Shabbat Blast

Dear Congregation Beth Ohr,

​​​​​​​In this week's Torah portion, Mishpatim, we learn;
You shall not ill-treat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, I will heed their outcry as soon as they cry out to Me, and My anger shall blaze forth and I will put you to the sword, and your own wives shall become widows and your children orphans. (Exodus 22:21-23)

This is the first of many biblical passages challenging the Israelites to look out for widows and orphans. In biblical society, widows and orphans were particularly vulnerable because they could not inherit property from the deceased. One might then ask, why not craft a more progressive legal system that accommodates such unfortunate situations? Why create a legal system that ensures that certain people will become dependent on the charity of others through mere circumstance? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

In Psalm 82, God exhorts judges to “champion the weak and the orphan; uphold the downtrodden and destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; save them from the grip of the wicked.” We chant this psalm as part of our morning liturgy every Tuesday, as the psalm of the day for the third day of the week. 

Three years ago, I wrote simple melodies for verses from each of the seven daily psalms, and this passage above us what I chose to set for Tuesday’s psalm. 
CLICK HERE to listen to: Shiftu Dal V’Yatom (Psalm 82)
Composed by Cantor Sarah Myerson
Recorded by Cantor Sarah Myerson and Ilya Shneyveys (all voices and instruments)

While I will be away interviewing for a cantorial position this Shabbat, I join with the Congregation Beth Ohr community in wishing a congratulatory Mazal Tov to our adult B’nei Mitzvah. I look forward to connecting next week.

Shabbat Shalom,
Cantor Sarah Myerson

Join us tonight for Shabbat Lounge, generously sponsored by the Israel Committee.