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Eric Meir's avatar

Wonderful post as always. This is my first year trying to keep on track with reading and studying the Parsha of the week. Your posts have been great for helping me stay engaged, think about the weekly parsha and further develop my Jewish learning.

Quick question/request: I am still learning Hebrew, but Micah Goodman' Hazara Lelo Teshuva seems very interesting. Do you know of an online storefront that sells it? If not, no worries.

Once again, thank you for the post and thoughts, Mijal. Can't wait to read next week's.

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Mijal Bitton's avatar

Thank you Eric!!

Here's a JRB review that might be helpful: https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/israel/10244/return-without-returning/#

I'm realizing that there is an English translation as well (I read it in Hebrew) - Look up Wondering Jews and the Search for Jewish identity in Amazon. Shabbat Shalom!

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Todd Rockoff's avatar

Once again a wonderful thoughtful read to begin Friday morning. Lots to think about and discuss. Wishing you Shabbat Shalom

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Mijal Bitton's avatar

Thank you so much, Todd - really appreciate it!!

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Todd Rockoff's avatar

Shabbat shalom

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Brian McBride's avatar

I wonder if there is a world where both the Biblical narrative of Terah beginning to take his family to Canaan and the Midrash of the idol smashing could both coexist… I am a convert to Judaism and was raised in a very religious family. I get the story of Abram busting up the idols and maybe even the snarky backtalk. But as I grow older (and hopefully wiser?) and my parents age, maybe there is a world where we are still journeying together even though our beliefs are different.

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Mijal Bitton's avatar

Brian - I love this. Been thinking about this a lot. Forget philosophy, in life alone I think many of us experienced both moments - shattering idols and following our parents' path. Thank you for sharing some of your personal journey. I love your suggestion of a path in which you journey together with your family even as your directions differ a little. Shabbat shalom!!!

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Amy's avatar

I love your response Brian. We Jews have certainly suffered the dual historical consequences of timeless generational relationships gaps on the one hand and the interruptions of exiled and dispersed families on the other.

As a Jew living in modern history I feel the push pull of the emotional and environmental landscape that shapes my desire to forge a more connected, less exiled Judaism....more connected to my heritage, more connected to living in community and the desire to weave them both into an organism that grows in strength for the future.

Mijal, you raise such a wonderful point about a second look at Abraham's relationship with his father. That there is more to this journey than meets the eye. I hope more of us can find more ways to reflect together on our own Jewish journies .

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Mijal Bitton's avatar

Thank you Amy! Your comment is making me think of a new perspective - "less exiled" Judaism. Will sit with this for a bit! Amen to your blessing!

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