Since I retired at the end of April 2021, I’ve written a book with the title, Judaism Beyond Binaries. I began my exploration by identifying ‘threes’ in the Torah and Jewish teaching generally, in an effort to confront binary thinking and practice. In my Kol Nidrei sermon, I explored a refrain of threes that expresses […]
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Congregation
Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Congregation
Rosh Ha-Shanah 5785The calendarProclaims‘_Rosh Ha-Shanah_’But how can that be?The old yearHas not endedHijacked byHorrorThe new yearSuspendedOn the far side ofThe abyss.WordlessMy mindSearches forSoundsThe voices ofThe _shofar_The sharp blast of_T’ki’ah_The bellowingBoom-boom-boom of_Sh’varim_The rapid-nine-fire of_T’ru’ah._ButAs my heartbeat quickensAnd I try toListen to eachParticular inflectionAll I canHear is aDeafeningTumultThe thunderousClamour ofWar.When will it cease?The relentlessTormentingQuestionWe all share.HopeAlmost abandonedLet […]
Joseph and their life of many genders[1]In this paper, I focus on an exceptional figure in the Torah narratives of the ancestors; a character who completely confounds binary gender assumptions: Joseph, the first-born child of Rachel and Jacob. In an effort to draw out Joseph’s gender nonconformity, when I am not mentioning Joseph by name, […]
On June 9, I attended on Zoom a webinar organised by Rabbis for Human Rights. Founded in Israel in 1988, and comprising Israeli rabbis from across the denominational spectrum, Rabbis for Human Rights ‘is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.[1] Its activities include: providing a ‘protective presence’ during […]
This week, we are reading the parashah that is at the heart of the Torah: K’doshim (Leviticus chapters 19 and 20). Known in English as ‘the Holiness code’, the majority of the commandments outlined in Leviticus 19 concern ethical behaviour and our relationships with others. Progressive Jews are particularly enamoured of Leviticus 19 for this […]
Counting the DaysCounting the daysIn IsraelFor the safe return of The hostagesIn GazaFor the bombs To stop fallingFor sufficient aid To get throughSo many daysSince October 7How many more?The countingOf the days of the OmerForty-nine daysFrom the second day of PesachFestival ofFreedomTo the eve of ShavuotThe Feast of ‘Weeks’The ‘Day of First Fruits’The first harvest […]