The entrance to the JCC along Shelbourne with be blocked for some time to come. Somehow it seems fitting that the planners for Saanich decided that Shabbat Bo was the week the entrance to our kehillah would be blocked.
In Bo we continue to encounter the hard heart of Pharaoh, his blocking the departure of the Israelites, his arrogance, his intransigence affronted by this demand from Moses to “Let my people go.” As the hostages in Gaza continue to trickle back to Israel we continue this refrain, “Let my people go.”
In the middle of this battle of wills, we find a teaching about Rosh Chodesh – this New Moon Festival. Nisan, the month of Pesach, indicates the New Year of the months. Rosh Chodesh is a very primary Festival – this year Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat falls on Wednesday evening/Thursday this week (30th/31st of January). This commandment to observe Rosh Chodesh is the very first commandment in Torah. Rosh Chodesh does not only provide an indicator of calendar and passage of time, it is also an indicator of our capacity to rise again – just like the sun and the moon.
Rabbi Dan Moscovitz will be speaking with us on February 2nd about the resilience of the Jewish people. Every time we celebrate Rosh Chodesh we are reminded of our longevity, our capacity to bring light into the world, our connection to land and the natural world. So Chodesh tov, let’s celebrate the return of every hostage, and if you can’t get in the front door (or driveway) come through the back.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn
Bo
January 26, 2025 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
The entrance to the JCC along Shelbourne with be blocked for some time to come. Somehow it seems fitting that the planners for Saanich decided that Shabbat Bo was the week the entrance to our kehillah would be blocked.
In Bo we continue to encounter the hard heart of Pharaoh, his blocking the departure of the Israelites, his arrogance, his intransigence affronted by this demand from Moses to “Let my people go.” As the hostages in Gaza continue to trickle back to Israel we continue this refrain, “Let my people go.”
In the middle of this battle of wills, we find a teaching about Rosh Chodesh – this New Moon Festival. Nisan, the month of Pesach, indicates the New Year of the months. Rosh Chodesh is a very primary Festival – this year Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat falls on Wednesday evening/Thursday this week (30th/31st of January). This commandment to observe Rosh Chodesh is the very first commandment in Torah. Rosh Chodesh does not only provide an indicator of calendar and passage of time, it is also an indicator of our capacity to rise again – just like the sun and the moon.
Rabbi Dan Moscovitz will be speaking with us on February 2nd about the resilience of the Jewish people. Every time we celebrate Rosh Chodesh we are reminded of our longevity, our capacity to bring light into the world, our connection to land and the natural world. So Chodesh tov, let’s celebrate the return of every hostage, and if you can’t get in the front door (or driveway) come through the back.
Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,
With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn