Unending Love

Rabbi Ben Herman , ,

We are loved, loved, loved

By unending love

An unending love 2x[1]

We are in such a divided world. Often our beliefs come from an echo chamber derived from our news sources. People are in a rush to judge each other. Take the starvation in Gaza. Are you caving into Hamas’ propaganda of kids with genetic diseases posing as emaciated or are you turning a blind eye to the suffering of others, lacking human dignity? Are you holding Israel to an unreasonable standard in feeding the enemy which will deter it from winning the war or are you not showing humanity to innocent children and civilians, preventing a “human disaster” in the words of Ari Shavit? Ezra Klein wrote a poignant piece entitled “Why American Jews No Longer Understand Each Other,”[2] and I encourage those who have not read it to do so on Tisha B’Av.

So much knowledge today requires nuance for which we have no patience. When we rush to judge others, or when we are afraid to speak out, let us remember the Talmudic text that led to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.[3]

There was a nameless man-call him Ploni or Joe Shmo. He was throwing a big party and invited his friend Kamtza. Unfortunately the invitation went to his enemy, Bar Kamtza. Upon seeing Bar Kamtza at his party, Ploni was outraged and said in front of everyone “You must leave!” Bar Kamtza was embarrassed and said “I know we are enemies, but please give me the dignity of staying. I’ll pay for my meal.” Ploni retorted, “Get out of here!” Bar Kamtza said, “Please, I’ll pay for half of the party.” Ploni asserted, “Get out!” “Fine,” Bar Kamtza said, “I’ll pay for the entire thing.” “Security!” yelled Ploni, and he personally escorted Bar Kamtza out.

The aspect not discussed in the story is that the important rabbis present said nothing. They did not try to intervene, nor did they protest Bar Kamtza being publicly humiliated, a crime which according to the Talmud is worse than murder.[4] They let it happen by staying silent. As revenge on those sages, Bar Kamtza said to Caesar, “Those Jews will not sacrifice your choice offerings. Give something and see what will happen.” Caesar sent a sacrifice as a peace offering, which Bar Kamtza nicked in the upper lip, making it unfit to be offered for Israel. The rabbis had a dilemma: what do they do? Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkolos said you can’t offer a treyf animal, for then the people will bring them. Then the people wanted to kill bar Kamtza for bringing a treyf animal and so he wouldn’t report back to the Romans, and Zecharia ben Avkolos said no. Once again the rabbis did nothing. Caesar was furious that the Jews did not offer his sacrifice and waged war against them. Rabbi Yohanan, who lived over 100 years later, said “The Romans destroyed our Temple, burned our Sanctuary, and exiled us from our land because of the excessive humility of Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkolos.”

Tisha B’Av is about remembering the division that led to our displacement and to the humiliation of our people. I often laugh when I hear those who say that all Jews were the same until the Haskalah (Jewish enlightenment) came about and made so many secular. Imagine being alive during the late Second Temple period. I imagine the Pharisees, or proto-rabbis, saying “We have it right-we appeal to the common people through deriving new meaning from Torah into which they can relate.” The Sadducees, on the other hand, would respond, “We have it right-everything is written verbatim in the Torah. Animal sacrifice forever! We are the priestly elites-you are lowly commoners who must listen to us.” The Essenes would say, “We don’t mix with any of you. We are off in the desert, in Qumram, deriving new mystical teachings and staying far away from anyone who would corrupt us.” Then come groups known as the K’naim, or zealots, the most famous being the Sicarii, known for their types of daggers. They would say, “We long for the days before Pompey took us over! We need greater Judea/Israel, and we can achieve it by fighting the Romans! Not only that, but we will burn other Jews’ storehouses of grain, forcing them to join us in fighting against our enemies so that they will have food!” Each group thought they were right and the others were wrong. This baseless hatred led to our people being divided and eventually overrun by the Romans.

When there is hatred and sinat hinam, which caused the destruction of the Second Temple, the response must be to increase our ahavat hinam, unending, intentional love of one another. This requires having respect for others regardless of their opinions and seeking to understand the other out of curiosity, rather than seeking to refute him/her. This is so hard yet necessary to do.

We are on the eve of the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, the ninth of Av, in which we remember not only the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem but also our people being exiled from most of the countries in Europe. I’ll never forget observing Tisha B’Av at the Kotel when I was on Alexander Muss High School in Israel. It was emotionally powerful in a way I cannot put into words. Tonight, in addition to traditional kinot, or dirges, we will read pieces from survivors of Be’eri, Nahal Oz and Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023.

