From the Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat March 23, 2024/ 14 Adar I, 5784
Shushan Purim is a celebration on this Shabbat, if it was not a Jewish leap year.
Shushan Purim and Purim will be celebrated on Adar II/ Sunday, March 24!
The Torah parsha/portion continues the description of the tabernacle from last week’s Torah portion. This parsha includes the Ten Commandments to include the ner tamid (eternal lamp) above the sanctuary. Aaron and his sons are appointed priests to manage the sacrifices offered in the sanctuary. A description of the clothing worn by the priests, which includes the ephod, breastplate, robe, fringe tunic, headdress, and sash.
The ordination ceremony of Aaron as the High Priest, along with instructions for the slaughtering of the offerings. The parsha concludes with directions for building an altar for burning incense before the ark.
The Torah portion opening lines: “You shall command the Israelites to bring you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually” (Exodus 27:20) The sages saw the light that burned perpetually in the tabernacle as a symbol of Israel, which was to be a “light unto the nations” (Isaiah 42:7). Today, the ner tamid hangs before the holy ark in synagogues, symbolizing the permanence of the Torah and the radiance of the Jewish faith, which like the ner tamid is eternal.
One day soon the Beit Chaverim community will have its own synagogue with an ark and a ner tamid. Many of our congregation may notice that your rabbi and other congregants bend or move certain ways while praying various prayers throughout our services. I will be starting each drash explanation of the beautiful kavanah(a sincere feeling and direction of the heart) while praying. It may appear as shuffling or bending the knee and bowing to G-d. Some may have kavanah or the intention or concentration and pray silently with no motions, which is fine, too.
During Lecha Dodi our congregation rises and faces the entrance to welcome the Sabbath bride. Each bows and recites the lines of the prayer and then turns and faces forward toward the holy ark to finish the prayer. It is as if a bride enters the room and walks up to meet her betrothed under the chuppah. The symbolism is the Israelites/Jewish people welcoming G-d into their community.
During the Aleinu I turn to face the Holy Ark. I take three small steps backward and three small steps forward, recite the opening of the prayer by bending my knees and bowing forward. This symbolizes the way one would approach a king, however our king is G-d. It is to show respect to the Almighty. There is also the bending forward and rising in the middle of the prayer. The raising up one may look upward to the ner tamid and G-d. The Torah and Judaism is a guide to living a full good life.
A little good news coming from Israel is that France was allowed to supply medicine to 45 Israeli Hostages.
As we continue to pray and show our support for Israel to do its diligence to rid the region of Hamas Barbaric Terrorists, and at the same time rescue the 134 remaining hostages, may they have B’Hatzlacha/ Continued success in all their endeavours.
May we never be silent! May we NEVER FORGET!
Shabbat Shalom v’Am Ysrael Chai,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
