[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] Fwd: Judaism and the Blind

carolyn peters drcarolyn-peters at att.net
Sat Apr 17 07:12:04 UTC 2021


Greetings Ohio communities of Fay please read this article from Mrs. Honey Joy.

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Honey Massey <honey_joy at sbcglobal.net>
Date: April 15, 2021 at 9:44:26 PM EDT
To: Carolyn Peters <drcarolyn-peters at att.net>
Cc: Cheryl Fields <cefields55 at gmail.com>
Subject: Judaism and the Blind


:Dear Carolyn, Cheryl Fields asked me to write about Judaism and the Blind.  

  National  Federation for the Blind

From: Honey Massey, Client at Cleveland Sight Center

Re: How Judaism accommodates the Blind and Visually Impaired

In Leviticus, the third book of the Bible (Old Testament), Chapter 19, Verse 14, it states “Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind but fear your God. I am the Lord.”

One can interpret this literally, but metaphorically it is quite profound. We are commanded not to mislead those who perhaps would have less opportunity to know what is correct. It requires us to try to be as clear as possible in our guidance of others and not lead them on the wrong path.

This sounds very enlightened and there is no doubt that the Bible is sensitive to those with disabilities. However, it is also clear that there were some religious restrictions placed on blind people at that time. Because the Torah reader must not make a mistake and he reads for the entire community, and since there were no Braille or large print books, the blind were not allowed to be public readers before the community.

A blind person could not be a Kohen or of the priestly tribe, because the priestly tribe had responsibility for the ritual animal sacrifices. The animal had to be inspected to be ritually pure with no blemishes and slaughtered in a prescribed way, so this position could not be carried out by a blind person. While today animal sacrifice seems harsh and cruel, at the time it was considered acceptable, and even required.

Judaism gives  a path to follow God’s commandments. We know we are not there yet, but we are always seeking ways to get closer to being the holy people that God demands us to be. So, Judaism has taken the steps necessary to accommodate the blind. Our Rabbi told us a story of a blind Rabbinical student who received his ordination after the prescribed years of study. This is because the Bible in now written in Braille, as are all our holy books.

Most Synagogues have prayer books in large print* and/or Braille. I focus on the Cleveland community, but I think this works for all Jewish community organizations across the country.
Other community organizations, such as the Mandel Jewish Community Center and Bellefaire JCB, offer services/support on a case-by-case basis. An example would be at the Mandel JCC Day Camp having a companion counselor. This allows blind and visually impaired children to attend summer camp. Children of all faiths are welcome.

Menorah Park (senior living) has large print* books available and services for those who are visually impaired and living on their campus. This holds true for most senior living dwellings.

Jewish Family Service Association: (JFSA) provides support to help people live as independently as possible in the community. However, that is defined for each person, they will try and assist. The JFSA services are not limited to those of the Jewish faith.

*Large Print and Braille prayer books can be purchased online on Amazon and other websites, such as those listed below:

https://www.alljudaica.com/Large-Print-Prayerbooks-s/1042.htm

https://www.artscroll.com/Categories/PE6.html

http://www.jewishheritage.org/braille.html

JBI International


JBI International
I belong to a traditional synagogue where I have been on the board, served as an usher, and been called to the Torah. Although electronic devices would not be allowed , I use my magnifier and light throughout the service. The goal is to allow people to pray and if this means disregarding the prohibition on using electricity , then that is the case. If you have any  other questions, I will try to respond.
‘Honey Massey

 

 

 



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