This Tisha B’Av let’s try to have increased love and rahmanut for our fellow Jews as well as for all the people in the world. To counter the hatred that existed between our ancestors and between Ploni and Bar Kamtza, the misunderstandings between the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Sicarii, we need to increase our love for one another. Are we really so self-righteous that we believe that only we have the right answers? Tisha B’Av is the perfect time to reflect on where we are at in terms of our beliefs and how we will move forward in the 7 weeks of consolation that will lead us to Rosh Hashanah.

 I will conclude with a poem by Rabbi Rami Shapiro, An Unending Love,[5] followed by Cantorial Soloist Caitlyn Shannon singing again the chorus of Shir Yaakov’s song We Are Loved based on the poem.

We are loved by an unending love.

We are embraced by the arms that find us

Even when we are hidden from ourselves.

We are touched by the fingers that soothe us

Even when we are too proud for soothing.

We are counseled by the voices that guide us

Even when we are too embittered to hear.

We are loved by an unending love.

Embraced, touched, soothed and counseled,

ours are the arms, the fingers, the voices;

ours are the hands, the eyes, the smiles.

We are loved by an unending love.

We are loved, loved, loved

By unending love

An unending love 2x

[1] We Are Loved | Shir Yaakov

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/20/opinion/antisemitism-american-jews-israel-mamdani.html

[3] Babylonian Talmud Gittin 55b. My version is paraphrased.

[4] Words of Rav Nahman bar Yitzhak Bava Metzia 58b

[5] Rami Shapiro “An Unending Love,” in תפילות זכרון-Memorial Prayers and Special Readings For the House of Mourning, Page 74.

Gratitude to Cantor Noah Rachels

Rabbi Ben Herman , ,

Cantor Rachels-I can’t believe we are finally here at your final Shabbat. You have been a light and an inspiration to so many in our congregation and a partner in the fullest and truest sense to me. You have demonstrated that you are a mentsch from your first day when you got down on your hands and knees to soak up water from our flood rather than running in the opposite direction. Your work ethic is second to none as is your musical talent. You have brought in so many new Torah readers through your patience, dedication and persistence. You started Yom Aharei, a group for those who are grieving, and with your calm, compassionate presence have been a comfort to so many. Your quickness on your feet through humor has enlivened numerous conversations. You ware naturally comfortable talking to people of all ages and at all stages of life, which is rare to find. It has been a treat working with you these past two years.

In our first conversation before your visit to Mosaic Law we were going through the service. You said strongly, “I don’t believe you need to have 2 repetitions of the Amidah.” I admired your ability to strongly express your opinion. You also spoke with me about facing the congregation rather than the ark. When you came to MLC you seemed to want to please others, listening carefully without offering your opinion. I want you to know that people want to hear from you and they will respect your opinion even when they disagree with you. You have so many years of knowledge, wisdom and cantorial voice will shine forth in every situation you are in-not only when you sing.

Today’s Parshat Korach features beauty after tragedy. After the failed rebellion of Korach, Datan, Aviram and the priests, Gd tells Moses to put the staffs of all of the leaders forward and “the staff of the candidate who I choose shall sprout.”[1] Sure enough, Aaron’s staff “brought forth sprouts, produced blossoms and bore almonds.”[2]  The medieval commentator Ibn Ezra asserts, “the words shekadim, almonds, has midrashically been related to the word shoked-watch-in I watch over my word to perform it.[3] By having almonds blossom forth, Gd demonstrated that Gd is always watching over the Israelites and their leader, Aaron.

Cantor Rachels-Gd is watching over you, knowing how special you are as a sweet singer of Israel. Your voice blew us away from your senior cantorial recital and from Day 1, and your kindness, gentleness and thoughtfulness are qualities we will always hold near and dear to our hearts. You will bring your light and joy to Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda in Toronto and as your mentor Jackie Mendelson said at your ordination, “They’re going to love you.” Thank you for all the joy you, Amy and Maya have brought to our congregation in the short but meaningful time you’ve been here. 

As a gift I have a special item. Cantor has been a lifelong Mets fan and while this is great, he hasn’t had an American League team to root for. I will remedy that with this special Toronto Blue Jays Noah Rachels bobblehead engraved with the words Cantorial All-Star. May it bring your new hometown team much luck and good fortune in the years ahead-and may you get on the mound, either to sing the Canadian National Anthem or to throw out the first pitch. Tzetchem l’shalom-may you go in peace, knowing that you always have a home here at Mosaic Law Congregation. 

