|
The Passover Feast of UnLeavened BreadPassover this year began on a Wednesday evening. It's not quite the same timeing as that of one of the Last Supper, but close enough for those of us in the Diaspora (scattered, outside of Israel ) as we celebrate for eight, not seven days.
There is no doubt that Jesus, who was a Jew, celebrated Pesach (Passover). What seems to be passed over often in Christian theology is that Passover is a festival, which lasts in Israel for seven days. So, if you are a Christian (and if not skip to the next paragraph), please see that the Shabbat (Saturday) when Jesus was in the tomb was a double holiday, of Pesach and Shabbat, and that Jesus rose during the holiday, which continued to be kept by his followers past the transfiguration.
Passover Seders celebrate and commemorate the children of Israel (Jacob's descendants) leaving Egypt where they were slaves. It commemorates a time before the giving of the Ten Commandments, or the blessed ways to life (mitzvoth or laws). As I write this the Seder(s) have been celebrated, and many Christians believe the festival is over. But, it is not. Jews have a week (eight days in the diaspora) of eating Matzoh.
During Pesach, all Jews, including Jesus and disciples and followers are forbidden to eat any leaven. Leaven is the stuff that puffs up bread, cakes, muffins and such. It's yeast and mold and the like.
There are sermons and books, by both Jewish and Christian leaders about leaven. Usually, they make reference to our egos and how we need to drop our self importance, that which puffests us up, and be humble. It is obvious and relevant symbology. Here are the Jews, now freed, leaving Israel after many miracles, including the triumph of the Red Sea parting, defeating Pharaoh's army -- and that's when we are reminded to be humble.
There is another symbology, not usually referenced in our society. The leaven we are to refrain from is that we digest, or own. Jews (and Jesus and the disciples) are not allowed to even own leaven during Passover.
Imaging having to give up whatever makes one feel egotistically proud, better, righter, etc., for these seven or eight days (Diasopra)! Imagine not taking in with one's senses, one's mouth, ears, eyes, touch, and smell. This leaven is anything that makes oneself seem “better” than others. Our Western culture emphasizes products and experiences geared to making a person feel superior, sexier, smarter, in the cutting edge, etc., through a constant barrage of advertising. It is false and we must learn to give the idea of being better than others due to what we own or can take in up.
Passover also points us to beware of what we take in to ourselves. The leaven that we purposefully expose ourselves to – or expose others to in our homes and lives. We need to be careful and selective.
Our minds and brains are wondrously made. An image will stay with us, whether conscious or unconscious. We need to carefully select our imagery, our music, TV, films, video, etc.
As Americans, our First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, however, there is not guarantee that anyone has to listen, view, taste, touch or smell the offering. As members of the audience we have the right not to fill seats, buy newspapers, listen to broadcasts, visit galleries, etc.
Just as there is secondary smoke, which can harm the innocent who are near smokers, we can be exposed to secondary culture . Sometimes this can be uplifting, such as when a company plays good classical music when one is put on hold during a phone conversation. Sometimes it is a clanging visual cacaphony of "Buy me! Buy me!" If you've recently been in Times Square or a similar place, then you've been exposed to it.
You can probably think of many instances of secondary culture exposure. It happens all the time, in stores, at the beach, waiting at stop lights, in elevators, etc. We can be selective and limit our exposure.
If you've been reading my blogs you know that I am preparing a presentation for galleries. In my scouting of galleries I am compiling notes as to which galleries I cannot approach. Some of these are the biggest and most famous in the contemporary art world and some are the most promising galleries for new artists, like me.
However, even if invited by one of these prestigious firms, I have to decline representation. Why? Because I have seen their shows of other artists that would definitely offend my core group of collectors and fans.
A gallery cannot show my work one month and then show what might be also thought of as pornography or blasphemy the next. What if one of my collectors arrived a day late, or assumed that this gallery would only show reverential or inspiring art? I will do my best not to expose others to unwanted secondary culture.
Culture that is puffed up with ego, or seeks to puff us up is never really inspiurational. We never pause in awe of feel fufilled by it. It is "unleavended" bread that feeds our sould. Pause for a moment and recall the great moments in your life when you have felt truly uplifted and imspired by music, art or literature. How was that experience different from other experiences of popular culture?
I admit that I really appreciate it when people tell me how much they like a painting or print or my art. I like it! However, I immediately say that it's the Bible , that all that is really there is the words of the Bible, since I am aware that what is probably resonating in anyone's heart and eyes are the unseen words of the Creator and that even my talent and understanding comes from the Lord. I can take credit in that I allow myself to be used, to be in the flow, to be inspired, in other words, that I can humble myself and let the Creator use me. When there is less of me the artwork is better.
May you be a blessing and be blessed,
Judy Rey |
