Rarely would I express gratitude for weather that pushes me off my bicycle and on to the T: late, crowded trains; jostling passengers; travel times increased from 25 minutes to 55 or more. But today, I'm grateful I took the T, because I found a tweet that intrigued me:
I responded:
Jim Morgan @RabbiJimM
@RevEverett Love it (although of course I don't do lent)--but I think I should do that all the time!! Not giving up tv but taking sleep!
And that got us going on a twitter-only conversation (my first, by the way) in which Rev. Laura suggested that we "swap" Lent practices, even that she would take on kashrut during the 40 days (which is actually more because Sundays, it turns out, don't count). First order of business, Laura said, was for me to obtain and consume a pancake for Fat Tuesday, i.e. today. (Kimchi pancakes and potato pancakes--i.e. latkes--wouldn't do, but a crepe would be fine.)
Although I was very excited about the pancake, I wasn't entirely comfortable with a "swap," since it wouldn't do for me to take on a Lenten practice (awkward that, for a rabbi). So I suggested instead that we accompany one another during our periods of spiritual preparation for major holidays. I would accompany her during Lent as she prepared for Easter through repentance and fasting. Laura would then accompany me (beginning before Easter arrives, since the Jewish and Christian calendars do not coincide this year) during S'firat ha-Omer, the Counting of the Omer, a time of self-examination and partial mourning practices when Jews prepare for Shavuot--the holiday that celebrates our receiving of Torah.
We haven't discussed it in detail, but over twitter we started a list: we will learn each other's texts, help each other maintain our practices (she's giving up screens after 9:30 pm--I notice I'm writing at 10:30, so I'm not much help so far!), and visit the other's congregation. I suggested that she join our minyan (Worship and Study Minyan at Harvard Hillel) for Shavuot, where we could offer a joint reflection on our experience of accompanying one another. In my ignorance, I'm not sure when would be most appropriate for me to join her congregation--I am eager to learn.
And yes--I still made a point of eating a pancake tonight--a lemon and sugar crepe from Paris Creperie in Coolidge Corner (so delicious--I was happy for the dispensation!), and I hope Laura will nosh on hamentashen for Purim (perhaps she'll even join us at Hillel for the Megillah!).
And all of this learning and reflection because of the snow storm that kept me off my bicycle!
Crowd sourcing #Lent : what are you adding/giving up for 40 days? Thinking maybe for me- no glowing screens 2 hrs before bed?
I responded:
Jim Morgan
And that got us going on a twitter-only conversation (my first, by the way) in which Rev. Laura suggested that we "swap" Lent practices, even that she would take on kashrut during the 40 days (which is actually more because Sundays, it turns out, don't count). First order of business, Laura said, was for me to obtain and consume a pancake for Fat Tuesday, i.e. today. (Kimchi pancakes and potato pancakes--i.e. latkes--wouldn't do, but a crepe would be fine.)
Although I was very excited about the pancake, I wasn't entirely comfortable with a "swap," since it wouldn't do for me to take on a Lenten practice (awkward that, for a rabbi). So I suggested instead that we accompany one another during our periods of spiritual preparation for major holidays. I would accompany her during Lent as she prepared for Easter through repentance and fasting. Laura would then accompany me (beginning before Easter arrives, since the Jewish and Christian calendars do not coincide this year) during S'firat ha-Omer, the Counting of the Omer, a time of self-examination and partial mourning practices when Jews prepare for Shavuot--the holiday that celebrates our receiving of Torah.
We haven't discussed it in detail, but over twitter we started a list: we will learn each other's texts, help each other maintain our practices (she's giving up screens after 9:30 pm--I notice I'm writing at 10:30, so I'm not much help so far!), and visit the other's congregation. I suggested that she join our minyan (Worship and Study Minyan at Harvard Hillel) for Shavuot, where we could offer a joint reflection on our experience of accompanying one another. In my ignorance, I'm not sure when would be most appropriate for me to join her congregation--I am eager to learn.
And yes--I still made a point of eating a pancake tonight--a lemon and sugar crepe from Paris Creperie in Coolidge Corner (so delicious--I was happy for the dispensation!), and I hope Laura will nosh on hamentashen for Purim (perhaps she'll even join us at Hillel for the Megillah!).
And all of this learning and reflection because of the snow storm that kept me off my bicycle!
