Dear Below the Bible Belt Readers,
Thank you for joining this ongoing journey - whether you are a random reader or a daily devotee. I know -it’s a lot!
As we transition today from the historical Books of Kings to the poetics of the Prophets - a few housekeeping notes, an invitation, request, and links to recordings of recent monthly zoom conversations. Coming soon - a bibliography of books and sources cited here, for further reading and exploration.
Today we’re at the threshold between the political and the poetic — ending the Books of Kings and entering the prophetic polemics that protest power and preach peace.
We’ll be traveling with The Prophets for many months. I’m excited for this deep daily dive into unknown territory. What might those ancient rants tell us today- about them, and about us?
Poetic prophecy isn’t just about larger than life polemics. It’s about our inner lives, deep doubts and longing; they offer rupture- and repair, planting seeds for our flourishing, as individuals and as societies.
Isaiah, whom we start listening to today, calls us, still, to wake up from our selfish apathy, to live out loud, to dare to care, to build a better world, for the benefit for all. His dreams are still the ones we yearn for.
I’m excited to finally get to know what he’s all about and why his immortal words are on the wall in from of the United Nations.
Want to jump back on? This is good timing. Isaiah is our daily guide through the middle of August - just in time for Elul, the last month of the Jewish year and the start of the season of reflection and renewal.
I want to thank many of you who take the time for feedback and comments, encouragement and support. It means a lot.
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Coming up later today - THREE MORE POSTS! Isaiah chapter 1 + two separate posts, each with a recording of previous monthly zoom conversations. While paid subscribers are invited to participate in the live event, we’re glad to make these available for all. In the future we’ll have it for you within 48 hours, and all conversations will be on YouTube. We’re on it..
Our next monthly conversation is on Thursday June 15th 2023, 1pm ET.
Got feedback, suggestions, ideas or requests? please send them on.
Thank you for joining me Below the Bible Belt.
Welcome to the Prophets.
Amichai & the Below the Bible Belt Team
Image: The Isaiah Steps, United Nations, NYC. Photo by Amichai Lau-Lavie
Below the Bible Belt: 929 chapters, 42 months, daily reflections.
Become a free or paid subscriber and join Rabbi Amichai’s 3+ years interactive online quest to question, queer + re-read between the lines of the entire Hebrew Bible. Enjoy daily posts, weekly videos and monthly learning sessions. 2022-2025.