Comments on: Earth and Whole Stones http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/ Sources for the Jewish Social Action Community Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:27:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6-beta1 By: Rachel Barenblat http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/#comment-44 Rachel Barenblat Sun, 19 Feb 2006 00:04:29 +0000 http://www.radicaltorah.org/?p=37#comment-44 Thank you all for the kind words. Regina, I am inspired by your learning Torah every day. What a blessing! Chris, I look forward to your post later this week relating to the matter of altar and vestments -- sounds like good stuff. Reb Goldie, a thousand thankyous. Andrew, I humbly protest; my knowledge of Torah is scant compared with many of this site's contributors! But I appreciate the heart behind your words nonetheless, and look forward to your contribution(s) someday! Ross -- I am so glad that this site in general, and this post in particular, are able to help you navigate a relationship with the idea of sacrifice in a way that's resonant for you. I wish you joy on your journey, wherever the endpoint may be. Thank you all for the kind words.

Regina, I am inspired by your learning Torah every day. What a blessing!

Chris, I look forward to your post later this week relating to the matter of altar and vestments — sounds like good stuff.

Reb Goldie, a thousand thankyous.

Andrew, I humbly protest; my knowledge of Torah is scant compared with many of this site’s contributors! But I appreciate the heart behind your words nonetheless, and look forward to your contribution(s) someday!

Ross — I am so glad that this site in general, and this post in particular, are able to help you navigate a relationship with the idea of sacrifice in a way that’s resonant for you. I wish you joy on your journey, wherever the endpoint may be.

]]> By: Ross http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/#comment-42 Ross Fri, 17 Feb 2006 15:14:05 +0000 http://www.radicaltorah.org/?p=37#comment-42 As a gentile who's found himself deeply invested in Orthodox Judaism, and has been seriously contemplating conversion to Orthodox Judaism, it has been important for me to find ways to fit my already strongly-entrenched morality with Judaism (because I could never follow a G-d who would proscribe objectionable actions), and this site has helped a lot, since I hold strong pacifist, vegan and anti-state views. This site really helps me see how all of those things that I hold so dear to me are already present in Judaism. This article itself was a brilliant piece of learning for me - putting both the system of sacrifice and meaningful worship of G-d into a pacifist (and vegan) context for me. Thanks, Rach. As a gentile who’s found himself deeply invested in Orthodox Judaism, and has been seriously contemplating conversion to Orthodox Judaism, it has been important for me to find ways to fit my already strongly-entrenched morality with Judaism (because I could never follow a G-d who would proscribe objectionable actions), and this site has helped a lot, since I hold strong pacifist, vegan and anti-state views. This site really helps me see how all of those things that I hold so dear to me are already present in Judaism. This article itself was a brilliant piece of learning for me - putting both the system of sacrifice and meaningful worship of G-d into a pacifist (and vegan) context for me. Thanks, Rach.

]]> By: Andrew Schamess http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/#comment-39 Andrew Schamess Fri, 17 Feb 2006 11:26:15 +0000 http://www.radicaltorah.org/?p=37#comment-39 What a lovely explication - as always, Rachel. Your insight into the human spirit is as great as your knowledge of Torah. <blockquote>One line of traditional commentary interprets the "altar of earth" to mean the land of Israel.</blockquote> How interesting - reading the passage earlier, I was struck by the next line, which seems to say just the opposite: <blockquote>In every place where I'll have my name commemorated, I'll come to you, and I'll bless you.</blockquote> <i>"In every place"</i> - wherever God is worshiped. What a lovely explication - as always, Rachel. Your insight into the human spirit is as great as your knowledge of Torah.

One line of traditional commentary interprets the “altar of earth” to mean the land of Israel.

How interesting - reading the passage earlier, I was struck by the next line, which seems to say just the opposite:

In every place where I’ll have my name commemorated, I’ll come to you, and I’ll bless you.

“In every place” - wherever God is worshiped.

]]> By: Rabbi Goldie Milgram http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/#comment-34 Rabbi Goldie Milgram Thu, 16 Feb 2006 02:59:10 +0000 http://www.radicaltorah.org/?p=37#comment-34 There's so much to be reclaimed that's meaning in the sacrificial system and Rachel does so without spilling even a drop of blood. Beautifully done. There’s so much to be reclaimed that’s meaning in the sacrificial system and Rachel does so without spilling even a drop of blood. Beautifully done.

]]> By: Chris T. http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/#comment-30 Chris T. Tue, 14 Feb 2006 20:47:20 +0000 http://www.radicaltorah.org/?p=37#comment-30 Great post. I especially like the insights about the altar, which are giving me food for thought in my own reflections on vestments. Expect a post later this week. ;-) Great post. I especially like the insights about the altar, which are giving me food for thought in my own reflections on vestments. Expect a post later this week. ;-)

]]> By: Regina Clare Jane http://www.radicaltorah.org/2006/02/14/37/earth-and-whole-stones/#comment-28 Regina Clare Jane Tue, 14 Feb 2006 20:16:46 +0000 http://www.radicaltorah.org/?p=37#comment-28 Rachel, a very powerful and enlightening post indeed. As I am learning Torah every day, I so appreciate the words of those more learned than I. It brings Torah alive for me and connects me to it- like the alters of stone and earth that connect us to G-d. Rachel, a very powerful and enlightening post indeed. As I am learning Torah every day, I so appreciate the words of those more learned than I. It brings Torah alive for me and connects me to it- like the alters of stone and earth that connect us to G-d.

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