BAT QOL

בס"ד


Tamuz 23

After the Kid's Kallah play, which is always a fabulous way to spend Shabbat afternoon during this bi-annual Jew-Do (they had built a giant Merkavah & used it to travel through the sefirot, which was very clever & hilarious, but you really had to be there), I was mysteriously summoned to a gathering of women.

"Bat Qol" literally means "Daughter of a voice". Our Sages, of blessèd memory, taught that the Bat Qol, a voice from heaven, was frequently heard among the ancient Israelites. It became the only unequivocal means of communication betweenus & G@d after the Ru'ach Nevu'ah, Spirit of Prophecy, officially ceased.

I have an announcement to make: apparently, I am a BAT QOL. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, it basically means "Voice of G@d". I think I'll put it on my business card: Aviel Barclay, Soferet & Bat Qol. Seriously, though, I & 9 other youngish women were invited to attend a private ceremony in recognition of women of vision. The title "Eyshet Chazon" is one a woman can earn later in her life through humble leadership & avodah. We witnessed the crowning of 4 new Eyshet Chazons today & 10 women recognised for the important life's work we are beginning which could serve to improve the lot of Jewish women everywhere. These were a new class of "junior Eyshet Chazon" as it were. The Bat Qol, they said, was a voice that came from out of nowhere & spoke the truth. So we 10 were the first initiates. The details of this women's ritual will remain between those of us who were honoured there, as will the names. But I must say that it is a real honour to have Jewish women of the eldering generation truly "see" us.

May our work be only for the sake of Heaven, & may it lead us & the whole Jewish People from strength to strength.

This evening was INTENSELY busy & frantic. The last Shabbes of Kallah is always wierd - everyone scurrying around trying to connect with those they didn't manage to & to share long sentimental good-byes with those they did.

I hid in our room & packed.
Shavu'ah tov.