Bar Mitzvah Introductions to the Highlights of Davvenen

Bar Mitzvah Introductions to the Highlights of Davvenen edited by Ted Sindzinski and David Wolfe-Blank, based on "The Discovery of Mitzvot" a B'nei Mitzvot Service Receiving the Tallit I want you to know that I recognize how valuable this tallit, this silky cloth with its star of David and its corner fringes has been to you. It's special to me because you gave it to me, but also because it has passed to me through my mother's ownership, which traces a path for a Judaism that treats men and women equally, where Mothers pass Tallits to their sons and fathers pass Tallits to their daughters. I want you to know that I will treat it as you would want me to treat it, to use it with pleasure and dignity and eventually to pass it along as you have passed it on to me. (Tallit Blessing and Wrapping) followed by: Wrapping myself in the Tallit gives me a feeling and sensation of the dreams of Israel, my people. Clothing myself with this mantle of prayer, I hear the heartbeat of centuries. On my shoulders is Sinai and Yavneh, Jericho, and Jerusalem. I cany the Psalms of David, the songs of Solomon, and the dance of Miriam. I hear the prophets calling out their words which continue to reshape reality. All this, and the future too, is in my Tallit. Intro. to the Barekhu Saying the Barechu joins the community together, linking us all to the generations that have gone before us. We started out as a smaller community, but by this point in the prayers we have gathered in numbers. For a few minutes, every person is equal. For an instant we are a unity, our vision focused on what brings us together, beyond that which keeps us separated. We are woman and man, frail and flawed, nonetheless we are the creature, the only creature aware of creation, of the holiness that resides within, and the ability to name the wonder that we see. Answer me in truth as I recite the Kaddish and then call out the Barekhu. Intro. to the Sberna As we say the Sberna we release ourselves from tight boundaries of solitary personhood into the vast ocean of Oneness of eternity with the eternal God, the Infinite light. We connect with the chain of generations past whose very last words were the words of the Sberna. This connection and reconnection is based upon teachings given over with love. In the saying of the Sberna we are saying, "Teach me and I shall learn. Show me the pathways and I shall choose. Provide me with opportunities to study and to teach and I shall discover my own inclinations. Show me your model of study that I may learn how to fashion my own commitment to life, to family to Shabbat to deeds of integrity and to the wisdom of Torah in a caring c01mnunity." Intro. to the Amicla When our exploration ends, if just for the moment, and we cease to strive for the things we are compelled to find, and put aside our urge to discover, then, perhaps, the Shabbat is born. The Now of time is made sacred and we come to the calm beyond our despair and the endless unending quest. Listen to the silent voice inside. Let the calm of the Shabbat guide you into yourselves. Let the love and unity we all feel together this moment guide our thoughts and feelings as we enter the Amidah Space, the time of silent prayer, of internalized yearning whispered to an attentive Divine field of knowing. Open Thou our lips and we shall speak your truth. Intro. to the Torah Open the gates to the Torah. Seek it out. Discover it anew in this generation, on this Shabbat. Let us hear the meaning within the text. The Torah is always helping, expanding, penetrating our consciousness, arousing awareness of the self and the holy.