D’var Torah

CPTB Split EP Vol. 4 (Behar and Bechukotai)

‍‍24 Iyar 5772 - May 16, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

This week’s Torah portion is a double portion and continuing in the format used for other double portions the Dvar for this week will follow the split 7 inch record format where each chapter gets its own track. So here you have it folks Circle Pit The Bimah Split EP Vol. 4.

Parsha Behar (Leviticus 21:1 – 26:2)

1. Dominion, There Comes A Time. . .

Behar discusses how Hashem wants the land of His creation to be cultivated and managed. The first part in this week’s double portion establishes rules for farming and land “ownership.” Just beneath the surface a deeper current is flowing and that is the inevitable time when we must recognize our role and place in this world. The classless and environmental sustainability commandments for land management are given to a nomadic people before entering Zion as a lesson in self realization. We all must come to terms with where we as an individual are as a person and as part of a people. We can only grow closer to being a more complete Jew and selflessly performing Tikun Olam by accepting that there is a time when we must recognize the role we play in our families, our communities, and within Hashem’s creation. There may be times in our lives when we flourish financially and other times when we struggle just to survive on the most bare subsistence level, we are created beings living in a created world that has existed for a very long time. Hashem may have granted us the privilege of Dominion but we remain created in a way where we cannot live without each part of creation playing its unique role. The time for that realization and awakening is now.

Parsha Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3 – 27:34)

1. Heads or Tails

Bechukotai is a dire warning from Hashem. If you are anything like me you have noticed that Leviticus is like watching a coin flipping its way up and then down before reaching its final resting place in your hand. No more is this true than in the final chapters of Torah’s third book. The beginning chapter of this week’s second portion deals with cause and effect. Hashem stresses the importance of living a righteous and loving life the reward if you do so is prosperity and happiness, but if you do not the flood gates of despair will open. In just one chapter the key to what everyone wants (good health, a safe home, a clean environment, and family) is given juxtaposed against the punishments for not keeping the commandments (famine, disease, violent death, and cannibalism). Levitical law is something many detractors use to argue against organized religion and that’s easy to do when you only look at every other chapter or in other words just one side of the coin.

2. Taxation Without Representation
Leviticus ends in a way that seems almost anti climatic. Bechukotai ends with of all things tax code related. Almost as a reminding nod towards commandment keeping and what will befall the Jewish people for not heading Hashem’s ideal for a perfect Jewish life, Torah’s third book ends with who must provide what for each offering.

Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Featured Blogs, Jeremiah Satterfield, Judaism Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, jeremiah, Leviticus, Parsha Bechukotai, Parsha Behar

Parsha Emor: Rhymes with Restitution (Lev. 21:1 – 24:23)

‍‍18 Iyar 5772 - May 10, 2012 By Jeremiah 1 Comment

Emor is an explosive portion. Within these four chapters commandments and prohibitions for or against everything from grooming, honor killing, mixed marriages, who to eat with, and what to do with a rabble rousing blasphemer are laid out. True, Emor’s target audience is the priestly cast and their families but the role of public opinion is modeled here and yet this week’s portion ends with restitution being paid in a suitable way by societal standards. Does this mean being Torah observant today prohibits daughter burning and blasphemer stoning? The answer to that is an unequivocal YES!

In this modern age we do not live in a tribal nomadic society drawn from ethno-religious lines. Jews can be found living just about everywhere in the world and our racial features are literally across the board. While we are all Jews our Jewish stories vary widely but this was not the case thousands of years ago. For example, if I were to be in an accident caused by another which resulted in the lose of an eye I do not want that person’s eye I would rather have my medical bills and any special needs taken care of financially. Because of the place and time an ancient Hebrew in the same situation was not in a position where monetary retribution for pain and medical treatment could easily happen.
Retribution is about making wrongs right not feeding a craving for vengeance.

While reading this week’s portion I’m reminded of something that happened to a very close friend of mine, we will call him H. In our hometown there was a punk infused heavy metal band associated with a large Born-Againer Christian Church. The metal fans in the area really weren’t into their style of metal and the local punks weren’t into their style of hardcore, this meant there fan base were only fellow congregants.

H gets invited to a birthday party where this band is booked to play, now H is not a Christian nor is he extremely religious he’s a mild mannered tattoo artist who finds solace chanting the Maha Mantra at the local Hare Khrisna farm. He shows up at this kid’s house and the place is full of people from this church, from small kids all the way to middle aged adults. As he told me this story he pointed out how uncomfortable he felt from basically being eye ball judged because of his heavily tattooed appearance.

