Shabbat Blast

From Cantor Joshua Kowitz

Dear CBO Families,

This week we begin a new book of the Torah, Vayikra or its English name Leviticus. The parsha shares the same name.  Our parsha talks about something new and revolutionary in the Torah that we have never dealt with before: sacrifice. (just kidding, the different types of offerings that were brought into the sanctuary at various times.

As much as I love to talk about meat and barbeque, I would like to focus on Shabbat Zachor. Shabbat Zachor occurs the Shabbat before Purim.  Its name is derived from the Maftir Torah reading (Deuteronomy chapter 25 verses 17-19) The first word of this reading is Zachor. So what are we remembering? We are remembering what Amalek did to us when we traveled through the desert. 
Rabbi Miles Cohen in the Conservative Luach (calendar) states, “The people Israel is commanded to remember what Amalek did and to wipe out his memory.  The Rabbis chose the Shabbat before Purim for this reading to connect the wiping out of the memory of Amalek to the Purim practice of blotting out the name of Haman, who was a descendant of Amalek.

We must always remember our history as Jews; If we do not remember it, history will repeat itself.  That is why we are commanded to remember what Amalek did to us.  As Jews, we have a long history of being oppressed by others, yet we have been strong and resilient. We have survived countless acts of antisemitism.

It is important now more than ever, in 2019, to keep an eye out for the Amaleks or Hamans of today. Amalek represents all those who perpetrate evil against those who seek peace. Amalek was seen in the Pittsburgh massacre, in the recent attack on a Muslim community in New Zealand, and in the shooting of the First Baptist Church in Texas, among others. They may not wear a three-cornered hat or look evil, but Amalek and Haman are out there. We must band together and help one another, doing everything we can to protect human dignity and life.  If we do, then we are blotting out the memory of Amalek and Haman and their legacy will continue to be a failure.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat filled with lots of happiness as we get ready for Purim.
 
Shabbat Shalom,
 
Cantor Kowitz

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