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.
Please let us all pick up our hands and write letters, emails, phone our government representatives.
Poteach et yadecha,
Rabbi Lynn
Photos: Justice Rosie Abella, Rabbi Avraham Joshua Heschel marching with Rev. Martin Luther King, Picketers after Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
First things first: here are the two links from our Shabbat morning service:
Music links from Shabbat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDwit-4L6aw with Nissim Black and Avi Delavanti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmZGRJlnZ6E Birkat haKohanim meditation.
And from David and Dorothy Torontow, a wonderful video! https://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_the_transformative_power_of_classical_music?language=en – Benjamin Zander has two infectious passions: classical music, and helping us all realize our untapped love for it — and by extension, our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, new connections. Please give this a listen – it is a truly powerful statement about life and music.More
This has been a challenging week for Israel, and for those who deeply love this country, worrying about family and friends who may be in danger.
In conversation with people the same themes comes up: relief that the Iron Dome is doing its work; once congenial Arab-Jewish neighbourhoods, are now areas of fear, horror and worry. Some of us read the news obsessively, some of us avoid all news outlets.
This past Kabbalat Shabbat we listened to Amitai Aricha sing one of the poems written by the Yeminite 17th century poet, Rabbi Shalom Shabazi, or as Gary Cohen spoke of him, the “Shakespeare of Yemen.”More
Emor – Say: a command for Moses to speak to the Kohanim, the priests. Moses is to provide instructions as to the sacredness of their duty to the people Israel.
But the job description of the Kohanim changed post destruction of the Second Temple. Even biblically, as the Kohanim served the people of Israel, with that historic challenge we all became a necessary component of avodah, the duty of service.
This week, in Acharei Mot we read about all manner of forbidden relationships. Included in the list of forbidden relationships – and there are more than you might imagine – is the now infamous 18:22. The word toevah, abomination is used in application to any man who may lie with a man as one lies with a woman. How do we bring understanding to these words, particularly in our Judaism that welcomes people who are in relationships “technically” not sanctioned by Torah?
Leviticus – Vayikra – can really take us into the weeds – or the tzaaras, a leprous-like affliction. So many words devoted to descriptions of this affliction and what is to be done. Yet, even the Rabbis say, “There never was nor will there ever be a rebellious and gluttonous son; why [then] was it written? Study [it] and receive a reward……There never was nor will there ever be a leprous house [requiring destruction]; why [then] was it written? Study [it] and receive reward…” Bavli: Sanhendrin 71a.More
Chukat
June 14, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk Tags: chukat, mayim chayim •
The other evening as Aaron and I were sitting at the supper table we started talking about my family. I had just heard that my Uncle Doug, the last brother of my father’s generation, is going into Hospice.More