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Rabbi's Message

01/14/2022 04:43:00 PM

Jan14

Dear Chevre,

Sometimes we need vision, sometimes we need faith and sometimes we need both of them.

In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Beshalach, the newly free Israelites cross the sea, moving into their unknown future. There’s the miracle of God splitting the sea, and then there’s the rabbinic innovation of Nachshon who courageously walks into the sea before it splits. Rabbi Adam Greenwald says, “Our rabbis read this story into the Torah to teach us that liberation comes only to the courageous. Nachshon’s gift was the ability not only to see the possibility of the moment, but to believe in it strongly enough to be willing to risk wading into the water. [https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/children-of-nachshon/]

This weekend we celebrate the New Year of the Trees with Tu B’Shevat which also connects us to vision and faith. At this time, we often read the story of Honi and the Carob Tree whereby the righteous Honi encounters a man carefully planting a carob tree. “How long will it be before this tree bears fruit?” Honi asked. “Seventy years,’ the man replied. “How do you know you’ll be alive in 70 years?” “Just as I found carob trees when I came into the world,” answered the man, “so I am now planting carob trees for my grandchildren to enjoy.” Planting seeds for future generations takes vision and faith. Even planting our own habits and creative pursuits that may not take shape and blossom for years takes vision and faith.

Finally, this weekend recognizes Rev. Dr. MLK Jr., a man who envisioned a world that was just, equal and better for all peoples regardless of race and class. This vision hasn’t been fully realized but his leadership inspired millions and helped to shift policies and hearts in the direction of justice. All of his work through action, protest and words was born of his vision and faith.

Perhaps we are needing vision and faith in our lives right now, as we may be feeling constricted by the pandemic, bogged down by obligations, experiencing health issues, overwhelmed by the disrupted lives of our children, or many other obstacles. Or perhaps we need vision and faith as we take care of future societal preservation and growth, trying to slow down climate disaster and working to save our earth, and furthering racial justice and equality.

May we be inspired by the themes of the Torah portion, of Tu B’Shevat and of the teachings and life of the Rev. Dr. King. Over this Shabbat, may we take some rest to reconnect with our vision and cultivate our faith.

I look forward to seeing so many of you this evening at Shabbat services leading into the evening program. Please remember to register first:

https://www.kehilathanahar.org/event/pre-zionist-migration-from-russia-to-palestine.html

Also, I hope to see you at the virtual Tu B’Shevat seder on Sunday at 6:30 pm:

SEDER

Shabbat shalom!

Rabbi Diana

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784