ANOTHER LOOK AT RACISM, SUBJUGATION, AND EXPLOITATION
In the prayer service on Shabbat (Sabbath) morning we have a prayer בפי ישרים – BerFee Yesharim meaning “in the mouths of the Straight”. I am very careful in this translation because English has subtle differences between “Right” and “Straight”. So Hebrew uses the precise word for “Straight” with the intent being the person who does the “correct” thing.
In my research the oldest version of this prayer that I could find was from English in 1287 and I presume that it is the correct and original version by all logic. Following is the Hebrew version of the prayer followed by my explanation of the issues.
TRANSLATION
In the mouths of the Straight You will be exalted
In the utterances of the Righteous You will be Blessed
In the Language of Followers You will be made Holy
And in the midst of the Holy You will be Praised
ACROSTIC TECHNIQUE
There are a number of literary techniques employed here by the author of this prayer. One is the change in anatomical depth including mouth, words, tongue, and midst. This have similar references in Psalms region chapter 30 through 33. But the most important literary technique is the imbedding of the name Yitzchak or Isaac in the right large letter sequence and Rivka or Rebecca in the third letter of the third word towards the left column. If left alone this would a beautiful prayer with the names of both husband and wife of Isaac and his wife Rebecca. But some rabbi with too much spare time added up the letter values of both names and came up with 515. Then he checked other words and found that Prayer or Tfila also adds up to 515 and decided that according to Jewish traditions of Mehitzah (separation wall in Orthodox synagogues) that they could not allow both Isaac and Rebecca to participate together in a prayer. So they had to scramble the last word of the four verses to “evict” Rebecca. However Agra DeKala correctly points out that both Yitzchak and Rivka prayed together for a child in Breishit 25:21 and G-d answered their prayers giving them a child and totally obliterating the whole Orthodox synagogue separation wall concept.
It should be noted that during the rest of the year the Orthodox Ashkenazi community recites the wrong corrupted version of the prayer but recites the correct version on the High Holidays.
DRILLING DOWN TO THE POINT
In Ethics of Our Fathers or Pirkei Avot in Hebrew Rabbi Yossi the son of Yachanon says “Don’t talk much with a woman”. This continues to degenerate with the prohibition of hearing women singing, obligating them to cut their hair at marriage and wearing horrible ugly wigs, scarves, etc. One can view this as the Jewish Hijab and Burqa that the radical Islamics and Taliban do to their women. They are often not allowed to drive cars, go unescorted, and are subject to beating from the “Modesty Police”. My mother wanted to be a doctor but in Europe you didn’t waste money or resources on girls. So now you think that I am only referring to another century, another religion, etc. But the process is alive and well today with Trumps stacking the Supreme Court and overthrowing Roe v. Wade taking away the most basic rights of women over their own bodies. The women, doctors, etc. have no say in the matter and could lose their license, livelihood, and go to prison for an extended period of time. But this does not end there either. We have prejudicial treatment of women in the workplace and not receiving equal pay for do the same job as a man. Moving from here move to double rape of rape victims, first by the rapist and second by the judicial system and society. Where does it end? A whole lot of thought needs to be done and an entire restructuring of laws, social norms (especially in religions and religious institutions) that have “deified” and institutionalized the injustices and marginalization of women across so many societies.
AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THIS IS EVIL IN THE EYES OF THE LORD
I believe that G-d in his infinite wisdom created man and woman in His image and with the greatest wisdom and compassion. Just for a moment considered the constant daily miracle of you body with all of the senses, electro-chemical systems for digestion, respiration, mobility, dexterity, and on and on. And then take it up to the highest levels of ballet, gymnastics, culture, art, and all that we can achieve. But those who defile our digestive and reproductive systems are defiling the great work of G-d Almighty. Please consider your health when one of these systems fails and how you did not properly appreciate you blessings. And then look around you at those who are less fortunately and once more count all your blessings.
So in conclusion don’t dump your garbage on the L-rd who in His infinite wisdom created us and gave us life to enjoy. And don’t abuse those less fortunate and vulnerable.