A Heart as Big as the World: Tribute to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, ztz"l

There are so many Jews who would not have come, or returned, to Judaism if not for Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, or “Reb Zalman” as he was affectionately called, who passed away on July 3,2014, at the age of 89.  Known as the Father of Jewish Renewal, he served as guide, mentor, and teacher to thousands of people seeking meaning and relevance in their Judaism. Hundreds of people from all across the United States, representing a wide spectrum of religions and spiritual institutions, gathered at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, August 17, 2014 for what had been planned months earlier as a 90^th birthday celebration, but instead became a moving, ecumenical ceremony and celebration that elicited laughter as well as tears.  

Before the actual Sunday program began, photos from Reb Zalman’s archives, housed at the University of Colorado, were projected onto a huge screen, showing him at key moments of his life, including a close-up of him and the Dalai Lama smiling into each other’s eyes.  The sound track of Reb Zalman chanting niggunim - Hassidic wordless melodies - accompanied the slides.

Those who spoke and offered reminiscences and blessings included Rabbi Tirzah Firestone as MC of the memorial program, Father Mathew Fox, Founder of the Creation Spirituality Movement; Jeremy Parnes, representing ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Charles Lief, President of Naropa University; Rabbi Art Green, Rector of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College; Murshid Ottinger, Senior Dervish of the Sufi Ruhaniat International, and other distinguished leaders, musicians, and academics. Reb Zalman’s wife, Eve Ilsen, a personal friend of this writer since college, sang a very loving tribute to her beloved husband, entitled “Here’s to Life” by Artie Butler, which brought everyone to tears and a standing ovation. 

A video clip of Reb Zalman’s address at the Roundtable Dialogue with Nobel Laureates in Vancouver, Canada in 2004 on “The Emerging Cosmology” showed him at his most brilliant and yet accessible, bringing in references from philosophers and scientists, and, in his typical humorous way, also using images that would speak to computer geeks and Trekkies.

An empty chair draped with Reb Zalman’s signature “rainbow tallit” was illuminated on the stage throughout the program. In addition to stories about Reb Zalman’s huge contributions over more than fifty years both in developing what has become the Jewish Renewal Movement as well as building bridges with people of other faiths through Deep Ecumenism, there were other modes of expressing tribute:  Singing a Gnostic Gospel by Hazzan Richard Kaplan, a Toglen Mieditation, and a closing ecumenical Zhikr in Hebrew and Arabic for peace.  His oft-repeated quote, “The only way for us to get together…. Is TOGETHER,” was finished by the strong response of the audience.

Reb Zalman leaves a legacy in his writings, teachings, recordings, and in the empowerment of rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors, maggidim – holy storytellers – and other designations to acknowledge specific talents and levels of learning. His warm voice comes through his many books, which aim to bring people closer to prayer, devotion, and heart-connection with traditional sources. He introduced Hassidic stories in his "Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of The Hasidic Masters" and himself taught through stories, traditional and personal.  He coined the phrase “Davvenology” – understanding the technology of prayer -  through such books as” The Gates of Prayer,” and “Gates to the Heart,” and offered works that were easily accessible by someone just starting on the path to Jewish knowledge, such as “Jewish With Feeling,” “Paradigm Shift,”  and many prayers reworked into contemporary English, including recordings of a traditional prayer service chanted in English.  His huge body of work includes volumes in Hebrew and English for the advanced student and rabbinical leader, such as “The Geologist of the Soul: Talks on Rebbe-craft and Spiritual Leadership,” “Spiritual Intimacy,”  “All Breathing Life Adores Your Name,” a volume of poetry and prayer, and his own translations of Psalms, to name just a few.  His work on Eldering led to his writing “From Age-ing to Sage-ing” and, more recently, “The December Project.” 

Rabbis, cantors, and former students of Reb Zalman had gathered for the preceding Shabbat to tell stories of how Reb Zalman had impacted their lives.  Among the group were two local rabbis from Northern Arizona who owe so much to the inspirational teachings of Reb Zalman: Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, of Ruach Hamidbar – Spirit of the Desert – who received Smicha (rabbinical ordination)  from Reb Zalman in 1987, and Rabbi Alicia Magal, of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, who received Smicha in 2003 from the ALEPH Renewal Rabbinic Program as well as from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, California. 

Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, a student of Reb Zalman since the mid 70's has been videotaping him and Jewish Renewal events for over 30 years. She is currently working on a documentary on the impact of Reb Zalman and Jewish renewal on mainstream Judaism and other traditions. Some of her videos can be viewed on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jewishrenewal

"It was my good fortune and to have met Reb Zalman at a major turning point in my life. When I came out of the yeshiva world in Jerusalem I was seeking a way to serve G!d in holy and meaningful ways. Reb Zalman was the first Rebbe that looked into my soul and saw my potential.   He was the first Chassidic Rebbe to give smicha to women and he felt that it was a tikun/fixing that needed to be done in this generation. 

Reb Zalman said: "When the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson was asked about the role of a Rebbe, he said that a Rebbe is like a geologist of the soul. There are so many treasures in the earth. There is gold, there is silver, and there are diamonds. But if you don't know where to dig, you will only find dirt and rocks and mud. The Rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig, but the digging must do yourself." Thank you Reb Zalman for teaching me where to dig."

I [Rabbi Magal] spent time at Reb Zalman and Eve's home over the past decades, for Shabbat, Passover, or just visits, and each time felt inspired by his deep knowledge, expansive warmth, caring, and humor.  He had a gift for making each person feel personally seen and appreciated for his or her unique gifts.  He empowered each of us to bring our light and joy to those we taught and touched.  Part of my rabbinic mission and vision is “Ivdu et Hashem b’simcha.”  Serve God with joy” from Psalm 100.  Reb Zalman nurtured that joy and encouraged my teaching, my wearing flowers in my hair, and my bringing expressive dance and movement to my rabbinate.

Reb Zalman had “A Heart as Big as the World” and we pray that his legacy lives on, continuing to empower people to deepen their study and prayer within Judaism, and to work for compassionate social action in the world among all peoples.

  A Heart as Big as the World: Tribute to Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, ztz"l

There are so many Jews who would not have come, or returned, to Judaism if not for Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, or “Reb Zalman” as he was affectionately called, who passed away on July 3,2014, at the age of 89.  Known as the Father of Jewish Renewal, he served as guide, mentor, and teacher to thousands of people seeking meaning and relevance in their Judaism. Hundreds of people from all across the United States, representing a wide spectrum of religions and spiritual institutions, gathered at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday, August 17, 2014 for what had been planned months earlier as a 90^th birthday celebration, but instead became a moving, ecumenical ceremony and celebration that elicited laughter as well as tears.  

Before the actual Sunday program began, photos from Reb Zalman’s archives, housed at the University of Colorado, were projected onto a huge screen, showing him at key moments of his life, including a close-up of him and the Dalai Lama smiling into each other’s eyes.  The sound track of Reb Zalman chanting niggunim - Hassidic wordless melodies - accompanied the slides.

Those who spoke and offered reminiscences and blessings included Rabbi Tirzah Firestone as MC of the memorial program, Father Mathew Fox, Founder of the Creation Spirituality Movement; Jeremy Parnes, representing ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Charles Lief, President of Naropa University; Rabbi Art Green, Rector of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College; Murshid Ottinger, Senior Dervish of the Sufi Ruhaniat International, and other distinguished leaders, musicians, and academics. Reb Zalman’s wife, Eve Ilsen, a personal friend of this writer since college, sang a very loving tribute to her beloved husband, entitled “Here’s to Life” by Artie Butler, which brought everyone to tears and a standing ovation. 

A video clip of Reb Zalman’s address at the Roundtable Dialogue with Nobel Laureates in Vancouver, Canada in 2004 on “The Emerging Cosmology” showed him at his most brilliant and yet accessible, bringing in references from philosophers and scientists, and, in his typical humorous way, also using images that would speak to computer geeks and Trekkies.

An empty chair draped with Reb Zalman’s signature “rainbow tallit” was illuminated on the stage throughout the program. In addition to stories about Reb Zalman’s huge contributions over more than fifty years both in developing what has become the Jewish Renewal Movement as well as building bridges with people of other faiths through Deep Ecumenism, there were other modes of expressing tribute:  Singing a Gnostic Gospel by Hazzan Richard Kaplan, a Toglen Mieditation, and a closing ecumenical Zhikr in Hebrew and Arabic for peace.  His oft-repeated quote, “The only way for us to get together…. Is TOGETHER,” was finished by the strong response of the audience.