[1] Numbers 17:20

[2] Numbers 18:23

[3] Ibn Ezra on Numbers 18:23 ד”ה ויגמל שקדים

Noah-I can’t believe we are finally here at your final Shabbat. You have been a light and an inspiration to so many in our congregation and a partner in the fullest and truest sense to me. You have demonstrated that you are a mentsch from your first day when you got down on your hands and knees to soak up water from our flood rather than running in the opposite direction. Your work ethic is second to none as is your musical talent. You have brought in so many new Torah readers through your patience, dedication and persistence. You started Yom Aharei, a group for those who are grieving, and with your calm, compassionate presence have been a comfort to so many. Your quickness on your feet through humor has enlivened numerous conversations. You ware naturally comfortable talking to people of all ages and at all stages of life, which is rare to find. It has been a treat working with you these past two years.

In our first conversation before your visit to Mosaic Law we were going through the service. You said strongly, “I don’t believe you need to have 2 repetitions of the Amidah.” I admired your ability to strongly express your opinion. You also spoke with me about facing the congregation rather than the ark. When you came to MLC you seemed to want to please others, listening carefully without offering your opinion. I want you to know that people want to hear from you and they will respect your opinion even when they disagree with you. You have so many years of knowledge and wisdom which shine forth in every situation you are in.

Today’s Parshat Korach features beauty after tragedy. After the failed rebellion of Korach, Datan, Aviram and the priests, Gd tells Moses to put the staffs of all of the leaders forward and “the staff of the candidate who I choose shall sprout.”[1] Sure enough, Aaron’s staff “brought forth sprouts, produced blossoms and bore almonds.”[2]  The medieval commentator Ibn Ezra asserts, “the words shekadim, almonds, has midrashically been related to the word shoked-watch-in I watch over my word to perform it.[3] By having almonds blossom forth, Gd demonstrated that Gd is always watching over the Israelites and their leader, Aaron.

Cantor Rachels-Gd is watching over you, knowing how special you are as a sweet singer of Israel. Your voice blew us away from your senior cantorial recital and from Day 1, and your kindness, gentleness and thoughtfulness are qualities we will always hold near and dear to our hearts. You will bring your light and joy to Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda in Toronto and as your mentor Jackie Mendelson said at your ordination, “They’re going to love you.” Thank you for all the joy you, Amy and Maya have brought to our congregation in the short but meaningful time you’ve been here. 

As a gift I have a special item. Noah has been a lifelong Mets fan and while this is great, he hasn’t had an American League team to root for. I will remedy that with this special Toronto Blue Jays Noah Rachels bobblehead engraved with the words Cantorial All-Star. May it bring your new hometown team much luck and good fortune in the years ahead-and may you get on the mound, either to sing the Canadian National Anthem or to throw out the first pitch. Tzetchem l’shalom-may you go in peace, knowing that you always have a home here at Mosaic Law Congregation. 

[1] Numbers 17:20

[2] Numbers 18:23

[3] Ibn Ezra on Numbers 18:23 ד”ה ויגמל שקדים

Oh the Places You’ll Go

Rabbi Ben Herman

“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!”

 “You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

“You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.

You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.”

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”[1]

          How wonderful to celebrate our confirmands and our graduates on this special Shabbat. Whether you are graduating Kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school or college, we are most grateful to celebrate you today.

          Our people are also at the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land this week with Parshat Behaalotecha. They are commanded to mark when the ark is raised and to encamp when it is put down. This is preparation for the wars they will fight on their way to Israel. Unfortunately the nation get a “false start” before they make any ground.

          Numbers 11 teaches “the people complained angrily in the ears of Gd and Gd heard and G’ds anger flared and a fire of Gd burned against them…”[2] After this they crave the meat, fish and vegetables they ate as slaves rather than this manna which tasted like coriander seed.[3] The medieval commentator Nahmanides views the correct interpretation as “as they got further away from Mount Sinai, which was near an inhabitable settlement, and entered the great and dreadful wilderness in their first journey, they became upset and said: “What shall we do? How shall we live in this wilderness? What shall we eat and what shall we drink? How shall we endure the trouble and the suffering, and when shall we come out of here?”[4] In other words, Israel is struggling with how will they become independent. While being slaves they knew what was expected of them and had structure to their day. They also were provided with food and shelter. This is no longer the case as they travel through the desert on their way to Israel.

          There is a lesson here for our confirmands and graduates to learn. Becoming independent is not always easy-it means more responsibilities. Some of you will be going to a much larger school next year or with much older kids. Others are moving away from home for the first time. Others are graduating and might be wondering how to navigate getting a job and entering the workforce. When I think of the anticipation as we go from one stage of life to the next I also think of the anxiety and fear that is behind these changes. You’re in good company, yet please be reassured, as we are when we read the Bible, that all’s well that ends well. Our ancestors make it to Israel and set up communities, and you will make it to the next stage of life. View false starts are learning and growth opportunities.

