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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Good news for skiers ... Should women serve in combat roles? ... Flood watch issued for Sunday ... Good news for skiers ... Should women serve in combat roles? ... Flood watch issued for Sunday ... MOCHAS, MIDRASH AND MYSTERIES Mochas, midrash and mysteries: A new religious myth? Comment By Daniel Murphy DailyTidings.com By Daniel Murphy Posted Dec. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Daniel Murphy Posted Dec. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Last month, my dialogue partner and friend, Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Temple Emek Shalom, wrote richly and wisely about the imperative that religions both stay true to their roots and also be open to true developments — not so much what they stand for, but how they adapt to the changing needs and circumstances of the times. A true and right development of religious thinking and practice is interfaith cooperation and collaboration. It might be considered a sign of our times, given our much more connected world (via travel, social communications, Internet). In the thought of Joseph Campbell and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, it may be a new religious myth for our times. Diversity, as Rabbi Joshua wrote last month, is prized by G-d, who is the creator and sustainer of all life. As in the much-needed arena of multiculturalism, religious diversity enriches, does not diminish, us. It adds to our own faith and spiritual traditions. I would like to share the story of my encounter with one luminous witness to interfaith dialogue and cooperation, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi of blessed memory. On Saturday, May 3, 2014 I received a call and text from a dear person and friend, who participates in a Mussar (spiritual-ethical practice) group at Temple Emek Shalom. “Daniel, you would really love this!” My friend gave me a ticket to an evening panel discussion on old and emerging religious myths, held as a part of a conference at Havurah Shir Hadash on North Mountain Avenue in Ashland. The panel discussion was introduced by Havurah Rabbi David Zaslow. He described metaphor as a unique “portal for/to truth.” Rabbi David posed two guiding questions: What myths are no longer functional — perhaps even toxic — in our faith traditions? What is emerging as a unifying archetype, a myth that speaks to people of our time? Besides Reb Zalman, there were three panelists: A retired Episcopal priest A mythology expert and protégé of Joseph Campbell by way of Dr. Jean Huston An imam (who splits his time between Istanbul and the Bay area) When the fourth panelist, Reb Zalman, spoke, a deep hush came over the large group. He spoke with potency and authority. “Like an ancient patriarch,” I thought to myself. Reb Zalman — then 89 years of age — spoke clearly, with a slow gravitas, as though he were weighing each word for its rightness. He exhorted us to consider an emerging myth, a new paradigm of real ecumenism — one in which we would learn from one another, and forge deeper understandings and creative practices to enrich our own and one another’s faith tradition. Reb Zalman reminded us that “love has a way of broadening things, out of our narrow containers.” Two examples have stayed fresh and compelling to me as illustrations of this mutual enrichment in interfaith dialogue and practice. Reb Zalman recounted an experience of co-creating a Christmas “seder meal” (a ceremonial dinner that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, generally held on the first night of Passover) with a Christian family. This application of a Jewish tradition to a Christian one helped the children to understand their “story” much better. Rabbi David recounted a story in which he and Reb Zalman were present at a Catholic Mass in Jerusalem. The Jesuit priest was offering the Mass in Latin. At the point of consecration (of the bread and wine), the priest faltered, forgetting the Latin. Reb Zalman supplied it. The priest was stunned ... and grateful. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s brilliant, long and fruitful life can motivate us to discover, in his words, “how we can enrich each other. In this way, we discover more space where God can enter.” Interfaith friendship, dialogue and collaboration are an emerging myth that can connect people of religious faith in a dynamic of mutual enrichment. May Reb Zalman’s memory (and legacy) be for a blessing. Daniel Murphy promotes human flourishing through Integrity of Life Services LLC, and is a member of Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Ashland. By Daniel Murphy DailyTidings.com By Daniel Murphy Posted Dec. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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