As the band plays the chorus to one of their songs the word restitution is screamed in regards to J.C.’s crucifixion this causes something inside H’s head to snap and he reacts. As the chorus nears a second time H runs towards the make shift stage parting the sea of people in half, reaching out he grabs the mic, places his mouth over it and as clear as the moon on a cloudless summer night yells PROSTITUTION! Needless to say if looks could kill. . . kill they would have.

As an opened minded Jew I found H’s proclamation hilarious and while not blasphemous towards Judaism it is towards Christianity. Despite being in an enclave of the “saved” no one had a right to stone or burn H. In our society we can afford disinters because we are not nomadic, our resources are stable, and because of education it is harder for a rabble rouser to seriously challenge the moral and religious belief system that makes and keeps us Jewish.

In what other ways has the passing of time changed societies views on restitution? Leave a comment below or send me a message.

Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, jeremiah, Leviticus, Parsha Emor

CPTB Split EP Vol. 3 (Acharei Mot and Kedoshim)

‍‍10 Iyar 5772 - May 2, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

Parsha Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 – 18:30)

1. You Say Yom KipPER, I Say Yom KipPOOR

I really like the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus and in a way I wish Acharei Mot was . . .you know “my portion” (I was born in November no such luck). In this chapter lots are cast to decide which animals are sacrificed and which animals are let loose into the wild for atonement. Oh and before I forget, this is the Yom Kippur part of the Torah. In a previous Dvar I mention how I became a zealous atheist at the age of thirteen which lasted until the ripe old age of twenty-two. I only bring this up again because Yom Kippur was the first mitzvah I kept after returning to the rank and file of our tribe and despite my views on animal sacrifice Acharei Mot remains very important to me.

2. Blood Free Youth.

In my notes for this section of Acharei Mot I have scribbled “quote chapter seventeen verse fourteen and be done with it.” It’s a great verse look it up, read it, and meditate on it, but this part is all about keeping Kosher, a blood free palate and more importantly promotes compassion. How can we as Jews and as a “Priestly People” promote the dignity and respect so inherent within our faith when we insist on picking and choosing what needs Tikkun Olem. Remember its repair the world, not repair the markets or an inflated sense of self worth. What we put inside of ourselves, whether its something physical like food or an ideological concept, will in turn emanate from us through our thoughts and actions.

3. No Harm No Foul.

Controversy! It goes without saying incest is not alright but is consensual male homosexuality really a sin, and what about female homosexuality? Look. . . .some real talk. . . I think the Torah’s wording in regards to homosexuality is presented in a way which allows for same sex relationships. Relationships of all types are complicated and narrowing everything down to a few lines here and there is never going to encapsulate every aspect of every relationship. I wish I had more to offer on this subject and on one hand I’m proud that I am not homophobic but on the other hand as a hetero its something I really don’t think about that often. Please feel free to discuss in the comments or send me a private message.

Parsha Kedoshim

1. Representative Eric be a CANtor not a CAN’Tor.

In this country, this country that I live in it is an election year. This means in November I will vote for candidates who feel the same way I do about issues important to me and against candidates that stand for issues important to people whose views I disagree with. Why is this important? Glad you asked Kedoshim is two chapters the first of which (being first makes it more important at least in my opinion) Hashem provides commandments to protect the earth, those less fortunate, and indirectly opposes classism. Sure, there is some stuff in there about getting tattoos, beard shaving, and ghost whispering but the fact remains the same Hashem wants us to occupy the world with justice, compassion, and equality.

2. Manifest Zion.

No two people are alike and Hashem knows this because that’s how He created us. Kedoshim concludes with some warnings and corporeal punishment commandments making this now complete portion appealing to both sides of the aisle. As an American living in the southwest it’s a little hard to think that the Navajo and Pueblo nations who first inhabited New Mexico were wicked and that’s why this area is now part of the United States of America (fun fact: not only is Albuquerque the city I call home but our first two mayors were Jewish, in fact Jews and New Mexico have a long and fruitful relationship going back to the mid 1800s). While I might have problems reconciling this concept others seem to truly understand it and are glad to be part of a nation who has helped de-wickedify (new word?) tyrannical regimes hoarding prosperity from everyone except themselves.

Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, jeremiah, Leviticus, Parsha Acharei Mot, Parsha Kedoshi

CPTB Split EP Vol. 2 (Parsha Tazria-Metzora)

‍‍19 Nisan 5772 - April 11, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

Parsha Tazri (Leviticus 12:1 – 13:59)

1. Of Babies and Women.

This week’s double shot of Torah begins with what a girl has to do in order to be deemed ritually clean after giving birth and then quickly moves on to discuss, once again, the rite of circumcision. When all is said and done I think us guys made out like bandits, I can’t remember my circumcision but my mom definitely remembers carrying and giving birth to me.

2. Desert Zombies From You Know Where.

Towards the end of the twentieth century I was a lowly high school senior trying to learn a little espanol. One day in class I turn in my seat towards my friend who was sitting on the other side of the room and in a very matter of fact way pointed out that because he was not circumcised he was unclean. Not only did that statement earn me a one way ticket to the Vice Principle’s office I was also assigned a personal escort, she was a cute girl named Tara. After sitting in the teacher’s lounge for a couple periods the Vice Principle came out and read the teacher’s note describing my concerns for my gentile friends Biblical status of uncleanliness. He looked at me and I just looked back like I truly did not know making that proclamation was not appropriate for a Spanish class in a public high school. He totally bought my defense, apologized for keeping me for two full periods and sent me on my way. The I don’t know any better excuse does not work in the world of Judaism because we have all the does and do not’s laid out for us in Torah and Tazri is a perfect example of this.

Parsha Metzora (Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33)

1. Calling Doctor Aaron

If that skin crawling feeling is your thing then Metzora is the portion for you…literally. In Metzora Aaron and the priests are given an additional task. This task by today’s standards is akin to dermatology. It was the duty of the priests to examine skin conditions and then declare the afflicted clean or unclean. The unclean verdict resulted in the sufferer exiling themselves for one full week and on the seventh day a follow exam would take place and a new judgment would be given. As someone whose skin is extremely allergic to poison ivy exiling yourself actually eases some of the discomfort, go figure.

2. Dirty Words

Metzora finishes with a discussion about certain states of sexual dirtiness. For women the seven days concluding their monthly menstrual cycle are deemed unclean and women are told to refrain from sex and to withdraw from society until a new cycle begins. Since us men do not have periods our uncleanliness can happen at any time we are told to clean ourselves of any spilled seed. Some may say this is a good example of sexism in the Torah and I can kind of see where that point of view comes from on the other hand I am not a big fan of blood but I am a big fan of taking showers. I don’t know, what do you all think?

Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, jeremiah satterfield, Leviticus, Parsha Metzora, Parsha Tazri

Parsha Shemini: Daniel Balint or Living A Double Life (Lev. 9:1 – 11:47)

‍‍12 Nisan 5772 - April 4, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

Leviticus can be a very daunting book, especially when you limit your Dvar to a very loose free association style discussion. In previous posts I mention for this Torah cycle I want to challenge myself by not relying on more scholarly Jew’s commentaries for my weekly Dvar but Leviticus is definitely a book where commentaries can become crucial. For me at least, this week’s portion Shemini is an exception. The life blood flowing from the beating heart of these chapters is separating the sacred from the profane.

Separation is something I have always naturally been good at. I have never lived a secret life I am just really good at compartmentalizing. As a child I had my religious friends and my secular friends, outside of birthday parties the two never mixed. Fast forward to my late teens and early twenties I was thought of as basically two completely different people, this was due primarily to working full time as a ravenous wild eyed prep cook with post shift partying requirements contrasted by my life as a hardcore kid running with a pack healthy eating and clean living punks. I never lived a lie I just didn’t spin hardcore records or eat steaks at work and drinking in back alleys before all ages shows was never my thing. Same guy just really good time management skills, but that doesn’t change the fact that co-workers thought I was joking about vegetarianism and some punks seemed surprised to occasionally witnessing me drinking out of a brown paper bag. This is exactly what Shemini is all about.

In chapter nine of Leviticus a sin offering is followed by a burnt offering which is then followed by a peace offering. The sequence of these offerings is not a coincidence they symbolize the separation of wickedness, atonement, and forgiveness. If we are unable to differentiate right from wrong and why we are right or wrong then we will be forced to remain in the proverbial wilderness. The wilderness is emotional instability, mental anguish, and physical pain only by identifying our faults and actively working to correct them will we be able to leave those burdens behind and move on to something so much greater.

