One of the most powerful teachings in our Torah portion is the second set of tablets that Moshe retrieves from Mount Sinai. What did they do with the shattered tablets you ask, they were kept in the ark along with the whole ones. It’s an amazing testament to the way that Judaism see our broken parts. A life without scars or brokenness is a life not lived. Sometimes our scars are so unique that they are like a finger print. Others are communal, and can be seen in shifts in behavior and the ways we talk to each other.
At the end of this year, we will gather both our broken and whole parts and keep them in our mikdash, our sanctuary, both physical and metaphorical. Our bodies and minds are both considered a mikdash, a holy vessel. We will do a cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of our souls to see where there are scars and where there are none.
“Nothing is more whole than a broken heart.”- Kotzker Rebbe
Our Torah encourages us to accept our fullness. We will also begin our journey back to our communal spaces. Our community prides itself on making anyone who crosses it’s doorway (both physical and virtual) feel accepted and at home. Part of that is to embrace where people are on their journeys, in their wholeness and brokenness. We will continue to uphold this value even when the process of return is bumpy, confusing or uncomfortable.
All you need to do is reach out (rabbi.bernstein@cbohr.org).
Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Bernstein
Please CLICK HERE(online tab) for the Schedule of Virtual Services, Passover Services, Minyans and events.
Young Family Shabbat at 5:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6:00 PM Derash at 9:00 AM Shabbat Services at 9:45 AM
Minyan
Sunday, March 7th at 7:45 PM Sheila Bashkoff and Fran Firouzan have yahrzeit for their mother, Gertrude Goldmark. Sherry Skolnik has yahrzeit for her father, David Zuckerman.
Monday, March 8th at 7:45 PM Martin Kaufman have yahrzeit for his mother, Leona Kaufman.
Celebrations Mazal Tov to Allison and Jon Margulies on the naming of their daughter, Alexis Zoey, and to the grandparents, Ellen & Matthew Margulies and to Uncle Benjamin.
Congregation Beth Ohr 2550 South Centre Avenue Bellmore NY 11710 (516) 781-3072 officestaff@cbohr.org