Queerly Meeting Elijah the Prophet (March 18 2021)

Ruach HaYam teaching presented by Penina Weinberg March 18 2021

Who is the prophet Elijah? We studied his despair and triumph over the prophets of Baal a couple years ago. Now we will look at some of the other wonderful tales, including his miraculous ascent to heaven and the close resemblance of his life to the life of Moses. We will be preparing to welcome Elijah to our Pesach tables.
“Elijah, whom the Bible portrays as an angry, jealous prophet who fights without mercy and without compromise against the worship of Baal, is transformed in post-biblical Jewish literature into a man of infinite kindness and grace, the benevolent prophet who helps people in need. He appears in Rabbinic academies, reveals hidden mysteries, rescues victims of blood libel, arrives to every Passover seder, is present at every circumcision ceremony, and more.” Shinan, Avigdor, and Yair Zakovitch. From Gods to God: How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends.
This introduction to Elijah will also prepare us to welcome Liam Hooper as co-leader on April 22. Liam is the author of a new book: //Trans-Forming Proclamation: A Transgender Theology of Daring Existence.// Liam reads Elijah with with an eye toward the ethical responsibilities and obligations we have as humans. For Liam, Elijah’s story, as literature, is a story of the human lot that is packed with ethical teaching.

Image: Prophet Elijah going up to heaven, fresco in the Saint Naum Monastery near Ohrid in Macedonia.

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***