To illustrate the criticality of this concept is the tragic story of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu. These sons and brothers presented a “strange” fire which Hashem deemed profane and as punishment were consumed by sacred fire erupting from the Holy of Holies. The lesson here is Nadab and Abihu were unable to completely separate their former secular lives from their current sacred lives of Priests. If they had been able to separate who knows they may have played a much more important and positive role within Judaism.

Shemini concludes with a list of Kosher versus Non-Kosher animals. What is so important about this concept of Kosher is not the permission to kill and eat certain animals but demonstrating how important things you consume figuratively and literally are. The easiest way to remember which animals are Kosher is to look at their diets and determine if they are scavengers eating what has been left by others as waste. The lesson here is do not fill yourself with wasteful things because it will only hold you down.

Shemini teaches us how not to live in the wilderness but we have to choose to make that break and enter into a promised life.

Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Featured Blogs, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: abihu, Circle Pit The Bimah, daniel balint, hardcore, jeremiah satterfield, Leviticus, Nadab, Parsha Shemini, straight edge, the secret life

Parsha Tzav: Seriously Dude! Another Way Too Short Dvar or Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? (Lev. 6:1 – 8:36)

‍‍3 Nisan 5772 - March 26, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

Parsha Tzav is the continuation of Torah’s listing of which offerings require this or that and how those offerings should be ceremoniously carried out. Oh and once the list of offerings is complete Moses clothes Aaron and anoints him and his sons as Judaic Priests.

Tzav does not teach us anything new what it does do is reiterate important lessons. Making amends and how we present our outward selves are lessons already touched upon within Torah. So why the repeat and why not combine Vayikra and Tzav into one portion? The answer is simple, only people study Torah and its no secret that everyone likes to be reminded of things. This week as you meditate on and study Tzav look through your spiritual spy glass as you would in search of positive reinforcement. Its like being told by someone special that they love you over and over again.

What verbal and non-verbal reinforcement helps you to be a better Jew? Share in the comments below or send me a message: Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Featured Blogs, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, jeremiah satterfield, Leviticus, Parsha Tzav

Parsha Vayikra: Crucial Barbecue (Lev. 1:1 – 5:26)

‍‍29 Adar 5772 - March 23, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

This week we embark upon Leviticus book three of the Torah. In a lot of ways Leviticus is what one should expect from a middle book and Vayikra (that’s holy tongue for Leviticus in case you were wondering) starts things off without any surprise twists. This week’s portion is five chapters devoted to the how, when, why, and where of sacrificial offerings.

Animal sacrifices today are just not practical. This is not because sacrificing an animal is frowned upon (lets face it most people’s diets include killed animals and sacrificing them is not that weird) it is because we display our prosperity in other ways. The ritual and reasons for sacrificial offerings are laid out in Vayikra to strengthen the relationship between Hashem and mankind. Animals or no animals it makes perfect sense Hashem created everything and by default everything is His regardless of what we may think.

In more modern times each of us has our own way of showing just how sorry and remorseful we are. My process is a heartfelt apology acknowledging my scum bagginess followed by a gift of some sort, on the other hand a close friend of mind likes to show remorse with a nice dinner and drinks at a classy restaurant. Both are far cries from sacrificing the choicest of cows but the intent is the same. Making amends is something we have to initiate first in our hearts and then through our actions, this is exactly what Vayikra is about.

Wait there’s more! Sacrificial offerings also add closure. Done with sincerity showing your remorse to those you have hurt helps all involved, both sides are then able to close and lock a door that opens into a painful part of life. Closure is a crucial tool in spiritual growth dwelling on past mistakes will only strangle you like a vine.

What are your sacrificial offerings? Share in the comments below or send me a message: Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Animal Sacrifice, Circle Pit The Bimah, jeremiah satterfield, Leviticus, Parsha Vayikra

CPTB Split EP Vol. 1 (Parsha Vayakhel/Pekudei)

‍‍20 Adar 5772 - March 14, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

This week’s Parsha is unique it is the first double portion in this year’s cycle and it is also the conclusion of the Torah’s second book Exodus. Since this week is not like the rest (oh come on like you would not have went there), and keeping with the very loose hardcore punk theme of Circle Pit The Bimah this week’s double portion is fashioned after a split 7 inch record. In the traditional split format each group is given a side of the record to showcase two songs, for our purposes each portion is allowed two paragraphs to get the message out. Man oh man I hope this does not blow up in my face.

