FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2022 FROM: RABBI DAHLIA BERNSTEIN
Dear CBO Family
We need the blessing of love more than ever. At this moment of uncertainty and watching as illness and violence take different forms, we, as Jews, are also commanded to look towards the Torah to hold us... and the Torah does not let us down.
Our sacred text gives us the priestly blessing this week:
Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and grant you peace.”’ Let them put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them. (Numbers 6:23-27)
We say this on Friday nights to our children and we say it during our prayers. What is unique about this blessing is that in order to get ready to bless others, the priest actually says a blessing himself.
The blessing begins as all blessings do: "Blessed are you..." and continues: “who has sanctified us with the sanctity of Aaron and commanded us to bless His people with love.
The words themselves are not enough. Love needs to be behind them. We can have a philosophical discussion about whether you can command a person to love, but theories aside, what would happen if we searched inside of ourselves even in moments of despair to locate more love?
There are many reasons not to love, but too much is at stake to let our doubts and insecurities prevail over our values of love, connection and growth.
Reach down deep past fear, disillusionment, and shock and find that source of love which drives you. May we be a nation of priests, reaching inside of ourselves to bless others with love.
MINYAN REQUEST Andrew Nachamie requests an in person minyan on Sunday night, June 12th at 8:30 pm. He has yahrzeit for his sister, Bonnie Nachamie.
REFUAH SHELEIMAH (A SPEEDY RECOVERY)
As a community, we pray for those in need of healing. May they be granted a Refuah Sheleimah - a complete and speedy recovery.
Glen Blackman Judith Feldman Roy Friedenthal Ed Hoffman Gail Kanner Joshua Kanner Donald Lindberg Steven Nachbar Bradley Spitz Eddie Steinman
If there is someone's name that you wish to add or we need to remove, please let us know.
CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE Thank you to Francine & Craig Miller and sister, Lani for sponsoring kiddush in honor of Ally becoming a Bat Mitzvah.
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism