Episode 44: g?d is Here (with Rabbi Toba Spitzer)
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g?d is here
This week we’re grateful to bring you Ellen and Eliana’s conversation with Rabbi Toba Spitzer, author of the book “God is Here: Reimagining the Divine.” Rabbi Spitzer takes us on a journey that includes Jewish liberation theology, playing dead (as in the grateful dead), liturgical gymnastics, and the three kinds of metaphors. Rabbi Spitzer’s work has been hugely influential to our thinking around g?d-language and we were geeking out the whole time. We hope you enjoy our interview (and hope you buy her book!)
How can g?d-metaphors influence and enhance our experiences of the Divine?
(1:05) Covenant Foundation
(1:11) The Light Lab T’fillah Teachers Fellowship
(1:31) Hava Nashira
(2:33) Rabbi Toba Spitzer serves Congregation Dorshei Tzedek in West Newton, MA.
(2:44) T’ruah
(3:01) Learn more about Rabbi Spitzer here. You can find her book “God is Here” here.
(5:20) Habonim Dror Camp Moshava
(5:23) Fabrangen Havurah
(8:45) Pendle Hill Quaker retreat center
(9:41) Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC)
(9:52) Jewish Renewal Movement
(9:54) Lubavitch
(10:05) Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan
(11:32) Rabbi Rami Shapiro
(11:41) Rabbi Shefa Gold
(12:33) Rabbi Lina Zerbarini
(12:49) Rabbi Arthur Wascow
(13:57) Kol Nidrei כל נדרי
(14:03) Tallit - טלית - prayer shawl
(14:55) Sifria - ספריה - library
(17:16) Hallel - הלל
(18:59) Process Theology
(19:05) Alfred North Whitehead
(27:47) Sallie McFauge
(30:16) Olat Reiyah by Rav Kook
(31:09) Anim Zemirot
(31:36) Kaddish
(31:39) Midrash - מדרש - commentary
(31:55) Exodus 20
(33:59) Jewish Mysticism
(39:56) Rabbi Jay Michaelson
(40:13) Eheyeh asher eheyeh - אהיה אשר אהיה - I will be that I will be (Rabbi Toba’s translation). Exodus 3:14
(41:36) B’tzelem elohim - בצלם אלהים - in the Divine image. Learn more here.
(50:15) Hillel vs. Shammai
(55:24) Ki ta'avor bamayim itcha ani uvaneharot lo yishtafucha.
כִּֽי־תַעֲבֹ֤ר בַּמַּ֙יִם֙ אִתְּךָ־אָ֔נִי וּבַנְּהָר֖וֹת לֹ֣א יִשְׁטְפ֑וּךָ
When you pass through the waters I am with you. I won't let the rivers overwhelm you. Isaiah 43:2
Rabbi Shefa Gold’s chant for this line can be found here.