Some Words of Torah
By: Ariel Vegosen
Sheva Fellow 2007 and BCI Alum 2000
I have always loved the idea of carrying in one pocket a piece of paper that says “the world was created for me” and another that says “I am nothing but dust.” It reminds me that the universe is divine, always moving in mysterious ways that match up perfectly and just when you think life is ironic and makes no sense, it turns out it was all planned.
Some things in the Torah are painful and difficult to understand, like why an all-knowing, merciful loving G-d would send ten plagues to the Egyptians in order to free us from slavery. Wasn’t there another more peaceful way? Couldn’t G-d - this all powerful being - non-violently end slavery? Wouldn’t that have been a better example? Just think, maybe then we wouldn’t have check points and curfews in the holy land.
I also struggle with the Torah concept of “Tumah” and “Taharah,” meaning impurity and purity. I don’t understand why in last weeks Torah portion it is stated that a woman on her period is considered “Tumah,” as in impure. Or why it says a man shall not lay with another man the same why he lies with a woman. Perhaps its not that I don’t understand these words so much as I don’t understand people’s interpretation of these words. And since G-d is all knowing, when writing this book G-d must have thought, people are really going to mess this up and create a world of hatred. As humans we have the power to read these purity laws and create a homophobic, sexist world and right now it seems to me that is what has happened. People are using this passage as part of religion to say that being anything other than straight is wrong. Also, people use this passage to exclude women from certain rituals when she is bleeding.
I have different interpretations for both:
Of course if a man lies with another man, that’s different from when a man lies with a woman. Different is not wrong, different can be beautiful and great. And anyway this portion doesn’t even mention women being with women. So my interpretation is when you are with someone that experience should be unique and beautiful to that moment. Homosexual love is acceptable and beautiful and should be acted on in a different way from straight love. And should be honored for its differences. As in the world should recognize and embrace queer culture and not expect it to look like straight culture.
My interpretation of a woman being Tumah on her period or after child birth is that there are secret special rituals for us women and because often times our stories have been written out of the Torah, we need to dig deeper and discover what these ancient rituals are. Women are not unclean or impure, we are Tumah. Which to me means the world should honor the gift of life and strength given to us and not put fear into our hearts around who we are. There are enough stories out there to convince a woman that periods are gross or disturbing, we need more stories that embrace our blood and our power. I know that an all knowing G-d would not create a world of fear, homophobia, and sexism. What would be the point of that? How would that be good?
The G-d I believe in, left the Torah to us for our interpretation. As it is said, “it is not in heaven” but here on earth we must decide. And for whatever reason people have interpreted this beautiful book in hurtful ways. I choose otherwise and I am encouraging you to do the same. To step out of the box, take a closer look, a closer read, and decide for yourself your own interpretation.
For example, why is it that Aaron’s sons have to pay the price of death for getting too close to G-d? I realize they did not follow the proper ritual laid out, but is death really a fair reaction to such a trespassing? Perhaps another way to look at their death is that it symbolizes transformation. The Torah spends a lot of time going over the sacrifice rituals and describing purity and impurity in people. It is ironic that Aaron’s sons died for doing a ritual to get closer to G-d, when today ritual is lacking in so many people’s lives, yet people long to be closer to G-d. I’d like to imagine that it is a great idea to practice ancient rituals and create new ones in an effort to get closer to G-d, myself, my friends, my family, my community, humankind, and all of nature. The symbolism of their death could be a transformation away from the slaughtering of animals and away from this idea that only certain people, the priests can do rituals. I think with the temple gone, we have the unique ability to create our own rituals with our own meanings.
This world was created, the Torah was written and now we get to create for ourselves how we want it to be. We get to decide our emotions, how we structure society, how our lives play out. We have power, infinite power to create whatever we want and need. Some times I see people getting stuck. They believe they have to work a certain job, stay in a town they don’t love, stick with a partner that doesn’t suit them, the list goes on and on…when really all we have to do is break the chains we have created around ourselves to be free. The only limitations that exist are the ones that we create. I, along with you, have the power to choose. All of our dreams can be destiny. And when you shine your light out into this world and when you believe, the universe responds accordingly, after all it was created for you. And when you forget to be humble and you get too greedy the universe reminds you that you are nothing but dust.
If someone asked me to convert them standing on one foot as was asked of Hillel. I would say you get to choose how you want to live your life. You are in control of your emotions and your destiny. It might appear that society has already been created, but you have the power to change it. Torah is constantly being interpreted to match whatever the reader wants to read. May you find peace, love, happiness, kindness, compassion, and do onto others as they want done to them. May you live your life well and may you decide what well means to you. The world is open to interpretation; choose your path and your blessings. I hope you enjoy.
And if you don’t, that’s your choice.
