This week we read about the rebellious nature of Korach the son of Yitzhar the Levite. Korach initially challenges Moses to an intense duel for holiness and being close with G-d. After the earth swallows up Korach and his immediate followers, the fire pans that they brought were all that were left of them.
Our Torah portion tells us that the fire pans used by Korach were hammered into sheets and plated onto the altar for sacrifices. Why would these fire pans of Korach and his followers have become sacred and be hammered as plating upon the sacrificial Altar? There are a couple different approaches that we learn from the biblical commentators on why this is the case.
A) They have become holy because of the offering that took place. B) The idea of Truth becoming victorious over falsehood C) They are holy because the people who seemed to be rebelling just wanted to become closer with God, or to be of a special service to God-yet this yearning was what cost them their lives.
The fire pans holiness represents the challenges that religion faces as it goes on through time to stay honest, healthy, relevant and true. Korach and his followers show the danger of become complacent and corrupt.
Our Chumash tells us that “Plating the altar with the fire pans of the rebels is meant to remind us of the legitimacy, indeed the potential holiness, of the impulse within each of us to rebel against the stagnation and complacency that can infect religion.” Rituals and practices have had to be adapted and altered in an effort to bring accessibility and greater understanding to all.
COVID has forced us to look at some very difficult questions such as how can we stay relevant while keeping true to our core values and ideas. May the fire pans becoming sacred give us a new understanding of Judaism and how it continues to evolve over time.
May this time show us that we have unlimited potential and how we can use our creativity to overcome obstacles. May we never become stagnant, may we keep our congregation’s spiritual body and soul vibrant and true to the core ideals of being Jewish all while we adapt with the passing of time.
Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Diamond
PLEASE NOTE: There will be a Congregation Meeting & Vote on Zoom for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Budget on Tuesday, June 22nd at 8:00 PM
Starting Friday, July 2nd, we will begin in-person Shabbat Services at 7:00 PM
CLICK HEREfor Zoom Links for all Services, Minyans & Events
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism