Shavuot: Embracing Our Role in Shaping an Inclusive Torah

As we approach Shavuot, the festival that celebrates the giving of the Torah (and my, without hesitation, favorite holiday), we are reminded of the profound partnership between the Divine and us humans in shaping our sacred texts, laws, and traditions. Rabbi Dr. Art Green, drawing on the Kedushat Levi’s commentary on Devarim Rabbah 3:13, teaches us that to celebrate Shavuot fully means recognizing the great power we have to shape the Torah in this world. We renew our commitment to the Covenant by thanking the Divine for this loving and awesome gift and recommitting ourselves to the great responsibility it implies—that of fashioning lives of teaching and service, knowing that our attempts are not always perfect.

The imagery of black fire and white fire from Devarim Rabbah 3:13 is particularly striking. According to the Kedushat Levi, the white fire includes all colors and alludes to the Divine, who is inclusive of all things and all people. The black fire, on the other hand, excludes all light and color, representing humans. When black and white fire come together, Torah is created. This suggests that Torah is not static; it is a living, breathing document shaped by our engagement and understanding.

This concept emphasizes that Torah is ours to shape through our partnership with the Divine. Our task is to engage with the Torah actively, bringing our full selves into the process and allowing our diverse experiences to inform our understanding and practice. Without this connection, Torah cannot be created, and the Divine cannot create Torah without us.

We believe that Torah (as in, all Jewish teaching) is not a static group of unchanging documents but a dynamic process, developed by humans in conjunction with the Divine over time. This process is progressive, unfolding through history as we continually engage with the text and apply its teachings to our ever-evolving contexts. The Divine inspires us to interpret, question, and expand the Torah, ensuring it remains relevant and inclusive for each generation. This partnership allows us to infuse Torah with our contemporary values and insights, creating a living document that reflects the diverse experiences and identities within our community.

For those of us who are neurodivergent, disabled, queer, or otherwise not heteronormative and neuronormative males, this means creating a Torah that affirms our experiences and identities. Historically, religious texts have been used to marginalize and exclude those who do not fit into normative categories. However, the idea that Torah is shaped by human engagement challenges us to reinterpret these texts in ways that are inclusive and affirming.

As an autistic rabbinical student and autistic autism advocate and activist, I strive to read Torah with an autistic lens. This approach allows us to uncover and challenge the ableism, sexism, and heteronormativity embedded in the text. By doing so, we can create interpretations that honor the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their neurodivergence, physical abilities, gender, or sexual orientation. This work can be considered Neurodivergent Torah (a term coined by my friend and colleague Rabbi Dr. Liz Shayne) because it analyzes Jewish figures, stories, and teachings in a way that gives rise to neurodivergent interpretations of Torah and Judaism. Neurodivergent Torah offers an understanding and meaning beyond mere awareness of diversity; it invites us to interpret characters, customs, laws, and narratives through a lens that highlights the struggles and strengths of neurodivergent experiences, fostering a deeper appreciation of the diversity within our tradition.

Shavuot reminds us that receiving the Torah is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing process of revelation and interpretation. We celebrate by renewing our commitment to engage with the Torah deeply and thoughtfully, bringing our unique perspectives and experiences into the study and practice of Judaism. This is how we honor the partnership between the Divine and humanity—by actively shaping a Torah that reflects the full diversity of human experience.

As we gather to celebrate Shavuot, let us embrace the responsibility of shaping the Torah in ways that affirm and uplift autistic, disabled, feminine, and queer experiences. Let us commit to creating a vibrant, inclusive community where every individual is valued and their voices are heard. In doing so, we not only honor the gift of the Torah but also fulfill our role in the sacred partnership with the Divine.

Chag Shavuot Sameach.