Reb Zalman leaves a legacy in his writings, teachings, recordings, and in the empowerment of rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors, maggidim – holy storytellers – and other designations to acknowledge specific talents and levels of learning. His warm voice comes through his many books, which aim to bring people closer to prayer, devotion, and heart-connection with traditional sources. He introduced Hassidic stories in his "Wrapped in a Holy Flame: Teachings and Tales of The Hasidic Masters" and himself taught through stories, traditional and personal.  He coined the phrase “Davvenology” – understanding the technology of prayer -  through such books as” The Gates of Prayer,” and “Gates to the Heart,” and offered works that were easily accessible by someone just starting on the path to Jewish knowledge, such as “Jewish With Feeling,” “Paradigm Shift,”  and many prayers reworked into contemporary English, including recordings of a traditional prayer service chanted in English.  His huge body of work includes volumes in Hebrew and English for the advanced student and rabbinical leader, such as “The Geologist of the Soul: Talks on Rebbe-craft and Spiritual Leadership,” “Spiritual Intimacy,”  “All Breathing Life Adores Your Name,” a volume of poetry and prayer, and his own translations of Psalms, to name just a few.  His work on Eldering led to his writing “From Age-ing to Sage-ing” and, more recently, “The December Project.” 

Rabbis, cantors, and former students of Reb Zalman had gathered for the preceding Shabbat to tell stories of how Reb Zalman had impacted their lives.  Among the group were two local rabbis from Northern Arizona who owe so much to the inspirational teachings of Reb Zalman: Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, of Ruach Hamidbar – Spirit of the Desert – who received Smicha (rabbinical ordination)  from Reb Zalman in 1987, and Rabbi Alicia Magal, of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, who received Smicha in 2003 from the ALEPH Renewal Rabbinic Program as well as from the Academy for Jewish Religion in Los Angeles, California. 

Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein, a student of Reb Zalman since the mid 70's has been videotaping him and Jewish Renewal events for over 30 years. She is currently working on a documentary on the impact of Reb Zalman and Jewish renewal on mainstream Judaism and other traditions. Some of her videos can be viewed on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jewishrenewal

"It was my good fortune and to have met Reb Zalman at a major turning point in my life. When I came out of the yeshiva world in Jerusalem I was seeking a way to serve G!d in holy and meaningful ways. Reb Zalman was the first Rebbe that looked into my soul and saw my potential.   He was the first Chassidic Rebbe to give smicha to women and he felt that it was a tikun/fixing that needed to be done in this generation. 

Reb Zalman said: "When the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson was asked about the role of a Rebbe, he said that a Rebbe is like a geologist of the soul. There are so many treasures in the earth. There is gold, there is silver, and there are diamonds. But if you don't know where to dig, you will only find dirt and rocks and mud. The Rebbe can tell you where to dig, and what to dig, but the digging must do yourself." Thank you Reb Zalman for teaching me where to dig."

I [Rabbi Magal] spent time at Reb Zalman and Eve's home over the past decades, for Shabbat, Passover, or just visits, and each time felt inspired by his deep knowledge, expansive warmth, caring, and humor.  He had a gift for making each person feel personally seen and appreciated for his or her unique gifts.  He empowered each of us to bring our light and joy to those we taught and touched.  Part of my rabbinic mission and vision is “Ivdu et Hashem b’simcha.”  Serve God with joy” from Psalm 100.  Reb Zalman nurtured that joy and encouraged my teaching, my wearing flowers in my hair, and my bringing expressive dance and movement to my rabbinate.

Reb Zalman had “A Heart as Big as the World” and we pray that his legacy lives on, continuing to empower people to deepen their study and prayer within Judaism, and to work for compassionate social action in the world among all peoples.

  

Photo by Rabbi Sarah Leah Grafstein

Commentary on Torah portion Ekev

Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25

printed in the Arizona Jewish News August 15, 2014

“In the Footsteps of…” 

Every year when I meet again this rich narrative, a continuation of the second of Moses' three farewell talks to Israel before his death, I delight in the poetic words of promise and continuity.  Yet, It is so hard for me this week to write of the Torah portion Ekev, while listening to the news of Operation Tzok Eitan – Operation Protective Edge – in Israel, as yet another shaky ceasefire is about to go into effect.

