“Introduction to the Sunday Lenten Old Testament Readings,” by Rabbi Anna Maranta, haKohenet
This enrichment course focuses on the six Sunday Lenten readings from the Old Testament. The Sunday liturgy includes readings from the Torah, the Five Books of Moses; from the Nevi’im, the prophetic section of the Old Testament and from the Ketuvim, the Writings, a section of the Tanach which includes specific books like Psalms.
The 40 days of Lent guide Christians through a period of spiritual growth and of self-examination. Each Sunday’s liturgy focuses on a topic leading up to the Holy Week’s reflection on the Passion and Resurrection. The themes of Sunday Lent readings include Repentance/Teshuvah, Prayer/Tefillah, Fasting/Tzom, and Almsgiving/Tzedakah.
We will read and explore the themes found in the assigned Old Testament texts, explore various commentaries, and then discuss how they may be used in a liturgical setting. As a bonus, I will chant some of the readings in Hebrew. A pdf glossary of key Old Testament/Hebrew Bible study terms will be provided.
At the onset of each class, we will take a moment of silence and then recite a ‘prayer before study,’ as is the custom in the Jewish text study tradition. A pdf of suggested prayers before study will be provided.
The assigned readings and commentaries will be provided as Source Sheets, a typical Jewish study format. It is strongly suggested that you acquire a study bible, preferably the “Oxford Study Bible, Revised English Bible with Apocrypha,” available as an eBook on Google Play for $35.80CAD or on amazon.ca for $<28CAD; new copies are $55CAD.
Active participation is encouraged. Please come to class having read the short biblical readings and several of the commentaries. The source sheets will offer classical, feminist, decolonialist, womanist and other interpretations. (If you are interested in an Orthodox Jewish interpretation, look up the readings on chabad.org) As you read, keep track of your questions and concerns, your thoughts and feelings, as they arise, and use these to guide our discussions.
Course Instructor: Rabbi Anna Maranta, haKohenet
Rabbi Anna Maranta, haKohenet is an Interfaith spiritual leader offering Earth-based Jewish services in person on unceded Algonquin Territory aka Ottawa, Canada and online. She received smicha as a rabbi in 2010, studied with ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, 2009 to 2014; and was ordained as a Kohenet/Hebrew Priestess after three years of study, 2014-17, where she focused on the archetype of the Mourning Woman. She is also a certified death doula, 2019.
She offers spiritual guidance, pastoral counselling, Hebrew Language Instruction, Regular Torah study - in person and online, as well as officiating at all life cycle events. She teaches about Jewish burial practices with Community Deathcare Ottawa.
She posts her writings on Substack: https://annamaranta486198.substack.com/
Her website: annamaranta.ca
