ChatGPT and Tapestry

By Eric Bressler

Chances are you already know that “Chatbots” are those little “Can I help you?” spots on websites that answer your questions instead of having to search around on your own. In February, a chatbot on steroids, ChatGPT, was released for free public use by the research lab OpenAI. This technology uses “artificial intelligence” and “reinforcement learning from human feedback.” Huh? Suffice it to say that ChatGPT will massively disrupt the lives of many people and parts of society, including writers, students and teachers, computer coders, cybersecurity and more. 

I like writing too much to allow the chatbot to create articles for me. However, as editor of Tapestry, I figured that ChatGPT might change the way the e-zine is written and how various communications at Bet Shalom could be impacted. So I signed up for the free version of ChatGPT to play around with it and show you some examples. There was a learning curve to getting the output I wanted (italic text), depending on the input prompts I gave it (bold text).

I conceived of Tapestry initially from ideas in Ron Wolfson’s books, Relational Judaism and Relational Judaism Handbook. Basically, people continue to participate in Jewish institutions because they know other people in them, not just because of their specific programs and services. New congregants generally know very few others at Bet Shalom. And as our congregation grows and ages, existing members often know fewer people over time. Tapestry is meant to let us learn more about each other and foster new relationships at Bet Shalom. Let me save you the trouble of reading Wolfson’s two books by using ChatGPT:

Summarize the concepts of Ron Wolfson’s Relational Judaism and Relational Judaism Handbook in 150 words or less as if you are writing for a magazine.

Ron Wolfson's Relational Judaism emphasizes the importance of creating strong relationships and building community within the Jewish faith. The key idea is that Judaism should be a relational, rather than transactional, experience. This means focusing on personal connections and fostering a sense of belonging, rather than just fulfilling religious obligations. The Relational Judaism Handbook provides practical tools and strategies for creating more meaningful and engaging Jewish experiences, including ways to build relationships, develop leadership skills, and create a welcoming atmosphere. Wolfson's approach encourages individuals to take an active role in shaping their own Jewish experiences and to prioritize the connections they make with others. The goal of Relational Judaism is to create a vibrant, connected, and supportive Jewish community that is accessible to all.

Not bad, but I had to ask the chatbot twice to get the answer that reflected what I read in the books. And of course this executive summary doesn’t have the convincing, rich detail and the anecdotes of the books.

Write a 150 word D’var Torah about this week’s Torah portion.

This week's Torah portion is Tazria-Metzora, which focuses on the laws of purity and impurity. The portion begins by discussing the laws of childbirth and the purification process for a woman after giving birth. It then goes on to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of various skin diseases, and the process of purifying a person who has been afflicted with the disease of tzaraat.

One of the key lessons we can learn from this portion is the importance of being mindful of our physical and spiritual well-being. Just as the Israelites were instructed to take precautions to prevent the spread of disease and maintain their physical health, we too must take care of our bodies and strive to maintain good health.

Additionally, the concept of impurity serves as a reminder of the spiritual impurities that can afflict us, such as negative thoughts, harmful behaviors, and unethical actions. We must strive to recognize and purify ourselves of these impurities in order to lead a righteous and fulfilling life.

In summary, the laws of purity and impurity in this week's Torah portion remind us of the importance of taking care of our physical and spiritual well-being and striving to lead a righteous life.

Hmmm, possibly useful if you’re not a rabbi. And it was 201 words. Now for something more useful to the average congregant:

I’m not religious. In 150 words or less, tell me why I should attend religious services at my synagogue. Write as if you're writing for a magazine.

Attending religious services at your synagogue can offer a variety of benefits beyond just religious fulfillment. For starters, it's an opportunity to connect with your community, meet new people, and expand your social network. These gatherings provide a space for people to come together and celebrate their shared beliefs, and participating in them can be a way to foster a sense of belonging and purpose.

Moreover, religious services can provide an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. The traditions and practices of your faith can offer guidance and structure, helping you to develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world.

Even if you don't consider yourself religious, attending services can provide a sense of peace and tranquility. The quiet contemplation and meditation that often accompany these gatherings can help to reduce stress and promote well-being.

Well, maybe this ChatGPT thing can be useful after all!

Rabbi Jill Avrin had interesting comments about writing sermons with ChatGPT:

“I have a classmate, Rabbi Joshua Franklin, who recently did something like this - check it out:

The rise of the robo-rabbi?  I like what he said about how sure, ChatGPT can write a factually correct sermon but it is missing the soul… which is something you can only get by understanding what moves your people and what you are moved by, which goes back to the topic of relational Judaism! It can describe relational Judaism, but can it really embody it? I don’t know.”