Ekev can mean “on the heels of,” “following,”  “because of,” “as a result of,” or even “in the footsteps of.”  Moses speaks to the young generation about to enter the Promised Land about all that happened to Israel in their forty years of wandering in the wilderness.  They must remember the Torah teachings given at Mt. Sinai, and must adhere to faith in One God. If they do, it will follow that they will maintain the covenant and enjoy good health, abundant produce from the land, fertility among their people, flocks, and assurance of overcoming enemies.  What does God require of Israel for all of His generosity?  Only that they love and serve God and live by the commandments revealed to them (Deut. 10:12).

 Last week in Ve-etchanan we heard a repetition of the Shema and the beginning of the Ve’ahavta prayer. This week’s portion includes Vehaya im shamoa, the second paragraph following Ve’ahavta in our prayer service, telling of the connection between moral, ethical, treatment of people and the environment with the result of abundant rain and crops (Deuteronomy 11: 13-21).   Moses warns (Deut. 8:10) that we shouldn’t take this gift of fruitful crops for granted and take personal credit for successful harvests, but rather must remain as grateful for the miracle of growth of our food as we were for receiving the Manna in the desert. Thus, at our tables we are to say a blessing, not only before we eat, but after we are sated, in what developed into the Birkat Hamazon, the grace after a meal.

 But this year, as we reach Ekev, I want to cry out, “It isn’t fair!” Our people have tried to keep the commandments and settle the Land of Israel, developing a flourishing, democratic society, not perfect, but filled with miraculous growth, an ingathering of the exiles, with incredible advances in agriculture.  And still, we are attacked by enemies.  Should we blame ourselves and say we have not been moral enough?  We haven’t kept our covenant strongly enough? Is there another  people that examines its own actions in a conflict instead of only vilifying the "other" and that tries to avoid causing damage and death?  Our enemies press us with rocket fire, and world opinion condemns Israel for retaliating forcefully causing unfortunate loss of life.  We wish for peace, and to enjoy the Land of Milk and Honey, sharing its bounty in gratitude with all inhabitants. 

There are layers of meaning and lessons to draw from each week’s Torah reading and the commentaries from the sages. The Torah also lives within us; its messages and teachings are intertwined with current events and challenges we face personally and as a people in the outside world.   So this week, my pain and dismay at the suffering caused by war are somewhat offset by the miracles that have abounded,  showing the Hand of God,  despite the continual red alerts and shut down of normal daily life in the Southern part of Israel.  Dan Gordon, Captain in the IDF reserves, and a JCSVV member, reported incredible stories from the border with Gaza, some of which were printed in this paper and in its online guest blog section. We so deeply aim to build, not destroy; to fulfill the promise of Ekev. 

We pray that we may walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, reaping the rewards for attempting, through many avenues, to keep the commandments, and sensing hope and faith during these Seven Weeks of Consolation leading up to the time of repentance, repair, and renewal in the Jewish New Year. 

Miracles of Medicine

Just because these days cataracts surgery is considered routine doesn't make it any less miraculous. This morning the lens of my right eye was removed and a corrective clear lens was implanted in its place. I am told and assured that in a few weeks when the left eye is surgically corrected I will have nearly perfect vision without glasses or contact lenses. I provided for my surgeon, Dr. McGarey, a copy of the Physician's Prayer attributed to Maimonides.

Contemporary adaptation for use by doctors before

serious surgery

Holy One, Source of all healing, You have chosen me

to watch over the life and health of my patients. I am

now about to perform surgery, entering the sacred

temple of the body. May You guide me to use my skill,

learning, experience, and intuition to achieve the best

possible outcome. Illumine my mind so that I

recognize what presents itself and comprehend what may

be absent or hidden. May I, with the support of my

capable team, stay focused and attentive during the

entire procedure in order to preserve the life and health

of my patient.

Grant that my patient have confidence in me and my art

and follow my directions and my counsel. I pray for a

healing of body and spirit for my patient. I now begin

the holy task entrusted to me. –Amen.

For all those other seemingly routine medical miracles like knee surgery, hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, cancer treatments, and other healing modalities available to us through the knowledge and expertise of physicians we should be extremely grateful. Perhaps you would like to offer this pre-surgery prayer to a doctor you know who would appreciate the guidance and deepened kavannah "intention" provided.