Much love and many blessings, shinning soul light on this desert world and out into the universe… Ariel Vegosen
By: Ariel Vegosen
Sheva Fellow 2007 and BCI Alum 2000
I have always loved the idea of carrying in one pocket a piece of paper that says “the world was created for me” and another that says “I am nothing but dust.” It reminds me that the universe is divine, always moving in mysterious ways that match up perfectly and just when you think life is ironic and makes no sense, it turns out it was all planned.
Some things in the Torah are painful and difficult to understand, like why an all-knowing, merciful loving G-d would send ten plagues to the Egyptians in order to free us from slavery. Wasn’t there another more peaceful way? Couldn’t G-d - this all powerful being - non-violently end slavery? Wouldn’t that have been a better example? Just think, maybe then we wouldn’t have check points and curfews in the holy land.
I also struggle with the Torah concept of “Tumah” and “Taharah,” meaning impurity and purity. I don’t understand why in last weeks Torah portion it is stated that a woman on her period is considered “Tumah,” as in impure. Or why it says a man shall not lay with another man the same why he lies with a woman. Perhaps its not that I don’t understand these words so much as I don’t understand people’s interpretation of these words. And since G-d is all knowing, when writing this book G-d must have thought, people are really going to mess this up and create a world of hatred. As humans we have the power to read these purity laws and create a homophobic, sexist world and right now it seems to me that is what has happened. People are using this passage as part of religion to say that being anything other than straight is wrong. Also, people use this passage to exclude women from certain rituals when she is bleeding.
I have different interpretations for both:
Of course if a man lies with another man, that’s different from when a man lies with a woman. Different is not wrong, different can be beautiful and great. And anyway this portion doesn’t even mention women being with women. So my interpretation is when you are with someone that experience should be unique and beautiful to that moment. Homosexual love is acceptable and beautiful and should be acted on in a different way from straight love. And should be honored for its differences. As in the world should recognize and embrace queer culture and not expect it to look like straight culture.
My interpretation of a woman being Tumah on her period or after child birth is that there are secret special rituals for us women and because often times our stories have been written out of the Torah, we need to dig deeper and discover what these ancient rituals are. Women are not unclean or impure, we are Tumah. Which to me means the world should honor the gift of life and strength given to us and not put fear into our hearts around who we are. There are enough stories out there to convince a woman that periods are gross or disturbing, we need more stories that embrace our blood and our power. I know that an all knowing G-d would not create a world of fear, homophobia, and sexism. What would be the point of that? How would that be good?
The G-d I believe in, left the Torah to us for our interpretation. As it is said, “it is not in heaven” but here on earth we must decide. And for whatever reason people have interpreted this beautiful book in hurtful ways. I choose otherwise and I am encouraging you to do the same. To step out of the box, take a closer look, a closer read, and decide for yourself your own interpretation.
For example, why is it that Aaron’s sons have to pay the price of death for getting too close to G-d? I realize they did not follow the proper ritual laid out, but is death really a fair reaction to such a trespassing? Perhaps another way to look at their death is that it symbolizes transformation. The Torah spends a lot of time going over the sacrifice rituals and describing purity and impurity in people. It is ironic that Aaron’s sons died for doing a ritual to get closer to G-d, when today ritual is lacking in so many people’s lives, yet people long to be closer to G-d. I’d like to imagine that it is a great idea to practice ancient rituals and create new ones in an effort to get closer to G-d, myself, my friends, my family, my community, humankind, and all of nature. The symbolism of their death could be a transformation away from the slaughtering of animals and away from this idea that only certain people, the priests can do rituals. I think with the temple gone, we have the unique ability to create our own rituals with our own meanings.
This world was created, the Torah was written and now we get to create for ourselves how we want it to be. We get to decide our emotions, how we structure society, how our lives play out. We have power, infinite power to create whatever we want and need. Some times I see people getting stuck. They believe they have to work a certain job, stay in a town they don’t love, stick with a partner that doesn’t suit them, the list goes on and on…when really all we have to do is break the chains we have created around ourselves to be free. The only limitations that exist are the ones that we create. I, along with you, have the power to choose. All of our dreams can be destiny. And when you shine your light out into this world and when you believe, the universe responds accordingly, after all it was created for you. And when you forget to be humble and you get too greedy the universe reminds you that you are nothing but dust.
If someone asked me to convert them standing on one foot as was asked of Hillel. I would say you get to choose how you want to live your life. You are in control of your emotions and your destiny. It might appear that society has already been created, but you have the power to change it. Torah is constantly being interpreted to match whatever the reader wants to read. May you find peace, love, happiness, kindness, compassion, and do onto others as they want done to them. May you live your life well and may you decide what well means to you. The world is open to interpretation; choose your path and your blessings. I hope you enjoy.
And if you don’t, that’s your choice.
Much love and many blessings, shinning soul light on this desert world and out into the universe… Ariel Vegosen
