Sources Cited in this Video: Genesis 16, where we first meet Hagar. Genesis 21, which Jews read on the first day of Rosh Hashanah. A compilation of rabbinic teachings on Hagar. In Genesis, Hagar and Ishmael are expelled into the desert of Beer Sheva. Today, the only school in Beer Sheva that teaches both Jewish and Palestinian children in both Arabic and Hebrew
I may not know much about Judaism (though I suspect I know more than Beinart) but I thought the point of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is less about criticizing what other people are doing wrong and more about looking at yourself and atoning for your own sins. I can’t recall any part of the Yom Kippur service that involves sitting in judgement of others, isn’t that God’s job, and not yours?
Beinart is in dire need of some introspection but seems to be more interested in judging others. What’s “judge not lest ye yourself be judged” in Hebrew?
Thank you so much for highlighting this topic. The similarity between the Torah and the Quran in relating the story of Hagar or Hajir (which in Arabic means emigrant) is uncanny. Hajir is central to the Muslim faith because of her adamant trust that Allah would hear her pleas and provide her and her son Ismail (Arabic meaning heard by God) with water. According to the Quran she was born in Egypt, was a slave, but of noble birth. She was abandoned by Abraham in a desolate desert and was consumed with the need to find water. Hajir is the reason why Muslims perform the ritual of twaf or circumambulations of the holy Kaaba during Hajj and Umra (pilgrimage), which includes the area where Hajir found water well (zamzam) right near her crying son. It fascinates me that although we are told she never lost her faith in God, the ritual of twaf honors the fact that she was not idle waiting for water- she relentlessly kept running back and forth looking for water and finally found it and praised God for saving her and her son. Most Muslims relate this story that no matter the circumstances keep faith in God and keep working hard to attain the goals you seek with the help of God. Her deep trust in God while doggdly looking for water is a central principle among Palestinians- especially women.
My thinking is a lot simpler. According to mainstream Judaism and Israel, the state of Israel is central to all Jews. In Israel, because half the population controlled by the Israeli government is Palestinian, then the Palestinian situation in Israel is central to the Jews whether they know it or not. Therefore the Palestinian situation is central to all Jews in the diaspora as well.
So on day one we read of Abraham ready to kill his first son by sending him to a sure death in the desert, on the second day we read about him being a breath away from killing with a knife his second son, and elsewhere we read how he gave away his wife to the king as if she was his sister to spare his own life - a nice ancestry to be proud of we got.
I didn't know this was a shared story. As a new mother, it's a story close to my heart. Thank you for always striving to humanize Palestinians. May the Almighty hear all our calls for help.
Love the videos please keep them coming. Love your writing too but listening is so much easier considering so much we have to do taking care of chores everyday. Just love you all around.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. For years I have been, only half-jokingly, saying that all Jewish holidays have the same theme: they hate us, they tried to kill us, we survived again because we are the chosen ones. The talk today was so interesting and indeed welcome. I’m a Jew in my 60s who has not attended services since I was a teenager and doesn’t celebrate Jewish holidays now that my elders are all gone, and I was glad to hear about the surprising story of Hagar and Ishmael. I wish Hebrew school had actually taught any of this. We learned only of our eternal victimization and how God listens only to Jews. It’s the seeds of the current situation in which Israel can self-righteously ignore all the truths about Palestine and israel’s role in victimizing Palestinians. American Jews continue to toe the immoral line that Jews cannot possibly be oppressors or victimizers.
Nothing to apologize for..As a teacher, you work to bring your own knowledge and understanding to listeners.
Your class today I found exceptional. Getting an understanding of the origin and principles of of the Jewish faith is, for me, very enlightening and eye opening.
Amazing SubhanaAllah, thank you for this post! I am muslim and also study religions for fun. I can’t believe the story of Hagar is told even more deeply in the Torah. Muslims commemorate her beau fil faith during our pilgrimage to Hajj and Umrah! Allahu Akbar!
I may not know much about Judaism (though I suspect I know more than Beinart) but I thought the point of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is less about criticizing what other people are doing wrong and more about looking at yourself and atoning for your own sins. I can’t recall any part of the Yom Kippur service that involves sitting in judgement of others, isn’t that God’s job, and not yours?
Beinart is in dire need of some introspection but seems to be more interested in judging others. What’s “judge not lest ye yourself be judged” in Hebrew?
Thank you so much for highlighting this topic. The similarity between the Torah and the Quran in relating the story of Hagar or Hajir (which in Arabic means emigrant) is uncanny. Hajir is central to the Muslim faith because of her adamant trust that Allah would hear her pleas and provide her and her son Ismail (Arabic meaning heard by God) with water. According to the Quran she was born in Egypt, was a slave, but of noble birth. She was abandoned by Abraham in a desolate desert and was consumed with the need to find water. Hajir is the reason why Muslims perform the ritual of twaf or circumambulations of the holy Kaaba during Hajj and Umra (pilgrimage), which includes the area where Hajir found water well (zamzam) right near her crying son. It fascinates me that although we are told she never lost her faith in God, the ritual of twaf honors the fact that she was not idle waiting for water- she relentlessly kept running back and forth looking for water and finally found it and praised God for saving her and her son. Most Muslims relate this story that no matter the circumstances keep faith in God and keep working hard to attain the goals you seek with the help of God. Her deep trust in God while doggdly looking for water is a central principle among Palestinians- especially women.
My thinking is a lot simpler. According to mainstream Judaism and Israel, the state of Israel is central to all Jews. In Israel, because half the population controlled by the Israeli government is Palestinian, then the Palestinian situation in Israel is central to the Jews whether they know it or not. Therefore the Palestinian situation is central to all Jews in the diaspora as well.
So on day one we read of Abraham ready to kill his first son by sending him to a sure death in the desert, on the second day we read about him being a breath away from killing with a knife his second son, and elsewhere we read how he gave away his wife to the king as if she was his sister to spare his own life - a nice ancestry to be proud of we got.
I didn't know this was a shared story. As a new mother, it's a story close to my heart. Thank you for always striving to humanize Palestinians. May the Almighty hear all our calls for help.
Beautiful! And beautiful again and again!
Love the videos please keep them coming. Love your writing too but listening is so much easier considering so much we have to do taking care of chores everyday. Just love you all around.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. For years I have been, only half-jokingly, saying that all Jewish holidays have the same theme: they hate us, they tried to kill us, we survived again because we are the chosen ones. The talk today was so interesting and indeed welcome. I’m a Jew in my 60s who has not attended services since I was a teenager and doesn’t celebrate Jewish holidays now that my elders are all gone, and I was glad to hear about the surprising story of Hagar and Ishmael. I wish Hebrew school had actually taught any of this. We learned only of our eternal victimization and how God listens only to Jews. It’s the seeds of the current situation in which Israel can self-righteously ignore all the truths about Palestine and israel’s role in victimizing Palestinians. American Jews continue to toe the immoral line that Jews cannot possibly be oppressors or victimizers.
Thanks Peter, we needed that
This is just so good. Thank you, Peter. 🙂
More meaningful comments than I heard in synagogue on Rosh Hashanah. Excellent. Thank you.
Nothing to apologize for..As a teacher, you work to bring your own knowledge and understanding to listeners.
Your class today I found exceptional. Getting an understanding of the origin and principles of of the Jewish faith is, for me, very enlightening and eye opening.
Excellent reminder that, if there is indeed one god, he hears all of us, 'belongs' to all of us.
Thank you
Thought-provoking and soul-searching. Thank you.
And another suggestion for the videography ... try looking directly at the camera. This way you will be looking into your audience's eyes.
Amazing SubhanaAllah, thank you for this post! I am muslim and also study religions for fun. I can’t believe the story of Hagar is told even more deeply in the Torah. Muslims commemorate her beau fil faith during our pilgrimage to Hajj and Umrah! Allahu Akbar!