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For a simple, reader-friendly introduction to what it means to explore the Word of God, with attention to Jewish sources and methods, be introduced to our new feature, In the Light of Torah.
This new leaflet series, which follows the Jewish annual cycle of Torah readings, is ideal for Hebrew Scripture/Old Testament Bible reflection in Christian homes and parishes, and with similar grassroots audiences. It presumes no prior knowledge of Nostra Aetate, and introduces Jewish-Christian links through ‘bite-size' text, accessible language, and action tips that can be appreciated in everyday life.
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Johannesburg, November 2008
Bat Kol Kol Course Graduates 20 in South Africa
Year I of the Encounters and Relationships course in the New Teaching Paradigm series has just been completed in Johannesburg, reports local Bat Kol representative, Sr. Marie André Mitchell. They met one Saturday afternoon per month, for 10 months. "The 20 catechists and deacons who attended this first year's program found it most interesting and enlightening," she writes. "Many had never studied Jewish-Christian relationships and were horrified, from the introductory lecture, to learn how over the years Christians had persecuted the Jews.
"From a presenter's point of view I was delighted to learn how the participants used the program, sharing their learning with their parish priests and prayer groups, using what they had learned in their teaching, and also organizing Shabbat meals. It was wonderful to see our hard work bearing fruit a hundredfold." The Year II program will begin in February 2009.
The course presenters (left to right): Bat Kol alumni Margaret Mollett, Sr. Marie Andre Mitchell, Bro. Kevin McDonnell, sr. Mary Shanahan
The Parashat HaShavuah
Commentaries on the Weekly Torah Reading Each week a portion of the Torah (parashah) is designated for reading in synagogues around the world. A study commentary on that Parashat HaShavuah Portion of the Week is written by an alumna or alumnus of one of our Jerusalem Study Programs. Check this page regularly for the commentary to study by yourself or with a friend [havrutah partner].
To read this week's meditation click here.
This week’s teaching commentary was prepared byMary Louise Chesley-Cora, MA. MAT e-mail:chezcor@msn.com Bat Kol alumna 2001
Erev Shabbat, 3 July 2009Parashat Hukat-Balak
Week of 28 June to 4 July
Torah Portion: Num. 19:1-25:9
Haftarah: Micah 5:6-6:8
Readings for Sunday : Ez.2:2-5; 2 Cor.12:7-10; Mk 6:1-67 Jun
This week our parashat is a double Torah portion. In this reflection, I will focus on the first part: Hukat. It begins with the ritual ceremony of the ashes of a red heifer and the ritual purification to be performed by the priests in the event of contamination. The red heifer ritual reminds the reader of women’s rituals of purification in the mikveh. The words, mei niddah, used to describe the sprinkling potion made of water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer (Num. 19:9). are the same words used to describe the waters of the mikveh, in which a woman immerses herself after her menstrual period and after childbirth in order to change her status from temayah (translated as “impure”) to tehorah (translated as “pure”) (Pollack, 295). Handling the ashes rendered a person impure whereas the ashes made them pure so that the “pure becomes impure and the impure pure!” The ritual of the red heifer confounds even the sages as to its real meaning. “The ritual is commanded by God. It is set out within the Torah law. That is what justifies its observance, not some rational interpretation.” This is the reason why it falls under the category of Chukkat, one of the four laws of Torah for which there is no rational explanation (Pollack, 295). The red heifer ritual takes place as the Children of Israel continue to journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
For Reflection and Discussion: [1] Who are the women who have been a supportive presence in your life? Are they aware of your gratitude for them? [2] What rituals bring you life and keep you connected to the faith community? What are things that you do because they are the right things to do? [3] Are there rituals that you no longer find meaningful? Why have they lost their meaning for you? [4] Do you see Micah 6:8 as key to living your life? What implications does this have for your daily life and those you meet each day?
Bibliography: Plaut, The Haftarah Commentary (New York, 1996); Fox, The Five Books of Moses (New York, 1995); Goldstein (ed.), The Women’s Torah Commentary (Woodstock, 2000); Tz’enah Ur’enah, commentary on Numbers 20:1 (New York, 1989)
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