          To our graduates and confirmands as well as those who are finishing their formal education, I want you to remember the following 3 words: learning never ends. There are always new opportunities to expand our mindsets. Part of the reason I’ve done so many rabbinic fellowships, including the one I’m finishing this coming week, is because of the importance of devoting oneself to continuing education. Today we celebrate you and look forward to your having a well-deserved summer break. We can’t wait to hear of the places you’ll go and the people you’ll see as you take the next step in your life journey. Mazal Tov on reaching this special day!

[1] Selected excerpts from Dr Seuss “Oh the Places You’ll Go”

[2] Numbers 11:1

[3] Numbers 11:7

[4] Ramban on Numbers 11:1 ד”ה ויהי העם כמתעוננים

The Wayward Woman (Sotah)

Rabbi Ben Herman , ,

          In Parshat Naso, there is a woman who is accused of an illicit sexual affair. The women needs to drink bitter water with God’s name broken up into it. If her thigh doesn’t sag and her belly doesn’t distend she is innocent; if not she is guilty (Numbers 5:11). All that needed to be done is for the husband to have a רוח קנאה, a jealous spirit, for this procedure to occur.

          What is sad is that a husband can be jealous and accuse his wife of an illicit relationship but not vice versa. A woman who has evidence that her husband has cheated has no recourse, whereas a man is able to force his wife to perform this ritual. The rabbis were uncomfortable with this practice.  In Mishnah Sotah the rabbis made it much less likely for this to occur, saying that the woman needed to be warned about her behavior by two witnesses who then see her in seclusion with another man (Sotah 1:1). Later on in Mishnah Sotah it states that Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai discontinued the ritual of the sotah because the number of men who were adulterers proliferated (Sotah 9:9). It is evidence of shinui haitim, the changing nature of the times. What made sense in one time period did not in another.

          Still the Sotah leaves us feeling very uncomfortable. Three twentieth century commentators, Rabbis Herbert Chanan Brichto, Emanuel Rackman and Yaakov Kamenetsky, said the sotah was used specifically to prove women innocent. Kamenetsky said that if a man suspected his wife, “the doubt will never leave him unless God, so to speak, Himself promises that she is actually pure.”[1] This is further supported by Jacob Milgrom, who asserts that by bringing this to a Kohen, it is taken out of the people’s hands and placed in God’s hands.[2]

          Why focus so much on this Sotah ritual? In truth the entire body of rabbinic literature cites only one example of its implementation: Shemayah and Avtalyon making the freed slave woman Karkemith.[3] Even there there is disagreement as to whether she drank the real waters or a placebo. Regardless of whether that happened, by reading about the Sotah we can learn how our ancestors thought and how that changed over time. I would no longer read it as being about “the wayward women” but rather about an ancient, magical ritual that was used to show that God proclaims innocence and a clean slate.

          As we read the passage on the Sotah as well as the Nazir in my Torah study, who according to the rabbis should be criticized for making an excessive vow, let us recognize that not every biblical passage needs to correspond to our lives today; however that does not mean that there are not lessons that we can derive from them. We have moved from a world of the Sotah to a world of #MeToo, where women’s testimonies are believed and valued. Let us recognize that the Sotah is a vestige of our past that teaches us how society used to function and let us praise God that our society has moved on from there.

[1] In Yosef Lindell Was the Sotah Meant to be Innocent? | The Lehrhaus

[2] Ibid

[3] Mishnah Eduyot 5:6

Pride Shabbat

Rabbi Ben Herman , , ,

          I welcome each of our Christian friends from SARFA, the Sacramento Area Rainbow Faith Alliance, who joined us at the 4th annual Pride Shabbat at Mosaic Law Congregation. I look forward to seeing you at the interfaith service before Pride on Sunday June 15.

In Parshat Naso, we read about all of our leaders bringing gifts into the Tabernacle.[1] Each leader was mentioned individually and was appreciated by what they gave to our people. This was regardless of asking questions about sexual orientation. Everyone was valued for what s/he or they individually contributed.

Pride is here again yet it is a scary time for many. We have an administration that wants to curb the right of those who are LGBTQAI+. One of our Keshet leaders is moving out of the country in part because they and their partner feel safer there. We saw the protest over a trans female winning high jump and triple jump and our state might have its federal funding taken away. Now is the time we must come together in pride to insist on equal rights for the entire LGBTQAI+ community. Our portion reflects that the Tabernacle is a home for all of Israel, a מקדש or consecrated place for everyone to connect with G-d. Just as our ancestors were all welcome to pray and give fits at the Tabernacle to form our own unique, personal relationship with the Holy One, so too are all welcome to pray at Mosaic Law Congregation. Judaism is welcoming to people of every orientation. Look at the thousands who marched in Jerusalem at the pride parade yesterday. Israel is the only country in the Middle East in which this can occur.

