MIDDLEBURY — What happens to sacred text when it has reached the end of its useful life?
Staff at the Middlebury College Libraries will give the public a chance to come find out how some traditions retire their sacred texts this Thursday, Sept. 27, in the program “Sacred Text Burial and Talk with Torah Scribe Kevin Hale,” which will take place at “The Knoll” off Route 125 west of the campus.
Rabbi Hale, a visiting Torah scribe, and the Middlebury College Chaplains will lead participants in a Jewish version of this ceremony and in a multi-faith ceremony. After the texts are buried people are invited to remain at The Knoll to hear from Rabbi Hale about the work of a scribe and how sacred texts are handled in the Jewish tradition.
In the event of rain, the burial will still take place at the Knoll, but the talk will be in Room 219 of Bicentennial Hall from 5:30-6 p.m. Participants are advised to dress for the weather.
This program is co-sponsored by Special Collections and Archives, Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Department of Religion, and Jewish Studies.