Sending blessings for healing to all my friends and readers.

Rabbi Alicia

Silent Rabbi

New experience.  After returning from a very inspiring college reunion at Sarah Lawrence College, in Bronxville, NY, and visiting our daughter Tali in Brooklyn, I totally lost my voice, due to the changes in temperature and strong air conditioning in the plane and shuttle.  So... what to do?

I planned a Friday night service at our synagogue in Sedona, and gave out parts to sing, chant, read, and lead.  I played the guitar and smiled, but said not one word.  The service went along well, with the congregants smiling at the novelty of their rabbi remaining silent.  When it came to the blessings for the people who had the honor of coming up to the Torah, I so wanted to offer them a true blessing, but absolutely could not utter a sound.... so I mimed bringing down blessings flowing from heaven, pouring into the scroll of the Torah, and then carried them these blessings over to the couple and let the blessing flow over them.  Somehow they understood and accepted my gesture and did feel blessed!  A one-of -a kind service, for sure!  The heart communicates even if the mouth cannot.

Purim fun at the synagogue

Hubbetzin Itzhak and Rabbi Alicia Magal at Purim celebration

Rabbi reading from Megillat Esther

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Ceremonial Vestments, for Protection and Atonement

 

Tetzaveh, Exodus 27:20 – 30:10, begins with God speaking to Moses: “You shall instruct the Israelites…” and there follow many directives, such as to bring pure olive oil for lighting the Menorah inside the Tabernacle, and to provide very particular articles of ceremonial clothing for Aaron and his sons who are to serve as the Cohanim, priests, for the Israelites.

 This was the Torah portion of our now-grown son Amir, who can still chant by heart the opening verses of the portion he learned: “V’Asu et ha-ephod…”  “And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen…”  There were so many details of how to craft, weave, and decorate the Cohen Gadol’s ceremonial outfit!  In order for him to understand this Torah portion we studied together the details of the High Priest’s clothing from materials I had gathered when I had served as Museum Educator at the Skirball Museum in Los Angeles.  He drew his version of how the High Priest might have looked, wearing the breastplate (hoshen) with precious stones representing the twelve tribes, linen pinafore (ephod), a robe (me’il) with golden bells and pomegranate tassels on the hem, a fringed tunic (ketonet tashbetz), a headdress or turban (mitznefet) and golden forehead band (tzitz) with the words “kadosh l’Adonai”– Holy to God -  engraved on it, a sash (“avnet”), and pants (michnasayim).

 

He understood that the very special dress of the High Priest symbolized the Cohen Gadol’s spiritual role and revered status.  Amir inserted his drawing, along with readings, poems, and other original illustrations into the siddur booklet we edited as a family.

 

Through the years, on the anniversary of Amir’s Bar Mitzvah, I look for additional meanings in this portion, which I have come to realize contains more than a mere listing of beautifully crafted robes; there are additional layers of symbolism attached to each article of the Cohen Gadol’s vestments. According to the Talmud, (B. Zevachim 88b), with commentary by Rashi (Commentary on the Babylonian Talmud, 28:35; derived from Zevachim 17b and Sanhedrin 83a.) and Maimonides (Laws of the Sanctuary Vessels 10:4), the wearing of the priestly robe atoned for the sin of evil speech on the part of B’nai Israel. Each piece of clothing offered a kind of protection to the priest and perhaps also served as a reminder for the people of the dangers of sinning.

 

A brief summary of each priestly garment and what sin it protects from: the sash is meant to protect from sins of the heart; the breastplate from faulty judgment; the robe with bells that tinkle as the priest walks protect from sins of lashon ha-ra, evil speech; the headdress and forehead band atone for arrogance, insolence, and audacity or ego; the tunic guards against bloodshed; the ephod against idol worship, and the pants from immorality. 

 

We no longer have a High Priest, but there seems to me to be a certain hint of that awe with which we beheld the High Priest, in the respect we show to the Torah scroll as it is walked through the congregation, with its mantle, binder (sash), breastplate, crowns, and bells. The Torah encompasses the authority of the Word of God passed down to us through the generations, and holds a remnant of the beauty, repository of knowledge, and power that resided with the Divinely appointed Cohen Gadol of our ancient tradition.

 

 

Rabbi Alicia Magal serves as spiritual leader of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley.