Different Types of Praying
How do we pray?
We generally pray: in a schul; with a congregation; with siddurim; we read/sing; we move our bodies, etc.
Where are Ashkenazi Jews from? (generally speaking)
There was a large Diaspora (migration) from Israel to the Holy Roman Empire. From there Jews migrated to parts of Western Europe, and then further to Central and Eastern Europe.
Where are Sephardic Jews from? (Generally speaking)
After the Holy Roman Empire, they migrated to Spain and Portugal. From trading and colonialism, Jews also spread out to parts of Norther Africa (like Morocco), and South and Central America.
Where are mizrahi Jews from, generally speaking?
Their ancestors never left the middle east! Examples: Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Jordan, Syria, etc.
What kind of special foods do we eat, and why?
We eat a lot of food that has been fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days instead of 1.
The Baal Shem Tov wants to go to the Holy Land more than anything-- where is that?
Israel!
Who is Azazel supposed to be?
He's an angel that's our equivalent of the Devil.
What’s the main problem of the story?
A witch has cursed a rabbi, so his newborn daughter is born with the head of a donkey (something she deals with for most of her life).
Who were the Maccabees fighting, and why?
Bonus: What's Guerilla fighting?
They were fighting the Assyrian-Greeks. The Assyrian Greeks had taken over and had made Judaism illegal
When civilians fight with whatever they can.
Who was the Baal Shem Tov, and what did he teach?
He was a rabbi during the 18th century. Super learned and kind man. He said that God just wanted us to feel joy, and fundamentally changed the way we pray (also created the orthodox sect of Hasidism).
Why can’t the Baal Shem Tov go to the Holy Land?
He's considered too holy-- his going to Israel would bring about the Messiah
What does the saying, "Go to Azazel" mean?
It's "Go to the Devil"-- the equivalent of telling someone to "Go to hell"
After learning that his "father" is actually his grandfather, the son leaves in search of his real father. On the way he takes a rest. Someone comes to visit him in his dream-- who is it and what do they say?
Why is Judith's story related to Chanukah?
Judith helped her own town defeat the Assyrian-Greek army, just like the Maccabees. She was clever and became a double agent. She helped carry out the final blow to the Assyrian-Greek army: She decapitated the general (Holofernes), and then told her own general to plan a surprise attack-- the assyrian-greek army was hungover and leaderless; perfect for an easy defeat!
In the 18th century, we had a Jewish version of the 'Protestant Reformation'-- what does that mean.
The Protestant Reformation was when Martin Luther came up with a list (95 theses) of things that should be changed in the Catholic church b/c practices weren't fair for the majority of Christians. Ended up making a new sect.
-Baal Shem Tov said there were other ways of praying other than just reading/studying all day (problematic if you had to work or were illiterate). Said that God just wanted you to be happy-- physical movements could become spiritual in the right mindset (like dancing/singing).
How does the Baal Shem know that the stranger leading him in the tunnel is a demon?
The stranger has no shadow
On the poor brother’s journey to Azazel, he has 3 different stops where he meets sad “people”-- who are these different sad “people”? (Hint: people is in quotation marks because they're not all technically human)
First he meets 3 sad sisters who are all spinning different types of thread-- they're sad because they can't find husbands. Then he meets a sad tree with delicious looking, but terrible tasting fruit. Then he meets a ferryman who is forced to remain at his post forever.
What are the gifts that the husband leaves his donkey-headed wife?
He leaves:
-his tallit, that has his name and his father's name on it.
-a sentimental book given to him by his father
-his wedding ring
What are the 2 ‘miracles’ of Chanukah? Why are there 2?
1 has to do with the underdog win by the Maccabees: despite being wildly outnumbered they prevailed.
1 had to do with the miracle of the oil: oil that should've lasted for only 1 night lasted for 8
The 2 different miracles highlight different things: mans strength and God's strength. They're important for different reasons, and often focus on one is related to the time period.
In Kabbalah the goal is 'Devekut' (adhesion in English). What does that mean? What are we trying to adhere?
It's basically like the Jewish version of reaching Nirvana-- we're trying to ADHERE/glue our soul to God.
Who/what is the Messiah?
In Judaism, the Messiah is a future king (related to King David). When he is in power, the earth will be changed into a new state of paradise-- like being in the Garden of Eden. His arrival is signaled by the prophet Elijah. Orthodox Jews also believe that the Messiah will come in the year 6000 (we are in the year 5781).
How does the Wise Woman (WW) tell the poor brother to help the other sad “people” he’s met on his journey?
(Hint: people is in quotation marks because they're not all humans)
For the three sad sisters he meets, the WW tells him they must make wedding dresses from the thread they have made. When they finish the dresses, they'll meet their husbands. For the tree, there is a chest of treasure buried by the roots. Remove the treasure chest, and the tree's fruit will be sweet. For the ferryman, he can leave his post if he finds someone to replace him.
The story is based on other stories from the Talmud. What’s the Talmud?
The Talmud is a collection of writings from different rabbis explaining the Torah and our laws (often by using fables and commentary). There are 2 parts:
-Mishnah (which has the midrash)
-Gemara (Mishnah + more critical thinking)
Is chanukah a festival or holiday? What’s the difference?
Chanukah is a festival (The Festival of Lights)
Holidays are directly linked to the Torah-- either the story they're based on is from the Torah (sometimes the holiday itself is celebrated in the Torah). Festivals are based off of stories that came much later.