Blogging the UK Task Force Study Trip in the Negev: Day Four

Day Four: 23/02/2012

"When a stranger dwells within your land, do not vex him."  (Leviticus 19:33)

In 1963 Israeli Minister of Defence, Moshe Dayan, told Haaretz: "We should transform the Bedouin into an urban proletariat.  88% of the Israeli population are not farmers, let the Bedouin be like them. Indeed, this will be a radical move which means that the Bedouin would not live on his land with his herds, but would become an urban person who comes home in the afternoon and puts his slippers on. His children will get used to a father who wears pants without a dagger and who does not pick out their nits in public. This will be a revolution, but it can be achieved in two generations. Without coercion but with governmental direction ... this phenomenon of the Bedouins will disappear."

As we have heard more complementing and conflicting narratives about the issues of the Bedouin communities of the Negev this week, the only thing that has become clearer is that the situation is not clear-cut.   "Man who knows something knows that he knows nothing at all." (Erica Badu)  I understand that I do not even close to understand the legal, political, cultural and socio-economic complexities but I have an uneasy feeling that the disrespectful, colonial attitude expressed by Moshe Dayan in 1963 has permeated Israeli opinion and policy for too long.  I am fearful that the Israeli government may be doing exactly that which is prohibited in the Book of Leviticus; vexing the stranger in its land.  I was pleased then that today we had the opportunity to meet with Cabinet Minister Benny Begin who is responsible under the Netanyahu coalition government for implementing the Prawer Plan.  I appreciate that there is much work to be done within the Bedouin community, both in terms of addressing cultural challenges and developing local empowerment, but today is about considering Jewish/Israeli responsibility. 

Rabbinic Ordination Speech, July 2011

In December 2004, I filled in an application form to join the Rabbinical programme at Leo Baeck College.  "Question E3:  Please state your reasons for wishing to enter the progressive Rabbinate."

My response was based on Hillel's famous idiom: Im ein ani li, mi li?  Uch'sh'ani li ma ani?  Im lo achshav, eimatai?  If I am not for myself, who will be for me?  When I am only for myself, what am I?  If not now, when?

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?  

Having rediscovered a passion for Judaism and Jewish community through my academic studies towards a degree in theology and through meeting Rabbi Margaret Jacobi and becoming involved with Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, I wanted the opportunity to fill my days with Jewish learning.

Challenging Fashion on Parashat Tetzaveh

Isaac Bashevis Singer once said: “What a strange power there is in clothing.”  Fashion magazines, makeover shows and Trinny and Susanna tell us the same thing.  From 80s power-dressing to the classic understatement, the message is clear – you are what you wear!

This week, God instructs Moses to make the priestly clothing for Aaron and his sons ‘for honour and for adornment’ (Exodus 28:2).  Employing only the most skilful craftsmen, Moses is to have vestments made for the community leaders who will serve God as priests; ‘a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a fringed tunic, a headdress, and a sash’ (Exodus 28:4).  And the vestments are to be made of only the finest materials: ‘gold; blue, purple, and crimson yarns; and fine linen' (Exodus 28:5).

It would seem that God agrees with Trinny and Susanna!  It is very important that the priestly clothing is not only suitable and functional but also aesthetically beautiful; one could even say glamorous.  The rich colours and textures, the dramatic headdress and sash, the elaborate fringes and jewellery; would have gone together to create a remarkable fashion statement.