          A synagogue is not only a place to play. The Hebrew for synagogue is בית כנסת, house of assembly. It is a place where people gather together for a higher purpose. Rashbam comments that a sanctuary is “a place set aside for meeting.”[2] There are those who do not know that Mosaic Law is a safe space for all to come, and it is important to do a public event like this Pride Shabbat to make everyone aware that Mosaic Law is a welcoming place. Mosaic Law is in a sense a sanctuary, a safe space for everyone to come as they are without fear of attack or reprisal. That is what a synagogue, or house of assembly, is all about.

This evening I affirm that Mosaic Lw is a מקדש, a consecrated place and safe space for all to worship. May we continue to value everyone for who they are and for all that they contribute to our spiritual home. Let us have pride is who we are and for all that we contribute.

[1] Numbers 7

[2] Rashbam on Exodus 25:8

Celebrating Our Past and Celebrating Our Future

Rabbi Ben Herman , , , ,

          So wonderful to see so many of you this morning as we celebrate our congregation as well as volunteer extraordinaire Melanie Cohen’s 80th Hebrew birthday, for which our Kiddush lunch is dedicated. As Rabbi Taff’s return from Israel was delayed, I will start out according to his example. Hopefully he will be back in time to join us for tomorrow night’s Gala.

We are blessed to have reached our 125th anniversary. 125 is no insignificant number. In gematria 125 is represented by the word חזקי, or “my strength.” This is the root that we will say next Shabbat when we complete the Book of Leviticus-be strong, be strong and we will be strengthened. In other words, our collective strength as a congregation comes from each and every one of you.

Parshat Emor reflects this strength. God tells Moses “Instruct Aaron and his sons to be scrupulous about the sacred donations that the Israelite people consecrate to Me…”[1] Each gift or donation, whether monetary, in kind, of time or of resources, is not to be taken lightly. After all, this is God’s home-each synagogue being a מקדש מעט, or miniature sanctuary, resembling the Temple in Jerusalem. There is much to celebrate and much to give this year to reaffirm our commitment to Mosaic Law Congregation.

          What does the term “Mosaic Law” mean? No it is not the law of Rabbi Moses, who we are blessed to have with us today. Our synagogue’s unique name is not to be taken lightly. In fact, one of the reasons given for our being saved from the 1999 firebombing is that the brothers who committed the egregious acts thought that we were a law firm.[2] What is a strange term today was par for the course in the late 19th century. When I teach comparative Judaism in my Intro to Judaism class, I bring the Reform Movement’s Pittsburgh Platform from 1885, which uses phrases such as “Mosaic legislation” and “Mosaic and rabbinical laws.”

          125 years is a long time, and I want to highlight 3 of the leaders of our congregation over those years. I hope these individuals will become household names. The first is Moses Warhaftig z”l. The Warhaftig family was one of 7 who founded Hevrat Torah Moshe-the Mosaic Law Fellowship, incorporated on February 27, 1900. Moses Warhaftig was the driving force behind our congregation. The centennial video even says that during the early years there were times when he was the only member!-though this seems a bit farfetched. Nevertheless, Moses was literally the glue that kept our synagogue together in its early years. As secretary, he signed many synagogue documents MS Warhaftig, NOT “miss” but Moses Solomon.[3] Moses’ dedication, and of course his wife Irma’s, is part of the reason that we are still here today as a congregation.

          Another person I want to highlight is AJ Markowitz z”l. Randy Pollack is one of the few presidents we have had who took on a 3rd year. A select couple have even done multiple stints as president-and one will begin his 2nd stint as president in July. However, AJ Markowitz takes the cake. AJ served as president of our congregation from 1915 to 1940-from World War I through the beginning of World War II. As Executive Director and Past President Caren Rubin said, “he must have had a death wish.” Being President of a congregation is a thankless job. When things go wrong you get blamed; when things go right you rarely get credit. That is why we honor AJ’s dedication to our congregation today.

          The third congregant I want to highlight is Arlene Pearl z”l, the first female president at any conservative synagogue. What a challenge to be the first! In a movement which was not egalitarian (though starting to become so) which did not allow female members of the clergy, we had a female president-and boy she was strong! While I was not privileged to meet Arlene during her lifetime, as she passed away the week following my interview at MLC, I did learn about her from her daughters Sheri and Robin and officiated at her unveiling. She had a dynamic personality and was a trailblazer for all the women following her and all those to come.

