I was at this month's "Women of the Wall" gathering on Rosh Chodesh (the Jewish new moon celebration) which takes place at the Kotel in Jerusalem. We gathered early in the morning. I think it was about 7am or perhaps it was 6. I can't quite remember. It was a pretty amazing experience to be all huddled together singing softly and watching the fringes from women's talitot (prayer shawls) sway with the prayers under their coats. I found out that it is a crime for women to wear their talitot at the Wall. They will be fined and might spend time in jail.
That early morning, no one went to jail. After we prayed by the Wall, we all walked quietly to part of the Old City. One woman was carrying the Torah in a duffel bag. After we arrived at a quiet spot, the Torah was taken out and the Torah service began. We were about 30 women of all ages from all parts of the world praying together. It filled my soul and eyes with tears. Tears of joy and sorrow to know that to some people, this is a crime.
How can it be a crime to be together in community? To pray together? To surround each other with joy and love?
I was at this month's "Women of the Wall" gathering on Rosh Chodesh (the Jewish new moon celebration) which takes place at the Kotel in Jerusalem. We gathered early in the morning. I think it was about 7am or perhaps it was 6. I can't quite remember. It was a pretty amazing experience to be all huddled together singing softly and watching the fringes from women's talitot (prayer shawls) sway with the prayers under their coats. I found out that it is a crime for women to wear their talitot at the Wall. They will be fined and might spend time in jail.
That early morning, no one went to jail. After we prayed by the Wall, we all walked quietly to part of the Old City. One woman was carrying the Torah in a duffel bag. After we arrived at a quiet spot, the Torah was taken out and the Torah service began. We were about 30 women of all ages from all parts of the world praying together. It filled my soul and eyes with tears. Tears of joy and sorrow to know that to some people, this is a crime.
How can it be a crime to be together in community? To pray together? To surround each other with joy and love?