Bat Mitzvah readings - can we avoid Leviticus?

[iloverhubarbcrumble]

Can anyone help with some knowledge of dates and readings? I'm not Jewish, my husband is, he and DD belong to - obviously - a rather progressive synagogue where matrilineal descent is not required. DD chooses to be Jewish, fine with me (Christian culturally, non believer), but I recognise that things will become slightly more complicated this year as she will have a bat mitzvah March/April 2011. I plan to get a little more involved with shul, but basically my DH is in charge. I feel my fingers twitching...

So... first date picked was 26 March next year. But this comes with a reading from probably the worst episode in leviticus - god strikes dead two priests (for using the wrong incense?) and burns them to ashes, with alot of description of burnt remains. I've said no, I have a veto, need to find another date. Anyway DH agrees. But - it looks like for much of March and April it's all Leviticus. It's a weird and wonderful collection of 'unclean, unclean' bringing in lepers, menstruation, frogs (I think I made that bit up), you name it.

Is anyone reading this an expert re dates who can direct us to a more inspiring episode or some great poetry. I'm steeped in the old testament from school, love genesis and exodus, celebrate Pesach with the best of them, but I can't go along with gruesomeness and general unpleasantness, however historically interesting.

DD will go and talk to the rabbi, but he takes his time. And I need to take abit of control, because if we're going to do this thing, let's do it in a way that we can all enjoy.

Maybe I'll get flamed a little bit for this? Let's see. And I'm grateful for any pointers!

ilrc

The reading involving the priests is actually one of the most interesting. The commentaries are fascinating - why did they die? Were they drunk, were they so enthusiastic that they thought their piety allowed them to break the rules (good opportunity for a dig at the ultra-orthodox today), had they turned down all potential brides on the basis that they weren't good enough? there's lots of stuff there for your daughter to give an interesting talk as part of the ceremony. It's about as good as it gets in Leviticus. I'm assuming that she's reading it in Hebrew, so the chances are that virtually no-one will understand the more unappetising bits. If it's a progressive synagogue, they may well give a bit of flexibility in terms of exactly which parts she reads.

It's a long time until the narrative recommences in Numbers, and much of that isn't very suitable either (people being swallowed up by the earth, stoned for gathering firewood impaled by priest for fornication, etc).

That was my niece's bat mitzvah portion! You say you have already vetoed it, but I agree with Sam that it would have been an interesting one to study. There is lots of gruesome stuff in the Torah, but you can look at it critically and don't have to take everything at face value.

What does dd say about it? What are her interests?

I don't have any specific suggestions, but there is a web site here with a calendar where you can look up the weekly readings for particular dates.

This is really great - thanks to both of you for your stimulating and very helpful comments.

It's made me think again, especially as the rabbi has just emailed my DH saying exactly the same thing - that this is a particularly interesting piece, asking questions about the priests motivations, one of the best portions she thinks! Certainly not to be taken at face value. Anyway, the veto hasn't been enacted yet! Time to discuss with DD, obviously she's the most important person here.

Think I'm going to enjoy this year!