From the Rabbi’s Desk

I have such an interesting life; I spent Sunday morning learning with three women who want to learn how to leyn (chant) Torah, so we discussed conjunctives and disjunctives, the role of the meteg, and punctuation. This was followed by meeting with a new family and their daughter who is considering learning for her Bat Mitzvah. As I type these words, I am listening to a rehearsal of a play that involves mention of a rabbi, and every time I hear the word rabbi stated so vociferously, I jump! Meanwhile texts arrive about funerals and sadness, about minyan and banana bread, about the stuff of life and death.More

As I write this, I have the blessing of knowing Jack Shalinsky in my heart. A long-time member of Kolot Mayim, Jack and Sharon both were so committed to our shul, to the larger Victoria Jewish community and especially, with great heart, to Israel. As you will know by now, Jack died in the early morning of Shabbat, February 1^st. We will bury him Tuesday. His memory is truly a blessing for us all.

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

With deep love,
Rabbi Lynn

The entrance to the JCC along Shelbourne will 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.”More

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.

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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