Today is the fifth day of
the Omer.
It is a tradition to
count the days between Passover and Shavuot, as we mark our freedom from slavery and celebrate our freedom to accept Torah. This is called "counting the
omer." This year we will observe the tradition of "counting the omer" by sharing
stories about the many different ways that we have been turned on to Jewish
learning, and through Jewish learning to Torah.
My Jewish
Learning, the Worst of Times
I was a 7th grade student in a self-described Modern Orthodox Yeshiva. We are studying the creation narrative in the Chumash (Torah) and discussing the age of the earth, that my teacher, a Rabbi, states is 5,000+ years old. I raised my hand and asked about the fact that scientists say the earth is millions of years old. The Rabbi completely lost control and began screaming at me, "Who do you believe, scientists or God?" I answer "scientists" and was banished to the school office until I recant. After a week sitting in the office, my father showed up and somehow arranged my return to class. I never recant.
I was a 7th grade student in a self-described Modern Orthodox Yeshiva. We are studying the creation narrative in the Chumash (Torah) and discussing the age of the earth, that my teacher, a Rabbi, states is 5,000+ years old. I raised my hand and asked about the fact that scientists say the earth is millions of years old. The Rabbi completely lost control and began screaming at me, "Who do you believe, scientists or God?" I answer "scientists" and was banished to the school office until I recant. After a week sitting in the office, my father showed up and somehow arranged my return to class. I never recant.
My Jewish
Learning, the Best of Times
As an adult, I enrolled in a course called,
"Faith and Doubt in the Jewish Tradition." The primary text was Milton
Steinberg's As a Driven Leaf. I was curious but doubtful there was truly a
place for me in the discussion group, given my skeptical mindset. The Rabbi
began the first session with the words, "Without doubt, you can not have
faith." I was relieved and glad there was a place for me at the table of Jewish
learning.
By Ellis Kirschenbaum
These stories are
brought to you by the Temple Emanuel RE-IMAGINE project, an 18-month initiative
sponsored by Hebrew Union College, devoted to re-thinking and re-structuring our
religious school.
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