Jewish, Muslim Calendars Share Solemn Fasting Today
Rabbi R. Karpov, Ph.D., JCTC-JCDC, G3
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Thousands are responding to a call for joined fasting by Israeli Jewish poet Eliaz Cohen, who proposed that Jews and Muslims, Israelis and Palestinians, join our hearts on this day on two important traditional fast-days coincidentally co-occuring today.
In a rare coincidence on separate calendars, both have an important traditional fast-day today. The 17 of Tammuz in the Jewish year 5774, and the 17 of Ramadan in the Muslim year 1435, are respectively, on calendars that rarely coincide with each other or with the general calendar.
An added intention this year, for members of both communities and people from other faith-traditions and spiritual paths joining us, is that of a Hunger Strike for an end to these horrific, frightening attacks. We pray for clemency, both Divine and human.
Response in North America encouraging this joined fasting, has been warm. People of other spiritual paths and faith traditions are joining us as well, supporting this time of fasting and reflection, intending towards Israelis and Palestinians whose homes, lives, and peace of being, are being destroyed.
The 17 of the month of Tammuz commemorates the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls by the Babylonians. This fast, and another 3 weeks from now, also are the dates assigned for saying Kaddish – prayers for the deceased – for those who do not know the exact date on which their relatives died in the Holocaust.
I am asking that, just for this day, we access the grief – just experience the human sadness, the grieving. Both sides – we have buried our horrifically murdered children. CHILDREN.
Today is a day for inner reflection and effort to drive intentions from reactive violence, however justified by the feelings, to compassion. Just for today, we need, not a political or dogmatic response, but this shared human one, to touch the ear of Creator, and of our deepest selves.
Just for today, let us stay with the human response, the shared grief, what is there before we divert it into a reaction and into verbalizing who did what first, who is right or who is more wrong. Please stay with the shared sadness, and intend for a better outcome through a shared opening of the heart.
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10yYour article tied in with the one I read at biblesforisrael.com and although I do not understand all, I only have my Bible to turn to to try and make sense of all that is happening. So thank you very much for the insight, it is only through sharing knowledge that we can come to a better understanding of all.
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10yYes, "concise" does not seem to be part of Rabbi Waskow's vocabulary. :-) But he seems to be the originator of the idea. He's put out at least 3 emails over the past several days on it.
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10yQuite admirable Rabbi Karpov!