MsDirectorDec 9, 2022
Rabbi Jill Zimmerman

This week's Torah portion is where Jacob wrestles with the mysterious "ish" (angel? himself? Esau's angel?)

It's a profound scene in which Jacob receives a new name: Yisrael - one who wrestles/struggles with God- for which an entire people is named.

I find it a powerful reminder that in Judaism, it's not only ok to question, wrestle, and struggle -but that doing so is part of our deep identity. It is a blessing. #ShabbatShalom #JewishMastodon #Judaism

Dec 9, 2022 at 9:32pmWeb
Show threadTrisResistsDec 9, 2022
@rabbijill this is very timely. Thank you.
Show threadEric SlaterDec 9, 2022
@rabbijill Hi Rabbi Jill! Glad I found you here!
Show threadRabbi Jill ZimmermanDec 9, 2022
@ericsslater hi Eric!
Show threadA L KatzDec 9, 2022

@rabbijill When I say "I have always been grateful to Hebrew School for making me the atheist I am today", I am not saying that derisively at all. There's a joke in it of course, but it's meant really quite fondly. My religious education taught me to question everything. And if the answers didn't satisfy, my job was to ask more questions.

To wrestle more.

Show threadRabbi Jill ZimmermanDec 9, 2022
@Alan keep wrestling
Show threadA L KatzDec 9, 2022
@rabbijill I think of it as "fighting the good fight".
Show threadEmeyekayeeDec 9, 2022
@rabbijill I had a former Jesuit professor who told me the word religion was based on Latin to read again. The idea that one is never done with interpreting or finding meaning in something but especially that elusive higher power.
Show threadRabbi Jill ZimmermanDec 9, 2022
@mikemccarrick I love that!
Show threadEmeyekayeeDec 9, 2022
@rabbijill he was a good dude
Show threadtierranDec 10, 2022
@rabbijill I love this. My 5 y/o daughter at dinner asked me, suddenly, "Is G-d real?" I just smiled and told her she should never stop asking that question.
Show threadRabbi Jill ZimmermanDec 11, 2022
@tierran what a great mom you are. !
Show threadtierranDec 11, 2022
@rabbijill I'm the dad but I'll take the compliment as it was intended 8)
Show threadRabbi Jill ZimmermanDec 12, 2022
@tierran oops! What a great dad you are! What a lucky girl! So sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed!
Show threadPamela Barroway – Biz EditorDec 10, 2022
@rabbijill 💯