Let Us Go Up

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 4-5, 2021 / 24 Sivan 5781

Shabbat Shelach Lecha

Torah: Numbers 13:1 - 15:41 / Haftarah: Joshua 2:1 - 24

 

“Let Us Go Up”

 

Dear Friends,

 

In this week’s Torah portion, after two years of travel from Egypt, the Children of Israel finally arrived at the Promised Land.  They did not enter immediately. Rather they sent scouts to check things out.  They reported that the Land was good, but there were obstacles to overcome. Joshua urged the people saying, “Let us go up to the land, for we are able.”  However, the people grew frightened and needed to take it slower. So, out to the desert they went for 38 more years until they were ready.

 

After more than a year of lock-down, we have reached the point when we can start re-opening our building for programs, meetings, and services. Our scouts are our Board of Directors, Executive officers, and committees – leaders of our community who have been hard at work guiding us day by day.  We know that the future looks bright, though there are obstacles to deal with as the COVID19 pandemic hopefully winds down.  I say, “Let us go up.”  Let us act responsibly, carefully, and safely as we reopen our beautiful building.  Let us enjoy the many offerings of our synagogue family and celebrate our Jewish heritage and tradition as a community.

 

I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events!

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Racism in the Torah?

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

May 28-29, 2021 / 18 Sivan 5781

Shabbat Beha’alotecha

Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16 / Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7

 

“Racism in the Torah?”

 

Dear Friends,

 

Can we find instances of racism in the Torah?  This week’s portion certainly offers one.  Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses’s wife because she was a Kushite.  Kush clearly refers to the strong and proud kingdoms in the region of Sudan and Ethiopia, whose people were dark-skinned. There was a time long ago when Egypt was ruled by the kingdoms of Kush. So, was it possible that Moses married an African woman? Of course.   Was it possible that Aaron and Miriam were upset that Moses married an African woman? Absolutely.  While some biblical commentators suggest that Kushite might have meant ‘beautiful’ or ‘foreigner,’ I go with the Sudanese explanation.

 

For their misbehavior, Miriam was punished and afflicted with leprosy.

 

Some things don’t change.  Prejudice and discrimination have been with us for a long time.  Yet, we all know that skin color has absolutely nothing to do with how wonderful and valuable each person is. Hopefully, with contemporary understanding, we can finally rid ourselves of the plague of racism.

 

Zay a mentsch – be a good person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Prayer for Israel

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

May 21-22, 2021 / 11 Sivan 5781

Shabbat Naso

Torah: Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 / Haftarah: Judges 13:2 - 25

 

“Prayer for Israel”

 

Dear Friends,

 

As violence and fighting breaks out in Israel, I offer you the prayer for the state of Israel.  It calls for peace and security for Israel and her neighbors. It calls for Israel’s independence as a free nation in its ancient homeland. It calls for honorable, compassionate, and just leadership.  It calls for the life and safety of those who protect Israel.  I encourage you to read it this shabbat.

 

Rock and champion of Israel, please bless the state of Israel, first fruit of the flourishing of our redemption.  Guard it in the abundance of your love.  Spread over it the shelter of your peace.  Send forth your light and truth to those who lead and judge it, and to those who hold elective office.  Establish in them through your presence, wise counsel, that they might walk in the way of justice, freedom, and integrity.  Strengthen the hands of those who guard our holy land.  Let them inherit salvation and life.  And give peace to the land, and perpetual joy to its inhabitants.  Appoint for a blessing all our kindred of the house of Israel in all the lands of their dispersion.  Plant in their hearts a love of Zion.  And for all our people everywhere, may God be with them, and may they have the opportunity to go up to the land.  Cause your spirit’s influence to emanate upon all dwellers of our holy land.  Remove from their midst hatred and enmity, jealousy and wickedness.  Plant in their hears love and kinship, peace, and friendship.  And soon fulfill the vision of your prophet: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.  Let them learn no longer ways of war.”

And let us say: Amen.

 

 

L’Shalom (In Peace),

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Reward

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

May 7-8, 2021 / 26 Iyar 5781

Omer Day 41

Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai / Mevorachim

Torah: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34 / Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

 

“Reward”

 

Dear Friends,

 

How can we explain reward and punishment?  In biblical times and in this week’s Torah portion, the formula seemed simple enough. You were rewarded for following God’s commandments.  You were punished for committing a sin.  Nowadays, it’s not so clear-cut.  Sometimes the evil do get away with it.  Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book explores the conundrum of “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”

 

The way I see it, of course there is randomness in life.  Not everything adheres to a formula.  Nevertheless, our behavior does affect the paths of our lives.  Like on Yom Kippur during the “Unetaneh Tokef” prayer, our tradition teaches that prayer, repentance, and righteous behavior can avert the severity of heaven’s decree. Thus, upright and compassionate actions can tip the balance towards blessing and reward.  For example, while wearing a mask, social distancing, and avoiding crowds won’t offer complete protection, it will greatly reduce the likelihood of spreading the Corona virus.  There is no guarantee.  But our tradition instructs us to live righteously in order to bring the reward of blessing and kindness to the world.  Thus, we and all who dwell on earth will be blessed.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow