The marvelous matriarchal stories in Genesis prompted me to join Torah Study this past Sabbath at Temple de Hirsch Sinai. After three weeks on the road listening to Christian women who were re-discovering these stories and learning about midrash, it was a delight to listen to a Jewish discussion about the same. This week the reading included the death of Sarah. It was a timely reminder of the role of midrash as the rabbi pointed out, “Many commentaries offer the explanation that Sarah’s death, following so closely to the sacrifice of Isaac, suggests that she died of shock or a broken
heart—either because Isaac so nearly died or, even, because she thought he had, for other commentaries offer the possibility that there was an ‘informant’ who ran back to tell her of Abraham’s intent. “ Conjecture? Yes. But that’s the appeal of midrash. As the Rabbi said on Saturday, “The Torah was created by God so that we could fill in the holes with the beautiful gift of midrash.” It is our invitation to enter the story and let our imagination take hold.
I am so pleased and proud of the fledgling scholars using Sisters in Scripture. I’ve experienced firsthand their insights, questions and enthusiasm. It’s exciting. I need also to acknowledge and recommend a true scholar who’s been a guide and mentor for me, albeit from miles away. Teresa Pirola of LIGHT OF TORAH offers a weekly online study following the Jewish Torah readings. She does it as a Catholic woman who has studied at the Bat Kol Institute in Jerusalem and who advocates and educates in her native Australia to awaken Catholics to the riches of their Jewish ancestry-in-faith. She does this through her love and study of Torah and it is a faith-enriching, educating experience. Last year, 2012-13, I accompanied a group using Light of Torah. As we read our way through Torah and discussed the questions provided by Teresa, we came to new insights and appreciation. I know I was changed by the experience.
I would recommend Light of Torah to those using any of my SISTERS IN SCRIPTURE studies, either as enrichment or as a follow-up. It fits especially well for those using the year-long model of Sisters in Scripture or its sequel, Never On Sunday. Visit the website at www.lightoftorah.net. Let me know what you think.