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Temple Israel Greenfield

Center for Jewish Life in Franklin County

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Rabbi Message: August 28, 2018

August 28, 2018 by Rabbi Andrea Cohen Kiener

I saw a movie about a Hindu ritual that was quite moving. The monks prepared by washing in the living waters before gathering. They sat quietly for periods. At their ceremonies, they chanted ancient words with intention. They played instruments. They made special foods, attentively; a special round bread. They shared festive meals.So in that Hindu mirror, I also saw our practices. We quiet ourselves.We gather for our seasonal equinox and sing familiar chants, retell our stories, play our ancient instrument. We wash in living waters, in Greenfield and Shelburne Falls at 5PM each Friday now. Come! It’s fun!We listen to the shattering shofar blast.We sincerely try to rebalance and realign, in truth and compassion, for ourselves and others, as often as we can. It is a moment to moment work. This is a season to deepen our wish to stay connected to what is realest and most true for us, most loving and most elevated.One psalm, traditional to the season, Psalm 27, can be explored for a mantra like phrase for your seasonal centering. Read Psalm 27 at this link.We remember our ancestors too, in this season of remembrance. Please connect with Rabbi Andrea (email is best) if you want guidance for a cemetery visit or remembrance ritual.The purity of our prayer, so too for the Hindu monks, is the preparation and intent and sincerity.I look forward to gathering with you in circles of circles in the 6 weeks ahead. I pray for a powerful Rosh Hashana and a deep Yom Kippur for us all. Amen and Amen.

Filed Under: Spiritual Life

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Greenfield, MA 01301

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