Rabbi Lynn Greenhough

Blessed is the one who frees the captive: Three woman came home this week; Romi, Emily and Doron, welcomed by the IDF and their families and friends back in Israel, welcomed with tremendous joy and relief. We continue to pray for the many souls who have “not yet” returned, praying with all our might for their returnMore

This week we begin to read the Book of Shemot, or Exodus.

Shemot is full of stories we are familiar with from our Pesach Seders – the plagues, the resistance on the part of Pharaoh, and the final leaving of Mitzrayim, that place of constriction and narrowness, to begin the return to the homeland of the Israelites. It is a magnificent sequence of events that includes the giving of Torah at Mt. Sinai.

But the first parsha in Shemot opens with how all the peoples of the original 70 souls of the house of Jacob now “were fruitful, teemed, and became strong – very, very much so and the land became filled of them.” Was this actual fact or possibly a perception based on fear?  

I’m five feet tall, yet I have often had people tell me they assume I am taller than I actually am. This aspect of what we might call projection is fascinating – as it is a quality both internally generated and externally perceived. If I feel strong and confident I take up more space – not necessarily physically, but my presence is felt as larger.  We see this same mechanism play out today I think, with Jews. In actual numbers we are less than 0.2% of the world population yet the perception of many is that we have control far beyond what is actually possible. Many think Israel is vastly larger than it actually is. Etc.

I think about this as I read Shemot. A Pharaoh who did not know the Israelites decides to enforce their servitude. The reality of their lives is brutal. Finally, God waits for Moses, and then God’s Presence speaks to Moses from a bush, all aflame. Resistance ensues and finally as Moses agrees, he asks God how he shall tell the Israelites what God’s Name is. Ehyeh Asher Ehey – I will be what I will be. And so, as it evolves, will we. We will be what we will be. A people who have survived, a people who have grown in strength and determination and creativity. A people committed to working hard and bringing light – every Shabbat. We may only be .02%, but each of us is part of that 100% Jewish people.

Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,

With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn

Vayechi is the last parashah in Bereshit/Genesis. “(Jacob) and he lived. Of course, in true Torah fashion we will read of the death of Jacob and of his son Joseph. We read about Jacob’s ‘ethical’ will, his eulogy, the seven days of shiva – all manner of mourning practices we hold to this day. Jacob was carried to the Cave of Machpelah to be buried, to lie with his ancestors.

Today, many of us will be buried apart from our own ancestors – they live too far away, shipping is expensive, the dilemma of where to be buried is very real. If you ever want to discuss this matter with me, please give me a call. I can help you make a plan, and also help you understand what preparations to make to help end-of-life realities easier for your children and your partners. Planning ahead can really help everyone.

Wishing all long life, healthy life, a good life,

With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn

My d’var this past Shabbat re Chanukah: D’var Miketz: Light. Chag Urim Hannukah, Bring light into the world. Be a Maccabee.

We are probably all familiar with the Talmudic story of the small vial of oil that the Jews used to dedicate the Temple after it had been desecrated by the Assyrian-Greeks, and then cleansed. A small vial of oil that should be enough il for one day provided light for eight days. At least, so say the Rabbis of our Talmud many centuries later.

Questions emerge: why eight days? Historically, if we read Maccabees 1 (and 2) we discover a different story. Upon rededication, Hanukah was observed for eight days because the Jews of Israel were unable to observe Sukkot because of the war. So, the eight days of Sukkot became transposed on to the re-dedication of the Temple, and observance of Hannukah.

More

This week, in Vayeshev, we read that Jacob finally settles, he rests in the Land. All the comings and goings that have marked his life until now have ended, and he now simply dwells in the Land. But even as this word implies a settling in, his life quickly and tragically becomes unsettled with the drama of the staged ‘death’ of his precious son, Joseph.

Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht, Man plans and God laughs. We read this phrase in Talmud; perhaps the rabbis were remembering all of the ways we each have been victims of our own hubris.More

Vayetze is such a special parashah for me – and has been for decades. But even I could not have anticipated what this past week brought to us.

We have been needing a second Sefer Torah – for holidays, Rosh Chodesh – all manner of occasions need a second Torah set and ready for reading. This past week I began a conversation with a friend who is a sofer in London England. Marc Michaels is married to Avielah Barclay, a soferet herself, (and FYI,Marc will be our April guest speaker in our lecture series).More

As I work in my office I often eavesdrop on conversations at the front desk: people new to Victoria being welcomed (Hi, Sharon), old friends whose voices I may recognize, all manner of welcomes that make our home at the JCC feel so right.

Latke Madness begins in December so just a heads up – eau de latke will be in the air as we meet for services! Order your latkes soon – the Deli, per se, is closed over these coming weeks, as everyone cooks and cooks and cooks latkes for all! Lots of Hannukah tchotchkes for sale at the JCC – if you drop by check and see if I am in my office!

This week we begin our week Monday morning with Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the new moon indicating the beginning of the Jewish month of Kislev. Hannukah falls on the 24^th of Kislev – this year in conjunction with Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. Here is a link that explains a little more about Kislev and Hannukah –

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/kislev-hanukkah/

So let there be much light with this conjunction of celebration and hope.

Rosh Chodesh holds its own special Torah reading, the singing of Hallel. I am so pleased we can now meet on a weekday and mark some of these particular observances. Please spread the word so we can ensure a minyan every week.

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

We are in a month of celebrations – this past week Asher Russell was called to Torah on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah and this coming Shabbat, Milo Mateer will be called to Torah as Bat Mitzvah. Not only do our young people lead us in prayer, and read from Torah, they give us a thoughtful, d’var, words of Torah. Come and join us – and think about what learning you would like to do over these coming months.

We had three long tables of members and friends joining us for our once/monthly Shabbat potluck dinner. A fun way to get to know each other and share delicious food. Our December dinner will be December 27^th, when we also will be celebrating Hannukah. Mark your calendars!

Wishing you all well as the days seem long and dark. We need to find many ways to bring light into our homes and communities. What are some of your ideas about how we can bring light and hope from Kolot Mayim into our larger community and at the same time bring that light home, into Kolot Mayim?

With love,
Rabbi Lynn

As we look forward to celebrating a Bar and a Bat Mitzvah over the coming weeks, we again are reminded of our obligation to be a community of learners. It takes such courage for our young people to learn and sing in front of us. But I have come to appreciate that their fear is nothing compared to that of’ grown-ups’ – now that fear is monumental. So kol hakavod to everyone who is facing into the challenge of learning new prayers, reading Torah – and then sharing your learning with us.

Learning can be fascinating. I remember being at a Taharah and one of the women present remarked how she had not been able to come for a while and she couldn’t remember how to tie the knots. And then she said, “But my hands will remember.” And they did. So much of what we do as Jews builds wisdom and learning into our hands, our bodies. And we have to learn to trust that learning.

My favourite prayer in the weekday Amidah is as follows: In the blessing known as Ata Chonen we recite: “You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception. Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are you the grantor of wisdom.”

In our hands, and in our souls, may we know all these blessings, of wisdom and perception, and share our own wisdom gently.

With love,

Rabbi Lynn

Thank you to everyone who sent messages to me over this past week – it has been a while since I was laid quite so flat!

This week we open up the book of Vayeira with the teachings of hachnasat orchim – welcoming hospitality. We read of Avraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers with food, and drink. And we read that these three strangers were paying a visit of comfort to Avraham, Bikur cholim, as he was sitting in discomfort from his circumcision.

Two mitzvot, primary to who we are: One asking us to reach with our hands and welcome in and one asking us to extend ourselves beyond our own hands, and hold a hand in comfort. What a beautiful reminder to us all.

Kol ha kavod to all,
Rabbi Lynn