This is my final message for the season, as I am on holiday during July. Balak is an interesting Torah reading with which to say adieu.
We open our morning services with the words “Mah tovu, ohalecha Yaakov…words recited by the non-Jewish sorcerer Balaam when he viewed the tents in the valley below him. He could only recite words of praise for their presence, instead of the curses he had been hired to project over the Israelites. These are comforting words and welcome words.
This week, in Parashat Korach, Korach and a small group of Israelite leaders openly challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. They begin with a plea for Moses to recognize the burden he has assumed, “It is too much for you!” they exclaim but then continue with words far more accusatory…”all are holy and God is among them; why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of God?”
From the Rabbi’s Desk:
Poteach et Yadecha u’masbiah l’chol chai ratzon.
You open Your Hand and all desire is fulfilled. (Psalm 145:16)
These words from Psalm 145, also known as Ashrei, are words of action as well as praise and fulfillment. As Jews we are commanded to take our teachings forward into the world and build what is good; build justice, and build peace. And we have – over many centuries, but certainly most recently with various social, political and labour rights movements where every movement saw considerable Jewish leadership. But we know this. Peace involves more than one hand reaching out. Today, Jews around the world are facing into depths of hatred and violence unimagined, especially as those who lived to see the results of such hatred during the Nazi regime still live amongst us. And even if only a few still live, even only as a remnant, their lives serve as a memory for all time. It is on us to respond. As we stood with others, in these movements, in fighting for justice for all, we ask those same peoples to stand with us. And we open our hands to all those holding a dream for future justice.
Re’eh
August 2, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk • Tags: louwrier, re'eh •
We had such a wonderful Shabbat morning this past week; Ben Louwrier read Torah, led part of the service as he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. What pride we all feel as our young people step up to the bimah and say proudly, “I am a Jew.” A blessing for us all. Mazal tov to Ben and to the entire Louwrier family.
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