Ma Hadash Blog from CSH

At the Hadar learning intensive, I participated in a daily group study track entitled “G-d and Chosenness.” Key questions broached at the outset were: what does it mean for us as a Jewish people to choose G-d? What does it mean to be a chosen people by G-d?

Through the inclusive and dynamic facilitation of our instructors Rabbis Elie Kaunfer and Avi Strausberg, we carefully examined and discussed multiple texts, reflecting on both the beauty and the problematic nature of being chosen to be in a relationship with G-d. We also explored what it means to each of us personally to choose a relationship with G-d. We considered the (not necessarily linear or fixed) relationship stages of choosing, searching, and loving and then thought about where we saw ourselves across this spectrum.

Each of us was paired with a chevrutah (study partner) to discuss the texts and guiding questions together. These conversations were especially valuable in helping me reflect on the choices I make in my life to further my relationship with Judaism and the divine: setting aside holy time to prepare for holidays (personal reflection, meal preparation, organizing and convening family gatherings), doing t’shuvah, welcoming guests, caring for the sick, making space and time to emotionally support my husband, children, parents and extended family, and regularly acting to fulfill tikkun olam.

I decided to attend the learning intensive because I am in a season of choosing to expand this holy relationship, in an effort to try to grasp the nature of the divine in a way that is meaningful to me. I’ve been doing this primarily through studying Torah and engaging in other Jewish adult learning both with Hadar and at Shir Hadash.

At the Hadar intensive, I learned a beautiful thing about our tradition, reinforced by the Institute’s culture of learning. We are each invited to bring our full selves to the study of Torah. We have an obligation to engage, to speak, raise questions and discuss what it means to us – as the blessing we recite before studying Torah states, to “immerse ourselves in the words.”

On the last day, we were introduced to an inspiring text by R. Shlomo Walbe about bringing the value of our unique selves to this engagement: “...it is specifically in a human being’s uniqueness that their particular avodah is found, to find his unique place in Torah, to bring into actuality the particular light of Torah that illuminates when someone penetrates the depth of their own uniqueness…and through it approaches his service.”

With the help of learning opportunities at Shir Hadash and the wisdom of the lessons offered by Hadar, I look forward to working towards greater illumination and avodah.