Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
Torah Tuesday in (exactly) 100 words
If you want to be a wild holy-person for a spell (and then come back), the ancient Israelites had a process for that: become a Nazir. You take a vow to separate yourself for God. This means no alcohol, no contact with the dead, and no cutting your hair. Your body returns to its natural state, hair unshorn by human implements, mind unaltered by human intoxicants. You become feral, separate from society’s norms, high only on God-life. It’s a social detox. This world would be so different if we each became a Nazir for a season... can you imagine?
Every Tuesday I offer a reflection on the Torah portion of the week -- in 100 words, of course. This week’s Torah portion is Naso, in the book of Numbers, and it introduces the concept of the Nazir and the Nazirite vows. Please share, comment, and join the conversation!
Friends, I’m delighted to invite you to join me on June 18, 7:30pm to celebrate the launch of my new book — The Secret Despair of the Secular Left — with Rabbi David Ingber at the 92nd St. Y in Manhattan. I’ll do a little reading from the book, some conversation with Rabbi Ingber, then schmooze, refreshments, and book signing. I’m excited that this day has finally come and I hope you can be there. In the spirit of the book, it’s in-person only! For more info and to register: https://www.92ny.org/event/ana-levy-lyons.
I can imagine it everyday through the Buddhist practice of unattachment. All things are just manifestations/iterations of skillful means, which enable sentient beings to proceed from one moment to the next.