Religion Outside the Box
Weaving humor and scholarship, Rabbi Brian's Highly Unorthodox Gospel is a modern guide to compassion, kindness, and love for others (and self). Rabbi Brian, who left organized religion to teach high school math, wants to remind you that the path is not the goal, and what matters is the goal.
MEET RABBI BRIAN MAYER
Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer (rB) doesn’t rabbi normally. He left synagogue, mainstream Judaism to teach math to inner-city high school students. rB now runs ROTB.org, a worldwide, internet congregation of over 3,000 members. He enjoys constructing small bios, making stained glass lamps, and gaining mastery on the French horn. He lives in Portland, Oregon, has a recently published gospel, and is thinking a lot about pronouns these days. As a friend of gretta's, Rabbi Brian is psyched to share his perspective(s) with West Hill.
"Rabbi Brian has nurtured an extraordinary talent that many never discover and the rest rarely develop: it is the art of learning from the gifts and traumas, the petty annoyances, and heroic achievements that lie down with us at the end of every single day. His Unorthodox Gospel entrusts its readers with wisdom hard-earned, complexities wrestled into clarity, and lightheartedness of every hue. He reminds us of the truths ever-lingering in the spaces between us that, discovered, might make us whole, not only as individuals, but as the human family." -gretta vosper
Readings to complement the them:
First Reading - From the Gospel of Rabbi Brian, Chapter One
Word came to Rabbi Brian in Portland, Oregon, saying, “Proclaim unto the people, ‘The heart of religion is to practice love and kindness.’ And, while you are at it, ask them to stop being jerks and maybe suggest they calm down a bit and accept their finitude.”
“But, disembodied voice,” the over-sized-crocheted-yarmulke-wearing, slim, 5’11”, bearded individual responded, “I don’t rabbi like that anymore. I dropped out of organized religion. I teach math in high schools.”
“Perfect,” says the voice as it then continues, "Take all you’ve learned and write an honest, narrative-driven, big-idea book. And tour around preaching compassion, religious self-empowerment, freedom, and love. For all people, no matter their religious or spiritual leaning. And try to enjoy yourself. And make the book fun.”
Reading two - From the Gospel of Rabbi Brian, Chapter Two
Imagine you and I are in a fantastic, cosmic music academy—a beautiful, large room filled with the shiniest, most beautiful French horns. And imagine I, Rabbi Brian, am the instructor. I explain to you (and all the others there) how to hold the French horn, the most-difficult-to-master brass instrument.
After I have walked you through the positioning, what would you imagine you, and everyone would want to do next? Blow! Make a sound! Of course.
Of course, you want to give it a try. Enthusiastically, I tell you: Go for it! And you do. Everyone tries.
And it sounds horrible.
I imagine we would all laugh, hearing that our collective competence is far from the magical marching band of The Music Man. Do you imagine I would shame you (or anyone) for not being able to play as well as I can, after my four years of practice? (I wouldn’t, and I don’t.)
Let me ask you a question, beloved—with any task at which you are not at level five, near perfect, is shame warranted for your lack of perfection?
Let me answer: No.
Beloved friend. In case you aren't at level five, near perfect at lovingkindness (loving yourself and others), I'd like to help teach you. That’s what this book Rabbi Brian’s Highly Unorthodox Gospel is for.