STOP – my brain is full!

by Jill Maidhof

Do you ever feel like a telling people “STOP–my brain is full! For every piece of information you put into my head from this point forward, another piece will fall out. And I won’t know what piece that is until I need it, so STOP! (Please!)”

For every piece of information you put into my head
from this point forward, another piece will fall out.

I feel like this a lot. Like most of you, I consider myself a lifelong learner, but too often it seems that half of what I’m taught falls right out. If I do manage to remember something, it must be especially meaningful. As the year 5783 begins, I thought I’d share something that I actually remember from each of the four Chai Mitzvah curricula in which I participated. Mind, you these are just the highlights — I actually learned so much more!

1. I learned during a Rosh Chodesh gathering that the letter associated with the month of Tishre is LAMED,  ל. Why? Because this letter, written from below the line of script to far above it, mirrors the emotions we experience between Rosh Hashana and Simchat Torah. Brilliant—and memorable!
2. In Mussar I was struck by the difference between the Jewish conception of humility and the common definition of meekness and deference to others. Jewish tradition defines humility as knowing how much space to take; that is stepping up and out when called to do so, while at all times respecting the space of those around us. I love that!
3. In Jewish Journeys I gained a new appreciation for the maror, bitter herb, on my seder plate, as a fellow learner shared the insight that when we are in a bitter place, feeling stressed and pressured, it means that we are in a place of powerful transformation. “Trust the process,” she said. That’s a learning that I keep with me.
4. During an Aseret: The Big Ten session in which we explored the fifth commandment, to honor our parents, we engaged in a deep conversation about the difficulty of honoring mothers and fathers who were abusive or absent. During a powerful interchange, I came to understand that one way to do so is to rehabilitate the family name by living a life of kindness and integrity. I’ve shared this thought with friends who want to honor their parents, but hate the way that they were treated. It’s been a comforting inspiration to them.

As I said, these are just the highlights! What I most appreciate is that much of my learning came not only from the sourcebooks or facilitator, but from fellow learners. As someone who participates in a variety of learning programs, it’s the intimacy of Chai Mitzvah and free exchange of ideas, that I find most valuable. It’s what stays in my mind.

What do you remember from Chai Mitzvah during the last 12 months? I’d love to hear your highlights, so feel free to share them below — and with your friends. I wish you a healthy happy 5783 during which I know that we’ll make more beautiful memories together.