Parsha Vayakhel (Ex. 35:1 – 38:20)

1. I’m sorry lets make up.

After directing their faith towards a less responsive candidate for godhead in Ki Tisa. The ancient Hebrews are repenting and doing what we all do when we know its our fault and not the other persons. Instead of cooking a nice dinner or sending a bouquet of flowers our ancestors gave completely and totally of themselves. The golden calf was only given a little bit of gold in order to become a physical thing, while Hashem was given everything Moses needed to build the Tabernacle and dress Aaron and the rest of the priests. They gave and gave and gave until they were told to stop.

2. All Ages Benefit Show.

The ancient Hebrews gave so much of themselves not out of fear but because they truly wanted to give unto Hashem. They were told to stop because the needs of the religious government were met and taking more or even everything would have left the rest of that society in dire need. This reiterates that Hashem is a living G~d who needs a two way relationship with us and not heartless obedience.

Parsha Pekudei (Ex. 38:21 – 40:38)

1. War Against errr For Society.

Often times when we think of nomadic peoples images of tents and caravans creep into our minds eye, we do not envision portable buildings. The ancient Hebrews while technically nomadic were unique because Egypt shares a border with the State of Israel yesterday and today. Pekudei captures the part of history when the Tabernacle is actually built, gone is Moses’ talk about building and present is the construction carried out by Bezalel and Oholiab.

2. From the Old School to the New School

As Exodus ends a new chapter is penning itself. Absent are the heroic styled accounts and morally ambiguous lessons demonstrated in the lives of our ancestors and what we do have is the first physical State of Israel. Hashem and Moses have literally created a viable self supporting nation state with codified laws, a government structure, religious culture, all while remaining partially nomadic. Yes over the course of the next few decades this state will move from here to there and then to other there but an unruly band of nomads in the desert they are not.

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Featured Blogs, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, exodus, Israel, jeremiah satterfield, Parsha Pekudei, Parsha Vayakhel

Parsha Ki Tisa: Right Belief by the Right Brigade (Ex. 30:11 – 34:35)

‍‍12 Adar 5772 - March 6, 2012 By punktorah Leave a Comment

Well. . . Our people are up to their old ways this week. Not only do the ancient Hebrews convince themselves that Hashem and Moses have abandoned them once again, they also plead with Aaron to smelt another golden calf. All this happens after the community is asked to pay half a sheckle in tithes while Bezalel and Oholiab start to craft the past few week’s commandments into physicality. Throw in a commandment to always honor Shabbat and you have a lot of invested effort making a walk away from Hashem highly unlikely.

On the surface so many things take place in Ki Tisa one can very easily come away feeling overwhelmed. If that is not enough to make you say “Woah” just beneath the surface the depths of meaning are endless. If you have yet to read this week’s portion , stop right here and go and do it! Fear not I will be right hear where you left me.

Choices, choices, choices…seriously where to begin? Better to choose just one lesson and run, right? Right! Ki Tisa shows us that being Jewish is easier than it seems. Judaism is simply choosing Hashem and His traditions. That latter part has really been expounded upon throughout the centuries but the former remains as is. The anger in this week’s portion exuded verbally by Hashem and Moses and physically by Levitical sword stems from a heart piercing betrayal by the ancient Hebrews. Once again they chose to turn their backs to Hashem and their faces towards a golden calf. Hardly a coincidence then that Moses sees the back of Hashem and then begins to cover his face with a vale.

Three thousand men are figuratively and literally cut from Judaism for two specific reasons. First, this is the second time their hearts yearned for an inanimate god and second the ancient Hebrew’s society was the first true state of Israel. The Hebrew Tribes were surrounded by non-nomadic people worshiping man made divinity, simply put nothing was stopping those slain from leaving the tribe for more “golden” pastures. They chose to stay, stray, and hope for the day when their agenda was the majority one.

Today drawing swords and cleaning the proverbial house is antiquated to say the least, but that doesn’t mean we can’t turn inwards and cut out those things that are foreign parasites feeding off our sparks. Judaism like ever other religion is not hyphenated you can not choose Hashem and attach a belief in other deities to your faith. If you feel called to another faith don’t be hindered by your upbringing or family name, if you allow that to happen your diminishing yourself and the Jewish faith. In essence go and be the best practitioner you can be.

Learning about and from others is crucial to a fearless and fulfilling life but at some point you have to be true to your spark. The many traditions within Judaism often times seem at odds with each other over Halakha but choosing Hashem and Hashem only is the lynchpin that keeps us who we are.

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Circle Pit The Bimah, circlepitbimah, D'var Torah, golden calf, idolatry, ki tisa

Parsha Tetzaveh: More Than Fashion (Ex. 27:20 – 30:10)

‍‍6 Adar 5772 - February 29, 2012 By Jeremiah Leave a Comment

I have to admit I put writing this week’s thoughts on Torah off, well that’s not entirely true I followed my weekly process I just didn’t want to sit down and type up a few paragraphs on it; but I made a commitment to you, myself, and most importantly Hashem. So lets do this.

In Tetzaveh Hashem via Moses codifies instructions to consecrate everything priestly. This includes oil for the Tabernacle, priestly garments, ordination of the priesthood, the alter, and incense burning. In today’s age the Temple has been reduced to a wall supporting the earthly foundation of a Mosque and we no longer have a family of priests we have Rabbis and any Jew can be a Rabbi after the proper training. Looking at this week’s portion within the framework of the early 21st century we can apply these laws to how we as Jews view and present ourselves within the world surrounding us.

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that in so many words I talk and act like I spent 3 years and 8 months in a federal penitentiary. The truth is I spent that time living and working a desk job in Charlotte, North Carolina and the culture shock of the mid south was something I never became accustomed to. During the past week while I reflected on Tetzaveh I was reminded of a co-worker in Charlotte who was adamant that I was not Jewish because I did not look like a Jew. I have absolutely no clue what a Southern Baptist thinks a Jew looks like and honestly I didn’t ask since we worked in an office building and that conversation would not have ended politely to say the least. Then I started to think about my misspent youth and how sometimes I would be followed through stores based on my “look” but we are not even through Shemot and I have talked about myself way too much. The inspiration for these reflections is how important our presentation is to our self image, our community, and to the non-Jewish community at large.

I really wanted to forget about Tetzaveh because challenging myself and asking how do I want my presentation to be, is a very heavy task. At this point in Torah, Aaron and his sons are finally at a point where dressing in priestly garments is a natural and comfortable expression of themselves and the greater Hebrew community is ready to except them as is. Before this point dressing as a priest would have resulted in a small flicker of awkardness emanating from the priestly caste and even a small flicker would have been blinding to those within the Hebrew camps doing more harm than good. Like Aaron I want to exude a complete and confident Jewish aura instead of an awkward or uneasy aura. The first thing I want Non-Jews whom I interact with to think when they hear the word Jew is something positive. I do not want that response to be something like “Oh, you mean your like that stiff, awkward guy Jeremiah.”

This week examine yourself. How do you find comfort in outward Jewish expression? Are there times when an outward expression makes you feel uncomfortable? In the past how did you overcome that discomfort?

Jeremiah@punktorah.org Twitter: @circlepitbimah

Share this:

Filed Under: D'var Torah, Featured, Jeremiah Satterfield Tagged With: Aaron, Circle Pit The Bimah, exodus, jeremiah satterfield, jewish clothes, jewish fashion, Parsha Tetzaveh, what do jews look like

CPTB Split EP Vol. 4 (Behar and Bechukotai)

Parsha Emor: Rhymes with Restitution (Lev. 21:1 – 24:23)

CPTB Split EP Vol. 3 (Acharei Mot and Kedoshim)

CPTB Split EP Vol. 2 (Parsha Tazria-Metzora)

Parsha Shemini: Daniel Balint or Living A Double Life (Lev. 9:1 – 11:47)

Parsha Tzav: Seriously Dude! Another Way Too Short Dvar or Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? (Lev. 6:1 – 8:36)

Parsha Vayikra: Crucial Barbecue (Lev. 1:1 – 5:26)

CPTB Split EP Vol. 1 (Parsha Vayakhel/Pekudei)

Parsha Ki Tisa: Right Belief by the Right Brigade (Ex. 30:11 – 34:35)

Parsha Tetzaveh: More Than Fashion (Ex. 27:20 – 30:10)

Free Weekly Email Newsletter

Search our Site

Upcoming Events at OneShul