Almond Blossom Special

 Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 11-12, 2019 / 2 Tammuz 5781

Shabbat Korah

Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32  /  Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

 

“Almond Blossom Special”

 

Dear Friends,

 

How do we choose our leaders?  How do we know that they possess something special that sets them apart? In this week’s Torah portion, the Children of Israel were complaining and clamoring for new leadership.  Moses gathered the walking staffs of the leaders of the twelve tribes and placed them in the holy tabernacle so that God could choose who will lead.  By morning, Aaron’s staff sprouted almond blossoms – a clear indication of God’s favor.  Thus, Aaron’s tribe, Levi, became the tribe of leadership.  Aaron and his descendants served as priests, or Kohanim. Other Levites assisted them.

 

Today, we look for indications of worthiness and ability when we choose our leaders.  While we have no almond sprouting staffs, we rely on policy statements, speeches, records of achievement, and personality to guide us in our selection.  Hopefully, the leaders we choose will serve with compassion and integrity.

 

Zay a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow