venerable tunes includes: America the Beautiful, Anchors Aweigh, Columbia the Gem of the Ocean, Fanfare for the Common Man, Marines’ Hymn, This Land is Your Land and You’re a Grand Old Flag.

(Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion, spirituality, interfaith news and cross-cultural issues.)