Bee season.Bee Season By Myla Goldberg Anchor, 2001 From one point of view, this debut novel by Myla Goldberg seems familiar. At its center is a troubled family with sensitive children. For Jewish readers, however, it has deeper meanings. Bee Season sparkles, terrifies and opens new possibilities because it injects ancient Kabbalistic kab·ba·lis·tic or ca·ba·lis·tic or qa·ba·lis·tic adj. Of or relating to the Kabbalah. kab mystical learning and practice into everyday modern life. Eliza Naumann, the young protagonist, becomes a star through her surprising talent for spelling. As her father helps her prepare for spelling bees spelling bee n. A contest in which competitors are eliminated as they fail to spell a given word correctly. Also called spelldown. Noun 1. , he introduces her to Jewish mysticism mysticism (mĭs`tĭsĭzəm) [Gr.,=the practice of those who are initiated into the mysteries], the practice of putting oneself into, and remaining in, direct relation with God, the Absolute, or any unifying principle of life. . And so this nine-year-old learns lessons about the Kabbalah kabbalah or cabala (both: kăb`ələ) [Heb.,=reception], esoteric system of interpretation of the Scriptures based upon a tradition claimed to have been handed down orally from Abraham. and Zohar, joining generations of Jewish mystics who have forced open the doors between the human and the divine. The most striking passages occur as Eliza explores the Kabbalistic disciplines, chanting the ancient incantations that can free the worshipper from the world and convincing the reader that such religious transcendence is possible today. As Eliza gains power, her family fractures. Her mother Miriam, always emotionally absent, slips deeper into insanity, withdrawing from the family and creating a temple full of objects she has stolen. Eliza's older brother Aaron is Aaron ben Nisi was a Jewish ruler of the Khazars mentioned in the Khazar Correspondence. He reigned around the year 900 CE. Little is known about his reign. As with other Bulanid rulers, it is unclear whether Aaron was Khagan or Khagan Bek of the Khazars, although the latter is exiled from his father's inner sanctum because his sister outshines him. He finds a new spiritual home with the Hare Krishnas Hare Krishnas (här`ē krĭsh`nəz), communalistic religious movement, officially known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Founded in New York City (1966) by A. C. , whose chanting, rituals and abnegation provide him a warm community, close to God. At the novel's end, Eliza takes responsibility for her suffering family. To do so, she rejects the otherworldly powers she has gained, turning away from both Kabbalah and spelling. Instead she undertakes the ordinary hard work of being a daughter and a sister to those who need her. This approachable, moving and original novel will spark a serious and personal book club discussion. |
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