The most recent meeting of the Beit Midrash for the Study of Ethiopian Jewish Religious Texts at Ono Academic College began with Rabbi Dr. Sharon Sharon discussing the concept of wonder in the perspective of Bete Israel (Ethiopian Jewry). The group discussed the place of emotion, happiness and sadness in Ethiopian culture.
Rabbi Reuven Yasu, the co-leader of the Beit Midrash’s programs, summarized the presentation he gave during the previous session dealing with biblical theology and spirituality.
Before getting to the Midrashim, Rabbi Sharon presented Plato’s allegory of the cave and noted how so many of us are locked in our pre-existing ideas that prevent us from seeing the truth, even if the truth could improve our lives. Rabbi Sharon had asked the participants to bring objects that were meaningful to them and they described their significance. He noted that “objects” have immense subjective meaning.
Rabbi Sharon then presented the Bete Israel Midrash Mote Musa which describes the last days of Moses. The midrash paints a portrait of Moses as: Faithful and Devoted to God, Human and Vulnerable, Reflective and Contemplative, Courageous and Accepting, Emotionally Connected, Humble and Servant-Like, a Leader with Legacy Concerns.
Rabbi Sharon then presented Rabbinic Midrashim that described Moses’ last days in a very different manner. A very different portrait of Moses emerges. The participants discussed how they identify with the portrait of Moses in each Midrashic version.