          I will not highlight the MLC clergy in the same fashion. With that being said, as your 18th, or “Chai” rabbi (have to keep the gematria going), I am most blessed to preside over our congregation during this auspicious anniversary. I want to do so by not only celebrating our past but by also celebrating our future. This Shabbat we are blessed to celebrate the students in our Mercaz Religious School, for all they have learned and for all they will continue to learn-after all, learning never ends. Today our students led Barchu, Shema/V’Ahavta, Avot and Gevurot, the Torah Service, blessings before and after Haftarah and Ashrei. They will also lead concluding prayers. The past two weeks combined we have been blessed to welcome 7 Torah readers trained by Cantor Rachels-another example of celebrating where we are at and what is to come. Thank you Cantor for having trained so many new readers over your 2 years here. We are blessed to have you and we are all going to miss you.

          As our celebration continues this weekend with Musaf, Kiddush, a special Torah Study on what it means to be holy and the Gala, I want each of us to think about 1 or 2 new things that we can contribute to Mosaic Law Congregation. For some it might be offering to host a first meeting for one of the Dor Hadash Havurot I continue to set up; for others it could be to volunteer to make Kiddush lunch a few times during the year; for others perhaps joining the leadership of our Men’s Club or Sisterhood; others might find joy volunteering in our Mercaz Religious School or Sisterhood Gift Shop; others could be inclined to help greenify our campus or join with Kayamut to have a more sustainable campus. We are as vibrant as the sum of our parts, and each of you is an integral part of what makes Mosaic Law Congregation great. Thank you for your dedication-חזקי-may each and every one of us be strong.

[1] Leviticus 22:2

[2] Other reasons I have heard are that they had the wrong phone number and that they didn’t get down to M alphabetically in their list of synagogues. For more information on the firebombings, see https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AZz5UPZ-wYWhHe3PJoIPeA9JtrRqvOWG/view?usp=drive_link

[3] Thank you to Judy Persin, Chief Archivist of MLC, for her help with this.

Creatures of Light

Rabbi Ben Herman , ,

With Appreciation to Rabbi Mitch Chefitz[1]

          Is there a doctor in the house? This is what I think of when I read Parshat Tazria-Metzora. Who among us loves learning about rashes, discolorations, pus, and scabs besides the dermatologist? However, there is something spiritually moving going on here. It is like when the Israelites complain about the lack of water three days after witnessing the miracle of the Sea of Reeds! God’s reply is כׇּֽל־הַמַּחֲלָ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֤מְתִּי בְמִצְרַ֙יִם֙ לֹא־אָשִׂ֣ים עָלֶ֔יךָ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה רֹפְאֶֽךָ׃-“If you will heed your God יהוה diligently, doing what is upright in God’s sight, giving ear to God’s commandments and keeping all God’s laws, then I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians, for I יהוה am your healer.”[2] God is not a רופא in the physical sense of directly treating afflictions but rather a רופא in the spiritual sense.

          This is the lesson from the Sfat Emet, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger. Whereas other rabbis use Tazria-Metzora to talk about lashon hara, the “disease” of evil speech, as I have done previously, the Sfat Emet goes in a different direction. He bases his comment on the following verse:

אָדָם כִּי־יִהְיֶה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרוֹ שְׂאֵת אוֹ־סַפַּחַת אוֹ בַהֶרֶת וְהָיָה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרוֹ לְנֶגַע צָרָעַת וְהוּבָא אֶל־אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן אוֹ אֶל־אַחַד מִבָּנָיו הַכֹּהֲנִים׃

When a person has on the skin of the body a swelling, a rash, or a discoloration, and it develops into a scaly affection on the skin of the body, it shall be reported to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons, the priests.[3]

          On this verse the Sfat Emet comments:

This verse concerns itself with plagues (afflictions) of the skin. It relates back to when the Holy One commanded Adam to make for himself a garment of skin (עור /o’r). In the Midrash you find it written as a garment of light (since the word for light (אור /o’r) is like the Hebrew word for skin-עור). As is known, it was because of the transgression (of eating the forbidden fruit) that it was necessary that Adam be clothed in such a coarse garment. This is the source of all base corporeality. [4]

            There is a pun here between the word אור, or light, and the word עור, or skin. When God finds out about Adam and Eve’s transgression, the first thing God does is dress them in כתנות עור,[5] garments of skin, as opposed to the כתנות אור, garments of light that they naturally have. Sfat Emet understands Adam and Eve as being creatures of light. He continues:

That’s why Moshe, our teacher was described (as descending from Sinai) with his skin radiant. He had refined the very nature of skin until it shone like a resplendent mirror. But we did not remain at that level (because of the sin of the golden calf). Therefore, the plague (of coarse skin) returned. It is written in the midrash, because of that sin, defects returned.

          Moses descended from Mount Sinai with great light which was covered over upon approaching the golden calf. Sfat Emet concludes, however,

It is also known that there are holes and holes (pores) in the skin. This is so you

should know it is possible for the light to shine through these imperfections. It is

only because of our sins that these pores are clogged, and that darkness covers

the earth. That’s why it says of the plague of tzaraat that it clogs things up.

