Shabbat Gathering: Jewish Valentine's Day?
Dear Chevra, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:
Zoom
Meeting ID: 963 5113 1550
Password: 1989
Phone: +1 312 626 6799
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In this week's PS, there's information about Josh Ruebeck's new album and concert in Chicago. Josh was a member of Shabbat Gathering for several years.
Here we go.
Did you know there's such a thing as Jewish Valentine’s Day? It’s call Tu B’Av and it’s coming up on August 1 and 2 this year. (I'm writing this now so you have plenty of time to get prepared.)
Tu B’Av is considered a minor Jewish holiday by most folks except for us who are romantically inclined. The holiday is also a hopelessly cis-gen holdover from unenlightened times. Here’s how Tu B'Av has been traditionally observed:
Single women bring their white dresses to a swap meet and exchange them with each other. This is done not only to disguise their identity but to mask their socio-economic status.
At nightfall, the women go out into the field and dance about. The young men watch them from the edges of the fields.
The women sing this as they dance,
“Young man, lift up your eyes and see what you choose for yourself. Do not set your eyes on beauty but set them on good family. Grace is deceitful and beauty is vain. But a woman that fears God, she will be praised.”
Then the men rush into the field, couples pair up, love ensues, and matches are made.
I think this is a charming story. I especially like the idea of women exchanging dresses to disguise their identities. And I also value another excuse, as if I need it, to send out tokens of my affection.
And may it be for all of us a blessing.
See you tonight!
Gut Shabbes!
All my love,
brian.
PS
Some of you may remember Joshua Ruebeck from our group. He moved to Chicago and has been very busy. This coming Sunday, July 16, he is giving a concert in Chicago to celebrate the release of his new, debut album, Measuring Marigolds. If you're interested in learning more about the concert, or Josh's album, there are links below. Contact Stormy or Maria if you're interested in carpooling.
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