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Using ChatGPT to write this week’s Torah reflection enlightened me
The Ultimate Labor Saver — And Why I Said No
When I saw an email from my Jewish Meditation and Torah Study Group saying that we needed a leader for the next morning’s meeting, I hesitated. We rotate leadership, with each of us taking turns presenting a 10-minute commentary on the week’s Torah portion, after which the group sits in silent meditation together for the next 25 minutes.
My inclination was to say no, to the request because I didn’t have time. Usually, when my turn comes around, I spend at least a couple of hours reading the week’s Torah portion, consulting my books on Torah, then scrolling through various commentaries online. Then I form my own thoughts about the portion and write a 2–3 page essay on it to present to the group.
The leader’s email reassured us that we need not do anything nearly as involved as that. She said this week’s volunteer could just bring in a poem or something else inspiring to share.
Another member wrote to encourage me to say yes. “You don’t even need to comment on the Torah portion, just speak about dreams and Judaism,” she said, knowing that is one of my favorite topics.
But then I had an idea. I’d just spent a week with my daughter, who lives in Southern…