Therefore, Aaron the priest and his sons were given the power of purification to

atone for the sin of the golden calf.

          Each of us is a creature of light able to bring more light into the world. The pores might be clogged by tzaraat because of our transgressions but we have the opportunity through teshuvah to restore some of the light that was there in the first place.  When we go off track, we can return to our original intention-to bring light into the world and emit light in whatever we touch. We always have the opportunity to do so-no one is too far gone.

One person who did so over the course of his life is David Flax z”l, father of our member Dana Kurzrock, whose first yahrzeit is this week. As I learned at Shloshim, David had a zest for life. One of the words he added in to Kaddish, which Dana added in his memory, is חיים טובים that we should have goodness in life. In striving to do so in his Long Beach Jewish community, David brought much light into the world, and we remember him fondly on this auspicious occasion. My prayer is that in David’s memory, we shake off the course garments of transgression so that, like David, our natural light will brightly shine through. Ken Yhi Ratzon, may it be our will to do so.

[1] https://mitchellchefitz.substack.com/p/my-rosetta-stone?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2146687&post_id=162257184&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1npmze&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

[2] Exodus 15:26

[3] Leviticus 13:2

[4] Sfat Emet Tazria 1881

[5] Genesis 3:1

Pekudei: What Does It Mean?

Rabbi Ben Herman , , , ,

      The meaning of words is very important to me. While I’m not as much of a Hebraist as my teacher, Rabbi Art Green, I value finding out what words precisely mean. That is a question with this week’s Torah portion Pekudei.

          A common origin of the term pakad according to the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew English Dictionary and Lexicon is “to pay attention to, observe with care.”[1] We see this on the first day of Rosh Hashanah when God took heed of Sarah as he had promised (פקד את שרה כאשר אמר) and has her give birth to her son Isaac. Similarly the פקודי המשכן appears to be the accountings of the Tabernacle. In the fifth and final portion of the Tabernacle, we make sure that each of the accoutrements of the Tabernacle are accounted for.

          With that being said in opening 3 different texts I got 3 different translations for Pekudei. In our Etz Hayim Humash it says, “the records of the Tabernacle”[2]; in the Stone Humash it reads “the reckonings of the Tabernacle”[3]; Richard Elliott Friedman translates פקודי as “the accounts of the Tabernacle.”[4] One might say they are all close enough in meaning-we are talking about the entire kit and kaboodle of the chart of accounts of the Tabernacle to show that every detail was noted.

          Rabbi Ovadiah Seforno, a 16th century Italian rabbi, has an interesting comment here. He writes “all the individual components described previously are the ones concerning which the Torah wrote ובשמות תפקדו את כלי משמרת הקדש…ביד איתמר, ‘you shall list by name the objects that are their porterage tasks.’[5] The meaning of the line is that each and every one of these items was important enough to be known by its specific name. In other words, one did not refer to it only by the name of the category of utensils it belonged to, such as “fork,” but one had a name for each fork. This method of naming each item individually contributed to their being of permanent significance.”[6] In other words, don’t underestimate the importance of an item or say that it has been ‘used up’ or ‘outlived its usefulness.’[7]

          This is the lesson we should take from concluding the Book of Exodus with Parshat Pekudei. Rather than merely viewing it and Parshat VaYakhel as carrying out the blueprint that had been previously established in Parshiyot Terumah and Tetzaveh, we should strive to find significance in each of the items listed. For some that might be to examine why some things are listed in one place and not another; for others it might be to see is there something new here-the school of Rabbi Akiva-or is this the same as what came before-the school of Rabbi Ishmael. For others it might be leaving the details, the individual trees, behind and seeing the forest, everything which comprises the mishkan, and how these items parallel those found in Mosaic Law Congregation. For others the focus might be to ask the metaquestion “What does God want from me in this moment?” Wherever we are at, as we enter the eve of the new month of Nisan, it is my hope and prayer that we can imbue whatever we do with meaning and purpose. Ken Yhi Ratzon, may it be our will to do so.

[1] BDB Page 823.

[2] Page 564

[3] Page 531

[4] The Bible with Sources Revealed, Page 185

[5] Numbers 4:32-33

[6] Ovadiah ben Yaakov Sforno, ד”ה אלה פקודי המשכן

[7] See Babylonian Talmud Yoma 71

Strengthening our Relationship with God

Rabbi Ben Herman , , ,

          On Sunday we will get to say “Happy New Year!”  It will be Rosh Hodesh Nisan-the first day of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. We learn in the Talmud that there are 4 new years: the first of Nisan, the new year for festivals; the first of Elul, the new year for tithing animals; the first of Tishrei, the new year for years; and the fifteenth of Shevat, the new year for trees.[1]

          Parshat Pekudei also references this Sunday, the first of Nisan. God spoke to Moses saying, “On the day of the first new moon, on the first of the month, you shall erect the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.”[2] The date that the first House of God is set up is also the new year. The Mishkan represents a new beginning: no longer will Israel be wandering with an intangible God-now God will have a permanent home in the Mishkan, a tangible structure to which we can connect.

