Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community, 

A story: 

Two men were fighting over a piece of land between their homes. Their rabbi came by amidst the shouting and after hearing each man claim ownership, the rabbi announced, Now we shall ask the land who it belongs to! The rabbi bent low, placing his ear to the ground to listen. When the rabbi finally stood up, he said, “I have consulted the land and the land says you both are making a big mistake. Neither of you own the land- because eventually, you will return to the land, therefore it is you who belongs to the land. 

We read in Genesis that Gd formed the first person, adam harishon, from the earth. The name of the first person, Adam, comes from the Hebrew word adamah, meaning “earth.” From dust we are born and to dust we return. The reality of death has a way of putting life in perspective. Life is precious, we hear this often, but in the midst of the daily experience of life we can forget what an exquisite gift has been given to us. 

A tenant of Musar, the study of Jewish ethics, is makir et mekomo, the concept of knowing one’s place. Sometimes when we hear the words “know your place” we think of this as an admonishment. But there is an interesting teaching hiding in the Hebrew term mekomo. Mekomo or “one’s place” comes from the same Hebrew root as Hamakom which means “The Place.” Hamakom is also another name for Gd. 

Imagine the spiritual lesson contained in this little word mekomo. Humility is knowing one’s place and humility is also knowing that one’s place is with Divinity.

Our spiritual practice is in the balancing of these two ideas. 

This Shabbas, as we celebrate our time of rest, may we meditate on the what it means to know humility and to be of Gd.

I hope to celebrate with you tonight at services, both in-person and virtually.

​​​​​​​Shabbat Shalom, 

Rabbi Janine Jankovitz