Ruach HaYam teaching presented by Penina Weinberg
August 26, 2021

The Hannah Narrative is recited by Jews every year on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the New Year (this year falling on September 7). Through a close reading of 1 Samuel 1 we will prepare ourselves to hear the thunder of change and the quiet inner voice of our souls.   You will find source sheets here: https://tinyurl.com/RuHay-Hannah

Although Hannah is held up as a model of prayer by Jews and Christians alike, how often do we ask what Hannah is actually praying for? What is her heart crying out for? What inner strength does she call on? What external prods and goads does she have? Does Hannah want to be recognized as being more than she appears? Can we as queer folk dig into our transgressive hearts to find a new understanding of Hannah as a woman whose dreams may reach beyond being mother and wife? And what is the role of Hannah’s co-wife, Penninah? Is she a nuisance or a holy troubler of the waters?

You may wish to read a commentary I wrote a few years ago.

You may enjoy this except from Marcia Falk’s Un’taneh Tokef (page 29 in her book “The Days Between”)

A great shofar is sounded
And a voice of slender silence is heard.
The voice is one’s own
a reed in the chorus
a breath in the wind

Banner is an etching by Marc Chagall (1958): “Hannah Evokes the Eternal.” Hannah in red robe is prominent in the foreground and stretching up to pray. Smaller in background is a figure who appears to be uncomfortable or disdainful. A few livestock are looking on.

At 6:45pm ET, meeting will be open for logging in, schmoozing and solving any technical issues. [see below for details]
Study begins at 7:15 ET.

——>>>>>> Zoom login can be found in the Ruach HaYam study room
https://www.studywithpenina.com/ruach_hayam
——>>>>>> Only recognized names will be admitted to Zoom meeting. Please be sure to RSVP

Penina Weinberg is an independent Hebrew bible scholar whose study and teaching focus on the intersection of power, politics and gender in the Hebrew Bible. She has run workshops for Nehirim and Keshet and has been teaching Hebrew bible for 10 years. She has written in Tikkun and HBI blog, and is the leader and founder of Ruach HaYam.

*** Ruach HaYam https://www.facebook.com/groups/Ruach.HaYam/ study sessions provide a queer Jewish look at text, and are welcoming to LGBTQ+ and allies, to any learning or faith background, to all bodies, and friendly to beginners***