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35. NASO
The Nazirite in us all: Ego, Anokhi, Samson, & Abuse
35. NASO | PARSHAT HASHAVUA (PORTION OF THE WEEK) | Sexuality & Spirituality | What is Jewish Renewal?When Philadelphia P'nai Or's Shabbat-morning Torah-study group gathered to learn Torah on Shabbat Naso (June 2006), something unexpected happened:
As we studied the teachings in Numbers 6 and in the Haftarah about the consecrated role of Nazirite, we found ourselves addressing what happens when a spiritual teacher turns to sexually abusing students and staff subordinates.
The learning was at two levels – in process and in content.
Process first:
When I lead Torah-study, my usual mode is inter-experiential, in which I "weave" more than I "teach," and wisdom arises from the kahal (grass-roots community) rather than through my imposing my interpretation.
Obviously, this is oceans away from a teacher's literally jumping up and down to drive the kahal "higher," and then using the aura of his "hyper-highness" to – you might say – "jump the bones" of students.
