Protecting the Earth

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

May  31-June 1, 2019 / 27 Iyar 5779

Shabbat Bechukotai

Torah: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34 / Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

“Protecting the Earth”

Dear Friends,

The opening of this week’s Torah portion strikes a profound environmental message.  God tells the Children of Israel that if they will follow God’s laws and observe God’s commandments, then the rains will fall at the right seasons and the earth and trees will give wonderful food.  The grains and grapes will be abundant.  There will be plenty to eat and everyone will be secure.  The message is that we must live lives of righteousness and justice, taking care of the earth and the environment.  We must avoid habitat destruction, pollution, and the disruption of ecosystems.  We must do what we can to preserve and protect all living creatures and avoid species extinctions.  When we do that, the earth and nature will be there to support us and all living things.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Let us do what we can to protect the earth and the earth will protect us.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Caring for the Land

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

May 24-25, 2019 / 20 Iyar 5779

Omer Day 35

Shabbat Behar

Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 26:2         Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6 - 32:27

“Caring for the Land”

Dear Friends,

This week’s Torah portion teaches us to count the years in 50-year cycles.  We should observe seven cycles of seven years totaling 49 years.  Then on the fiftieth year, a celebration called the Jubilee is proclaimed.  Every seven years, the land is supposed to be left to rest.  No agricultural activities are to happen and the fields are to lie fallow. Plenty of food will still grow from all the seed that was dropped during the last harvest.  But, what is important is that the land is to receive a rest. 

Rashi taught that just as the weekly Shabbat gives people a chance to find renewal, the sabbatical year gives a chance for the land to revitalize.  Maimonides explained that “by releasing the land it will become invigorated; by lying fallow and not being worked it will regain its strength.”

This is a wonderful concept that we can apply to nature in general.  As the human population grows and our affect on the environment increases, we must find a way to care for the land and ensure its future. Even nature and the land need a rest.

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

We’ll Leave the Light On for You

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

May 17-18, 2019 / 13 Iyar 5779

Omer Day 28

Shabbat Emor

Torah: Leviticus 21:1-24:23 / Haftarah: Ezekiel 44:15-31

“We’ll Leave the Light On for You”

Dear Friends,

We all have fears of the dark.  That’s why carrying a flashlight or turning on a cellphone light brings great relief when we can’t see.  Some will turn on a nightlight to give us comfort when we wake in the middle of the night.

When Motel 6 came out with its slogan, “We’ll leave the light on for you,” it touched everyone with a note of kindness and sincerity.  It promised safety in a dark and lonely world.

This week’s Torah portion mentions the kindling of the Eternal Light in the holy sanctuary during the desert wanderings from Egypt to the Promised Land.  It was to burn on and on representing the spiritual and holy nature of the Mishkan, the holy tabernacle.  It represented that God’s presence would always be with the Children of Israel. At Shir Hadash, the Eternal Light in our sanctuary burns on and on as well. It represents God’s presence in our lives. The light means that as we go through life, we are not alone. We are not left in the dark.  It signifies that our Jewish heritage and tradition bring meaning and joy to our lives. The Eternal Light reminds us that our Jewish community is here for us each and every day.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Love Your Neighbor

May 10-11, 2019 / 6 Iyar 5779

Day 21 of the Omer

Shabbat Kedoshim

Torah: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27 / Haftarah: Amos 9:7 - 9:15

“Love Your Neighbor”

Dear Friends,

This week’s Torah portion contains one of the most powerful commandments, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)

In the wake of terror attacks at synagogues, mosques, churches, and other religious institutions around the world, this teaching takes on added significance and importance.  Commenting on the text, ibn Ezra taught that one is responsible to love other human beings because the one God created all of them. The Torah teaches in Genesis that we are all created in the image of God.  Thus, we Jews see that all humanity is connected, despite our differences.  “Love your neighbor as yourself” teaches us to push through misunderstanding in order to build trust.  It motivates us to go beyond that which divides us to foster relationships. It commands us to dispel the hatred by creating bridges of compassion, acceptance, coexistence, and love with all who dwell on earth.

Each one of us can play a role in bringing peace and healing to our world.  Start with “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow