Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community, 

A short message to remind you that KHN’s three-part series on Forgiveness and Judaism taught by Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz begins this Sunday, August 10, at 10 a.m. in person. Don't forget to register here.

It's probably no surprise that I've been thinking about forgiveness a lot at this time of year. I know, like most Jews, that I need to ask for forgiveness from others. This commandment feels obvious to me, probably because we say it so many times out loud as an integral part of our High Holy Day liturgy. But the part I get stuck on is this: what is my obligation towards forgiving others? If I am asking for forgiveness, don't I also have to reciprocate forgiveness to others?

During this time of year we are commanded to ask others for forgiveness for sins we have committed between ourselves and others, but there is no specific commandment saying that we must in turn forgive others who have hurt us. I’ve never found a part of the Torah where Gd says, “Turn to your oppressor, turn to your enemy, and say, 'I forgive you.'” It doesn't exist.

So what does the Torah have to say about forgiveness? I hope you will join me tonight as I will discuss more on this topic, and, of course join KHN on Sunday to learn with Rabbi Ehrenkrantz.

This Shabbat is Shabbat Nachamu, or Shabbat of Comfort. It is named after the Haftorah portion traditionally read this Shabbat from Isaiah which begins, “Nachamu, Nachamu - Be comforted be comforted,  My people, says your Gd.”  Fun fact, this was my father’s Haftarah portion for his Bar Mitzvah and he still remembers how to sing this first part, reminding us that all of these ancient rituals really have a way of sticking with us, even after sixty-six years! He turned 79 last week- Happy Birthday, Abba.

Shabbat Nachamu arrives after our three week mourning period -a time which also includes the holiday Tisha b'Av- comes to an end. In the haftarah for Shabbat Nachamu Gd calls out to the People of Israel, and with love, saying, you have suffered long enough since the fall of the Temple, you are now cleansed of your sins, come close to Me, Your Gd, once again.

I am certain we could all use some comfort at this point. I am certain we could all use a little push to move closer to the Infinite. 

Wishing you a shabbat of comfort and ease. May we be brought closer to Gd, that Infinite Mystery behind the creation of everything, and may we be better to one another. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Rabbi Janine Jankovitz