tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post2619772968191182531..comments2023-10-04T17:22:19.993+03:00Comments on Never Ruthless: Spiritual Balm for a Jewish Woman's Soul - Part 1arutimizrachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06809119908148195009noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-24895814566400298492014-12-28T10:49:40.232+02:002014-12-28T10:49:40.232+02:00Great conversation, ladies (and one gent)! I purpo...Great conversation, ladies (and one gent)! I purposely did not get involved in the comments, because I want your thoughts to flow freely. Later, it will be more of a conversation, I hope. Now, onto Part 2a, as my dear friend Rivkah has provided us with Part 2: http://bataliyah.blogspot.co.il/2014/12/spiritual-balm-for-jewish-womans-soul_26.htmlrutimizrachihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06809119908148195009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-46535560624304785472014-12-22T21:51:20.825+02:002014-12-22T21:51:20.825+02:00I don't think spirituality looks like anything...I don't think spirituality looks like anything. It's a personal feeling, a connection between us and Hashem. Daily hitbodedut, private prayer and looking for G-d in every aspect of my life is my way of getting closer to the Source. That is also what separates us from men as they need those davening requirements to force their spirituality. Woman encompass it by nature.Chaya Onoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-37535688912749311942014-12-22T21:23:49.446+02:002014-12-22T21:23:49.446+02:00I'm at the stage where I really have given up ...I'm at the stage where I really have given up on shul. I'm not looking for a shul that's "better". I have no interest in a women's tefillah group. What Ruti and I are striving for in this conversation is a way to articulate what Jewish women do, separate from tefillah b'tzibor, to nurture, grow and strengthen ourselves spiritually. In other words, not including shul, what does Jewish women's spirituality look like? Bat Aliyahhttp://bataliyah.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-62132503029162979222014-12-22T19:36:16.109+02:002014-12-22T19:36:16.109+02:00Wonderfully written and I do so agree with you. I ...Wonderfully written and I do so agree with you. I am quite comfortable in my role as a woman in Judaism and shul going (or not going). But I do believe there are some shuls where one can really have a true spiritual experience without all the noise and chit chat. (If I find one, I'll let you know, lol). The only thing I disagree with is when you said "(except when I am angry at Him, and then of course I need to speak with someone else);". I tend to tell Him how I feel, even if I'm angry at Him, although it rarely happens since I know I deserve whatever is coming to me. It's kind of a cleansing thing. Anyway, looking forward to Part 2a.Chaya Onoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-22676843582374699742014-12-22T18:31:07.726+02:002014-12-22T18:31:07.726+02:00I miss the secret handshake. Sometimes the Shul c...I miss the secret handshake. Sometimes the Shul can be like a Moose Lodge. Men gather and talk about work, vacations, family and other stuff. Every now and then someone prays. Womens role in prayer and the community is a needed discussion. I think that many men need to look at why they go to the Moose Lodge. It is about connecting to G-d and less about weekday activities. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-61269456239903216482014-12-22T16:05:48.050+02:002014-12-22T16:05:48.050+02:00I had the happy, and I now understand rare, experi...I had the happy, and I now understand rare, experience of coming to my Judaism in a mostly Baalei Teshuva Modern Orthodox shul in the midwest. Our sanctuary was divided down the middle by a mechitza that was 3 feet of wood under 3 feet of clear plexiglass. The women on the left could look over at their husbands on the right. The Bimah and Ahron were in the front, in clear sight of all. Both men and women were officers on the board, and both filled all positions, including president. On Simchat Torah we danced in the gym, men's and women's sections divided by folding tables, for the ease of passing Torahs between the two sides. When the community davened it was entered into by all, it was wonderful. We all knew we were standing before HaShem together. Have not had anything like that since making Aliyah. I went to a High Holiday service last year where the women were afforded a tiny space at the back of the room behind the men (their backs were to us) with a ceiling high wood mechitza so we couldn't see anything at all. Why why why! I find myself angered when I enter a community where the little boys are dressed in shorts and short sleeve shirts, but little girls the same ages are covered neck to toes.. not matter that it's 98 degrees outside. I find myself angered that the man coming to my door to ask for charity won't even look at me. I rarely attend shul here in Israel. But I talk to HaShem all the time. My faith/relationship in HaShem isn't any different. But I am sad that the men who lead our faith are so lost in understanding what HaShem wants from all of us. RivkaSarithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12614849107034722392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-43422406675003536292014-12-22T12:02:25.418+02:002014-12-22T12:02:25.418+02:00Ruti, like Sandra said, "I am in your camp&qu...Ruti, like Sandra said, "I am in your camp" but with one or two toes in Rivkah's. I do not have as many years of growing up in shuls as the two of you, so my experiences are a little different. When my hubby was alive, and on the rare instances he was able to attend a service, I felt a tremendous sense of pride in him and of how far we had come in our journey. And if he got an aliyah I felt like most Jewish mothers (I assume), if their sons were called to Torah. Look how far we had come. The same thing happened when my oldest grandson became Bar Mitzvah, I could not stop crying for all the joy it brought. In all these examples, it was by THEIR experiences, not mine, that I lived vicariously and enjoyed a blessing. Well my hubby is no longer here, my grandchildren are grown and raising their own families, I rarely get a chance to kvell in shul on their behalf. So now, what am I left with? A large massive void! Not in my feelings toward G-d, nor in my spirituality. But something is missing!<br />I attend shul now almost every Shabbat and like you, I feel like I am in the men's club.Women chitter away and if I really try very hard I can almost tune them out, but not very well. I come away mostly annoyed by the seemingly disrespect for the Holy. But I have finally realized why this might be so. For the VERY reasons you and Rivkah so carefully uttered. There is something greatly missing for the female experience, and our expression of devotion in our uniquely feminine needs. Do I want to be obligated in all the ways men are---no! But I am currently exploring what I can do to make my personal experience more meaningful. So I am on another journey and it looks like I have lots of company. miryam heiliczerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01172033199299190451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5401506216498534131.post-6915050498937932322014-12-22T10:54:45.972+02:002014-12-22T10:54:45.972+02:00Ruti, I am in your camp. I was taught that the m...Ruti, I am in your camp. I was taught that the men need those rituals and physical items (i.e .Torah scrolls etc. ) to connect in a greater way. They need the structure and kavode. Women have binah ; they don't. We have a spirituality built into us that we can access without the physical items beforementioned. I believe this in my kishkas, but, there are others, like Rivka who need to find other outlets for her needs. I suppose like a woman's Minyan (not a criticism at all) . I respect her desire and need for something else;I just don't have it at all. sandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15053638116057144253noreply@blogger.com