Rabbi Deborah Bravo
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The Power of the Five Daughters

7/30/2016

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This week we read from the Torah portion of Pinchas, from the Book of Numbers. I remember 18 years ago, when I was first ordained as a rabbi, this was the portion for the first sermon I gave at my first pulpit in Washington DC. It was incredibly powerful as I was the first female rabbi of that 3000-family congregation in nearly 150 years, let alone the only female clergy or senior staff member at the time.

I was struck by the power of the woman's voice in this portion.  Rarely in our Torah are we given such stories, where the women's voice is as powerful and heard. The essence of the story is that a the daughters of Zelophechad approached Moses and made the case that their father had died, leaving behind only daughters. They requested that they should receive their father's portion in the land of Israel. Moses relays their request to God, and God agrees to their request. Then Moses in instructed of the laws of inheritance.

This was an incredibly unheard of scenario in biblical times. The role of women was barely acknowledged, let alone given equal status. I remember thinking 18 years ago- how b'shert that this was the portion as I began my rabbinate, marking new paths for women rabbis, at least in my congregation. And this is stil the case today.

I imagine many of us have been glued to our tv's for the past 2 weeks, watching the RNC and then the DNC.  There are certainly many nuances to both of these conventions that are different from the past and are compelling us to stay tuned. And regardless of where one's personal politics may lie, there is no question that another glass ceiling has been broken, as a woman was, for the first time in American's 240-year history, nominated to be the candidate of a major party for President. 

One of my favorite interviews from the past two weeks was with a lovely 101-year old woman at the DNC who was born when women did not have the right to vote, and could not believe how far we have come in her life time. She was truly exhilarated by the moment in time. 

Just as in Torah, our history continues to move forward. In biblical days it seemed obvious that 5 daughters should receive their father's inheritance after his death, but no one had ever asked, and so it had never been.  In today's world, there are many examples of "firsts", particularly as it relates to women's role in society. We may think "it is 2016 - a woman can do anything she wants," but sometimes there still needs to be one who is willing to ask, to push, to try. 
 
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bravo

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​Parashat Balak – If Only….

7/22/2016

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This week we read the famous story of King Balak and the Sorcerer Balaam.  Balak just witnessed the Israelite people conquer the neighboring peoples, and he is scared. Responding out of fear, King Balak hires Balaam, a well-known non-Jewish prophet, to come and curse the Jewish people. However, God appeared to Balaam that night and told him not to curse the Israelite people, for they are blessed.  King Balak did not give up so easily.  He once again sends messengers to Balaam, offering many riches in return for curses on the Israelite people. This time, God tells Balaam he can go to the Israelites, but instead of sharing curses, only blessings come out of his mouth. 
 
I have always imagined what it would be like to live in a world where only blessings, only words of kindness or gratitude or praise, would come out of people’s mouths. If only for a year, or a month, or even a day, we could be granted this wish, so that people could realize the power of positive words, and learn the art of blessings in place of curses.
 
Of course, I say “if only” when I witness children being not so nice to other children, bullying them with words, even if not with action.  I also say “if only” when I watch people in day-to-day lives, at the grocery store or on the highway or at a restaurant, speaking negatively toward others instead of sharing words of blessing.
 
But this year, I say “if only” regarding our great American political arena. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you fall on, our political stages have become nasty. The language from all sides has been painful to hear. I truly say: if only there was a modern day Balaam who could magically cause all of our politicians to only share words of blessing, of education, of vision and of idea. Our American political system is created so there can be differing opinions, and they are to be respected. But politics should not be a rated R event, and what I wouldn’t give for a little taste of Balaam’s blessings from our great leaders of today.
 
As Balaam said to the Israelites:  "Ma Tovu - How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel."

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bravo

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To Question but Not To Rebel

7/7/2016

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This week we read the famous story of Korach. Korach led perhaps the most famous of rebellions ever, against the leader of the Israelite people, Moses. In the end, Korach is punished for this rebellion as the earth opened and swallowed him up along with all of his followers. His sons, however, who did not choose to follow their father, survived, and from them came many descendants. 

Our Jewish tradition teaches us to reflect and to question; it is an almost necessary part of Jewish study and within many Jewish rituals, including the Passover seder (the 4 Questions) and the High Holy Liturgy (asking us to reflect on our behaviors for the past year).  When we study we are taught to examine our Jewish text with a chevruta (a study partner) and to question and debate the essence of each passage. 

However, this week's Torah portion clearly teaches us that there is an important difference between questioning and rebelling. Korach wholeheartedly rebelled. He went against Moses and the entity of the Priesthood, and for that he was severely punished. Moses was not perfect as a leader, and we witnesses many of his mistakes, but when someone has attained the role of leader within a community, any community, there is a certain amount of respect and honor that must be afforded that individual. Questioning is acceptable and encouraged - outright rebellion is understood as disrespect and simply not accepted.

How often are we in situations when we want to question someone in a position of authority? That is absolutely within our right and responsibility. However, there is a way in which we are to talk to those in positions of authority. We may not agree with the how or even the why of Korach's punishment, but we can certainly understand the lesson our Torah teaches: rebelling against a respected and admired leader in a dishonorable and disrespectful way is simply not allowed.

So go forth. Question. Reflect. Ask. But remember what our Torah teaches - there is a WAY in which we must speak to those who serve as our leaders.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bravo

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    Rabbi Deborah Bravo

    As a rabbi, woman, wife, mother, teacher, leader and Jew, my voice takes on many different characteristics, depending on the moment, the events in society and in our world.  Read, comment, share and converse as we continue to build bridges, make connections and find sunshine in our days.

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