          This is a lesson for us as we approach Passover, or Pesach. Throughout the year we might struggle to find a tangible connection with God: on Passover, however, we have so many tangible symbols of God’s presence. For example, the shank bone, זרוע, represents not only the Paschal lamb but also God bringing us out with an outstretched arm, ובזרוע נטויה. Passover, and our special Haftarah HaHodesh, which we will read on Shabbat, come to symbolize that we are at an inflection point, or liminal moment, when we should strive to strengthen our relationship with הקדוש ברוך הוא, with God. That is our task not only for Rosh Hodesh Nisan, but also for the upcoming Passover holiday and the counting of the Omer-that we be centered and grounded as we seek God’s presence in our lives.

[1] Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1

[2] Exodus 40:2

Turning Towards Each Other

Rabbi Ben Herman , , ,

One of the challenges with Parshat Ki Tisa is that it deals with turning away from the proper path rather than turning towards it. After our ancestors made the golden calf, G-d said to Moses “They have been quick to turn aside from the way that I enjoined upon them.”[1] Because they turned away from G-d, G-d turned away from them, proclaiming “I see that this is a stiff-necked people. Now, let Me be, that My anger may blaze forth against them and that I may destroy them…”[2] Moses, however, intervenes, refusing to let G-d destroy Israel. He says words which we repeat every fast day: שוב מחרון אפך והנחם על-הרעה לעמך; “Turn away from Your blazing anger and renounce the plan to punish Your people.”[3] In so doing, Moses makes two very important points: Israel remains G-d’s people as opposed to a “stiff-necked” people independent from G-d, and G-d does not need to turn away from Israel just because they have turned away from Him at this particular moment.

The term “turn away” struck me because of the work done by marriage therapist Dr. John Gottman. Dr. Gottman writes that the married couples he see who turn towards one another at times of conflict stay together 86% of the time, whereas those who turn away from each other stay together only 33% of the time.[4]  In our tradition, G-d and Israel are a couple, bound together by a ברית, or covenant, just as a married couple is bound by a Ketubah. In our portion because Israel has forsaken its end of the bargain, worshiping other gods, G-d is going to follow suit and strike them from the earth-that is until Moses intervenes. He says to G-d, ‘calm down; take a chill pill,’ and he gets G-d to refrain from forsaking the covenant. וינחם ה על-הרעה אשר דבר לעשות לעמו, “G-d forsook the evil that G-d had said he would do to His people.”[5]

There are two reasons to speak about this today. First we are celebrating the milestone 60th anniversary of Ed and Gail Fishkin. This power couple always turns toward each other out of love and affection. Of course like every couple, especially good, old-fashioned New Yorkers, they argue with each other as well as with me at Shabbat Torah Study. However, that’s what makes things entertaining. We should all learn from Gail and Ed to be selfless, generous and of course have an acerbic sense of humor and not be afraid to challenge others.

The second is to celebrate the baby naming of Leona Eli McCracken, daughter of Sara Harbarger and James McCracken. Today Leona was given the Hebrew nameדבורה  סימא, after Sara’s maternal grandmother Elsie and great aunt Dotty. The name Sima means precious, or treasure. Your little 3 month old is truly a treasure who blesses you each and every day with her smile and her cooing. Every time you are stressed, please turn towards this beautiful little face; it should put you at ease. Devorah is the name of our people’s greatest prophetess, who foresaw the defeat of the Canaanites and their general Sisera. In modern Hebrew it means bee. James and Sara, we hope and pray that your little bee will showcase her feistiness and strength, in the example of prophetess Deborah.

Ed and Gail-I know that your love for one another will continue to grow stronger. James and Sara-I know with the new addition of סימא דבורה that your love for one another will blossom in new ways and your family life will flourish.

My prayer for you, Gail and Ed, Sara and James, is that you always turn towards each other and towards your loved ones, recognizing that your family bond and your partnership supersedes any specific issue at hand. Mazal Tov on the celebration of your anniversary and your baby naming. As we celebrate here at Mosaic Law Congregation, let’s sing siman tov u’mazal tov.

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[1] Exodus 32:8

[2] Exodus 32:9-10

[3] Exodus 32:12

[4] https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/

[5] Exodus 32:14