Inter-racial relations

Dawn Davidson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:17:46 +0000

In reply to Person of the Week: Tamar Manasseh

You Wrote: "Despite the lack of philosophical support, it has been a sad fact for countless generations that to be Jewish meant being white and often explicitly forbidden to associate with people based on skin color." I am a Christian and apologize in advance for my lack knowledge regarding the use of names from Torah. But, just a quick question, didn't Moses marry an Ethiopian woman, the wife who Miriam and Aaron did not like? Shouldn't we have learned something from this?

Further, it's off topic, but ponder too for me if you would, why did only Miriam get stricken with leprosy when it was both Aaron and Miriam who spoke against Moses? I believe there is something we completely miss about this word. Yes, Miriam is listed first in Numbers 12:1 but it was an Aaron holding the greater office, having even the greater level responsibility (or at least recognized as so). I believe Miriam was stricken and not Aaron because the people were still following her over Moses but that was not in alignment with what was the will of God in the deliverence of the people. Yes she was to serve as a bridge between the people she had always known and a Moses who had not, but it was not a permanent assignment for her. But she did nonetheless serve as a defacto leader (if I can use that term in this way!). The entire camp even refused to move until she was able to rejoin it. Just wondering.

re: "first"

msarko — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:29:22 +0000

In reply to "first" female black rabbi

If you would read the article again, the phrase is "one of the first", not "the first".

"first" female black rabbi

JE — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:14:02 +0000

In reply to Person of the Week: Tamar Manasseh

I don't know where she is studying or when she will graduate but the Reform seminary (HUC) had a black student who either recently graduated or is about to. She was on the Today show several years ago. I just happen to know about her. There could very well be others.

That is no less kavod to this particular woman, but calling her the "first" seems rather unsubstantiated.

Judeo Talk - Comments for "Person of the Week: Tamar Manasseh"

Inter-racial relations

re: "first"

"first" female black rabbi