French Judaism organizes for the first time “in the afternoonnational, on July 10, in Troyes. The choice of the city is related to the main figure of this religion. In 1040, the medieval city gave birth to Rashi, who would become one of the undisputed masters of world Judaism. His commentaries on the Bible and the Talmud are still authoritative. The Jewish community in Troyes restored “Rashi’s house” has become a place of culture, a museum, a kind of symbolic epicenter of French Judaism and beyond. The sage Rashi, the Hebrew abbreviation of his name, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhak, died on July 13, 1105. This explains the choice of Sunday, July 10 to begin this premiere.
On this menuDay of French Judaism“, titled “Yom Rashi– Yom meansday– conferences-debates, temporary bookstore, art exhibitions, official moment, concerts, humor with a preview show by Michel Boujena. 1000 people were expected, 1400 registered. They will meet for a day”Cube:which hosts this event in the heart of the exhibition center of Troyes.
The initiative belongs to Eli Corcia. Eight months ago, this well-known jurist was elected to the position of president of the Central Consistory, the official body representing this religion in France. He explains the stakes of the match.The purpose of this day, which I envisioned with Maison Rachi de Troyes, is to show the vitality of French Judaism. My first months as president of the Consistory of France were marked by challenging current events, including anti-Semitic crimes and attacks, the commemoration of the Shoah, and threats to freedom of religious practice. But I found it important to create a great, innovative, positive and unifying event. Yom Rashi was born.»
The president of the Consistory, an institution created by Napoleon, as such, is not responsible for worship, which belongs to France’s Chief Rabbi Chaim Corsia, but he must provide conditions for the exercise and protection of worship. religious freedom. At this level, he explains that he does not want toposition yourself“in the recent political context of the country, but repeats its “full alertness“on file”freedom of religious practice“especially.
“We have to talk about a thousand years.»
This opens up the second challenge of this encounter.This day aims to remind our contemporaries that the presence of the Jewish community in our country is more than a thousand years old, as evidenced by the guardian figure of Rashi, the world’s greatest interpreter of Torah and Talmud. It embodies the permanence of Jewish thought and Torah teaching over more than 10 centuries and is a testament to the Jewish anchorage in France. It is often believed that the Jewish presence in France dates back to the French Revolution and the establishment of the Consistory by Napoleon. But we have to talk about a thousand years.»
For this, all Jewish institutions will be present, as well as many civil and religious figures.”The first day of French Judaismwho needs to see others. As for Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne, she was keen to attend, organizers said, but was hampered by a trip to the south of France. Therefore, he will represent the Secretary of State for Youth Affairs, Sarah El-Hayri. The Jewish community in France represents approximately 500,000 people.
Source: Le Figaro
