WRJ Voices: Yitro

What are the key aspects of a Jewish identity? That can be a very tough question. There are at least three different elements that might be incorporated into a person’s self-description of being Jewish: peoplehood, religion and culture. Not only do I strive to incorporate all three of these elements into my personal definition of myself as a liberal Jewish woman, but I do so with a passion that somehow seems to encourage those around me to grasp that Judaism is central to my core. Because of whom I choose to be, I see the world through Jewish eyes.

Chapter 20 of the Book of Exodus contains The Decalogue or The Ten Commandments. However, these ten items are not actually labeled as ‘commandments’ in the Hebrew text. The phrase aseret had’varim, which is better translated as ten words or items, appears in Exodus 34:28 and again in Deuteronomy 4:13 and 10:4 to describe the core of the revelation of our covenant with God. God spoke to the people first without mediation from Moses, and then God is said to have carved the words on the tablets that Moses brought down to us at Mount Sinai. In general, a commandment is called a mitzvah, and the Torah is said to contain 613 mitzvot, including ‘The Ten.” To me, the most uniquely Jewish of the ten sentences is the fourth: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy…For in six days Adonai made heaven and earth and sea – and all that is in them – and then rested on the seventh day.”

Shabbat stands apart from the other nine. Peoples across the globe in one manner or another set up boundaries regarding killing or stealing or lying or sexual crimes – or even how their god/s are to be worshipped. Shabbat is an institution unique to ancient Israel. Yes, there was a Shabatu on the Babylonian calendar, but other than an etymological connection, Shabatu and Shabbat are vastly different. Therefore, the commandment to “remember” and to “keep” encourages me to use my Jewish eyes as I read verses 19-20 in parashat Yitro or when the Decalogue is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6-18. In the Deuteronomy version we are commanded to “observe” the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.

Over the centuries, the unique institution of Shabbat – no matter how we shape our individual observances - has strengthened us as a people, as a faith community and as an ever-renewing culture.

Each of our three children chanted The Ten Commandments on the occasions of their Bnei Mitzvah. Ronn read from Exodus in the winter; Shoshana read from Deuteronomy in the summer; Aviva read from Exodus during the celebration of Shavuot. This did not happen by accident. Our family discussions about these verses were intense and helped strengthen each child’s personal Jewish identity.

WRJ encourages each of us to be aware of and to strengthen our individual Jewish identity. We involve ourselves in peoplehood when we come together as a Sisterhood community with Jewish women at home and throughout the world. We travel to Israel and engage specifically with our sisters in Israel. We engage in religious study, often based on our magnificent text, “The Torah, A Women’s Commentary.” We participate in Services and often write our own creative prayers and interpretations for celebration of Jewish Holidays such as Shabbat, Havdallah, Rosh Chodesh, Pesach, Tu BiShvat and more. We study informally at retreats, with our Lilith Salons and with our Chai Mitzvah program. We embrace the cultural aspects of our Judaism by our philanthropic projects, our social justice projects and programs, and even by preparing traditional foods at home and in our Synagogues.

It’s very easy for you and your women’s group to refresh your current programs and activities by spending some time on the www.wrj.org website. The tabs will lead you to great ideas in philanthropy, Jewish life, social justice, who we are and what we do. Participation in our events will enrich your experience by honing your leadership skills, furthering your Jewish learning, deepening connections with other sisterhoods, leaders, and WRJ. And you are guaranteed to be having lots of fun at the same time.

Yes, I am passionate about constantly strengthening and enriching my Jewish Identity. I hope to see you at WRJ Fried Leadership Conference in Charleston, March 3-5, 2017. Then you and I can continue our conversation!

Shabbat Shalom!

Resa Davids is a WRJ Board Member, the founding chair of WRJ-Israel, Corresponding Secretary of the WRJ Pacific District Board, and VP of University Synagogue Sisterhood in Los Angeles.