This week we read the double portion of Nitsavim/Vayelech, being that we will read Nitsavim in synagogue on Shabbat, I wanted to focus on a passage from Vayelech. There is a phrase that occurs twice in this Parsha-Be strong and of courage. Moses first tells this to Joshua when he appoints him as his successor to lead the Children of Israel. Second, at the end of the Parsha G-d tells Joshua, “Be strong and of courage, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land that I promised them on oath, and I will be with you.” (Deuteronomy 31:23) This is the first time G-d speaks directly to Joshua and it is confirming exactly what Moses says to him earlier.
There is an interesting parallel between this Torah portion that we read before the High Holidays and the Psalm for the season of repentance that we say during the month of Elul through the end of Sukkot. The last two lines say, “Had I not trusted that I would see the goodness of G-d in the land of life. Place your hope in G-d, strengthen yourself and he will instill courage in your heart, and place your hope in G-d.” (Psalm 27) There are some interpretations of the words “land of life” as describing the afterlife, I would like to go a different direction. Joshua is charged to be strong and of courage as he is about to bring the people of Israel into this land that symbolizes love, peace and most of all life. It is the place the people of Israel have been traveling towards for forty years. It is a place that God promised them and carries great weight. God knows Joshua will need strength to deal with the people of Israel who pushed Moshe to the brink which is why he repeats the phrase to Joshua.
Today as we are in this time of great uncertainty, it can be easy to lose hope, This virus continues to cripple our economy and we are continuing to lose the ones we love due to it. At the end of Psalm 27 that we say every day during this Month of Elul it encourages us to not lose faith in God, and by doing so we are able to overcome any obstacle. Placing Hope in G-d can be exhilarating and can be a source of renewed strength that can reinvigorate us as we may feel worn down from the state of the world we find ourselves in.
Our faith is the intangible thing as a people that gets us through anything, it has helped us survive horrible events and given us the strength needed to persevere. So as we head into these Days of Awe which will be unlike any year we have experienced prior, I say to you all, “Place your hope in G-d, be strong and he will instill courage in your heart.”
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Kowitz
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MINYAN REQUEST Elayne Berkowitz requests a minyan on Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th. She has Yahrzeit for her father, David Seplowitz.
We will be part of the Stop’n’Shop “GIVE” Bag program again for the month of September. For every reusable “GIVE” Bag bought at Stop’n’Shop, our pantry receives a $1.00. These store locations are at 2450 Jerusalem Avenue, North Bellmore and 2160 South Merrick Mall, Merrick. Please support this program. We have been doing food distribution’s from the pantry since April and every extra dollar we receive goes towards providing food for people in need.
Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Centre Avenue Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 officestaff@cbohr.org
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism