This week we read my favorite Torah portion, Va-etchannan. It is one of the richest in content, containing both the Aseret Hadibrot (Ten Commandments) and the Shema/V’ahavta. That being said I want to focus not on the Shema nor the Ten Commandments but on a theological idea presented in Chapter 4 of Deuteronomy. After instructing us about observing the laws and following the commandments of the Torah, our Parsha states, “For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is the Lord our God whenever we call upon Him? mind as long as you live.” (Deuteronomy 4:7)
As I read this passage I was struck by its language and it made me think about what it means to have a God that is close and can be called upon. Our Chumash comments on this by saying “Idols are physically close to their worshippers but emotionally distant, incapable of responding. God, though physically removed is emotionally close.” (Etz Chayim 1008)
When I read this section I interpreted it as the idea of creating and developing a relationship with God. I always want to be in conversation with God and find new ways of bringing God into my life. I can do this in a variety of ways: praying-using a siddur and reciting the words in it, speaking to god about the emotions I am feeling and the issues I am dealing with in my life, spending time in nature and reflecting on the creatures of this earth and their creator and the essence of what brought them life.
Listening to music- most of the time it happens to be Jewish music but there are many times I find myself thinking about God and experiencing God through secular music. I have also found meditation helpful as a way to center myself and be with God. These are just a few ways that I try to bring God into my everyday life. The idea is that my relationship to God is not based on being obedient but is based on love and commitment. The love that I have for my family, my friends etc. is all love towards God because we are all connected in one way or another to each other and to God by means of the divine spark that is in each of us.
The commitment is that I am always trying to improve my relationship with God and deepen that relationship by constantly exploring new ways of engaging with God. In this troubling time and this year that seems frightening I ask that you think about how you can engage with God so that God can be close at hand for you and there when you need to call upon God. May we all feel the love of each other and God’s love for us during this time especially and always.
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Kowitz
PLEASE REGISTER ON THE WEBSITE TO ATTEND SHABBAT SERVICES
Minyan Request Wendy Pincus Connelly requests a minyan on Thursday, August 6th at 8:00 PM. She has yahrzeit for her father, Raymond Pincus. Click here to join
Celebrations & Gratitude Thank you to Michael Bigman, Richard Skolnik and the Shabbat Under the Stars Committee for making this event a successful one.
Please let us know if you have any celebrations, including anniversaries, birthdays, college acceptances, honor society, etc. that we can announce in our weekly blast.
Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Centre Avenue Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 officestaff@cbohr.org
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism