Sometimes, we can only write about experiences when we take a step away and view them from outside.  Since I have not updated the world with my school experiences in Jerusalem in a long time, now seems appropriate since I have taken a large step away for the week by flying to Tucson to be with my fiance, Bryce. These will just be nutshell versions of some of the major themes of the past few months.

Academics
I am taking an awesome collection of ten classes this semester that include Modern Hebrew, Bible, Biblical Grammar, Biblical History, Second Temple History, Modern Zionist History, Israel Seminar, Liturgy, Rabbinic Texts, Jewish Thought (medieval philosophy), and an elective on midrashic stories from the Book of Legends.  Except for the history courses, all of my classes are taught in Hebrew, so I’ve been slowly starting to become comfortable with being swimming in Hebrew waters without relaxing on English islands.  No major tests or papers yet – so naturally I am happy with school thus far.  All the teachers are more or less phenomenal in their own ways. One of the best parts of this year though, is having the gift of the other students with whom I collaborate, relax, debate, teach, and learn.

Spirituality
Part of being in rabbinical school is, oddly enough, attending prayer services.  Every Shabbat, and at least twice a week on weekdays, HUC holds student services where we take turns leading various parts of the service.  I find it a very supporting environment where each of us can share insights and methods as well as continue to grow through experience.

Holidays
This season I blew the shofar for the High Holidays for my first time.  I and two other students coordinated and had a fun and meaningful experience on Rosh Hashanah.  We also sounded the shofar for one long blast to conclude Yom Kippur.  After 25 hours of fasting.  I don’t recommend using every last fiber of your being to hold the note as long as possible in that situation.  I was more or less recovered from almost fainting after ten minutes though, so no harm done.  The Yom Kippur service at HUC was held in Blaustein Hall, which is a beautifully designed room with glass walls facing the Old City.  It was very inspiring to see the day pass by and the light change on the walls of the Old City, with it’s panoply of churches, mosques, the Tower of David, and somewhere close but just out of sight, the Western Wall.

Jerusalem
I have yet to explore large areas of Jerusalem (and the rest of Israel for that matter), but I have already started to think of the city as home and it’s remarkable how quickly I miss being there when I’m away.  Whatever else can be said about Jerusalem, it definitely has  character.

There’s plenty more to say, but that’s all for now.  Keep an eye out for an imminent update on my week-long Arizona adventure!

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