This week we begin a new book of the Torah called Vayikra, in English it is referred to as Leviticus. The main focus of our parsha of the same name is Korbanot or sacrifices. Why would the first chapter of the third book of the Torah be so focused on sacrifices? It is worth pointing out that “the biblical prophets criticized the sacrificial system for its tendency to deteriorate into form without feeling.” (Etz Chayim 585)
The answer to why the emphasis on sacrifice is two-fold. Firstly, all religions of the time of the bible were based on sacrificial worship and the Israelites could not conceive of religion without it. Second, because of the worshipping of the Golden Calf God realized that the Israelites were struggling with idea of a divine being that was abstract. Therefore, God put forth the sacrificial system as a way for the Israelites to worship God in a concrete tangible way.
Centuries later the way we worship has changed dramatically. We have gone back to a less tangible approach through prayer-offering words from the siddur in Hebrew or from our hearts in whatever language we choose. The beauty of prayer compared with sacrifice is there is not one right way to pray. Each of us has a different way we connect with God. The sacrificial system was very specific and rigid with its form and the way things were done. We have the opportunity today to pray in many different ways, singing together, reciting the words of the siddur together, meditating, and private confessions to God. All of these different ways of prayer are meant to do one thing, bring us closer with God. I believe that is one of the primary goals of prayer-to bring God into my life.
This is the reason the sacrifices were put into place, as a tangible way to bring us closer to God. The root of the word for sacrifice in Hebrew translates as closeness or being close. Our ancestors used these Korbanot/sacrifices to cleave to God the same way we use prayer to deepen our relationship with God and help us grow closer together.
While we may distance ourselves physically from one another, may we continue to use the tool of technology to become closer together as a community.
You are invited to have Shabbat candles, Challah (or any bread), wine (or grape juice), and a pitcher of water and a bowl. We will do the blessings together.
One week into the closing of our building, we have built up incredible virtual connections. We may not be meeting in person, but we certainly have ruach and chizuk, spirit and strength. I am incredibly proud of our community. People have been making phone calls, checking in on one another, and have joined our virtual classes and minyans to strengthen one another. Please read to the bottom of this email to see the full schedule of services and programs. Friday night services will start at 6:00 PM.
This epidemic has challenged us to rethink what community, kehillah, means. It is not tied only to a building. That is our center, it is where we congregate, but our congregation is so much more.
The first word of our double portion is Vayakhel: ויקהל Vayakhel And They Gathered
It calls to me right now. It hits me in such a vulnerable place. Vayakhel shares the same root as kehillah, community. My world view sees that the universe is always expanding, and as such, we are moving away from one another. It is the job of community, religion, and emotional connections, to draw us back together. We must find new and creative ways to connect our kehillah. We can’t congregate like we did just a couple of weeks ago. Anything more than a minyan threatens our safety. So how to we make kehillah? How do we congregate?
The first line of the portion says: וַיַּקְהֵ֣ל מֹשֶׁ֗ה אֶֽת־כָּל־עֲדַ֛ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אֵ֚לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְיְ לַעֲשֹׂ֥ת אֹתָֽם׃ Moses then convoked the whole Israelite community and said to them: These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do:
Rashi makes a funny comment about this verse, saying: The grammar of the word vayakhel means that Moshe was causing a thing to be done, because one does not actually assemble people with one’s hands, but they are assembled by his words, עַל פִּי דִּבּוּרוֹ. I just imagine Moshe trying to move people together, like hearding cats. Rashi points out that words have power in our tradition. The Ten Commandment, Aseret Hadibrot, is better translated as the Ten Utterances, not Commandments. In Bereishit, God creates the world with words. As the prayer states, Baruch sheamar vehaya haolam, Blessed is the one who spoke and the world was created.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said it well: "Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed." -Abraham Joshua Herschel The way to create is to speak outloud. Spoken words are decreased as a result of this virus. We are socially isolated, especially those who live alone, but thanks to those who understand technology much better than I, we have cell phones and video chatting. Think what you need to speak outloud to another person and see where it takes you.
Please see the Zoom Meeting Shabbat Schedule below: Click the highlighted text to join the service. Please use these links, rather than previous ones.
FRIDAY Tot Shabbat with Brooke Time: Mar 20, 2020 05:30 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 108 137 946 One tap mobile +16465588656,,108137946# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Topic: Kabbalat Services Time: Mar 20, 2020 06:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 399 929 797 One tap mobile +16465588656,,399929797# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Time: Mar 21, 2020 08:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 988 107 133 One tap mobile +16465588656,,988107133# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
I hope this email finds you all well as we are going through these trying times.
We want our students to stay connected to the synagogue and the Hebrew School so we created a schedule of Zoom Virtual Hebrew Classes for your child to participate in.
Each weekly class will be approximately 45-60 minutes and will be very engaging, creative and enriching. Please click the bolded area to join your child's class.
We are piloting these online classes, so we hope you will bear with us as we embark on this amazing journey together.
I am here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact me any time at principal@cbohr.org.
Sincerely,
Mrs. O.
Hebrew School Zoom Schedule
Sunday Topic: Pre-Aleph Time: Mar 22, 2020 11:00 AM Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 809 991 277 One tap mobile +16465588656,,809991277# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Wednesday Topic: Bet - Jewish Calendar and Holidays Time: Mar 25, 2020 03:30 PM Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 594 684 440 One tap mobile +16465588656,,594684440# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Topic: Gimel Class - with Cantor Kowitz Time: Mar 25, 2020 04:30 PM Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 625 574 769 One tap mobile +16465588656,,625574769# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Topic: Aleph - Back to the Book Time: Mar 25, 2020 05:30 PM Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 424 595 538 One tap mobile +16465588656,,424595538# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Topic: Dalet - Mitzvot: Caring Through Action Time: Mar 25, 2020 06:30 PM Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 403 668 800 One tap mobile +16465588656,,403668800# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Thursday Topic: Hey - Jewish Values; People Who Live Them Time: Mar 26, 2020 04:30 PM Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 104 603 400 One tap mobile +16465588656,,104603400# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism