As the Torah Turns

Rabbi Lader’s Weekly D’var Torah

Emor – Lev. 21:1-24:23 (Apr.30/May 1)

Our Torah portion this week is Emor – Lev. 21:1-24:23. Chapter 23 focuses on the “fixed times of the Eternal… the sacred occasions”(Lev. 23:4) – otherwise known as our festival calendar.  Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot – each of these festivals is marked by celebration and thankfulness for the harvest, underscoring our agricultural ties.  Rabbi Michael Hecht, in his collection When the Fire Waits: Prayers and Poems for the Sabbath and Festivals, recalls this connection – and the miracles that occur “While We Sleep” — 

God, You give us the earthAnd life.    We do the work.   We do the worrying. We plow and sow,Weed and hoe.We have to get up early in the morning.So much can go wrong.     But while we sleep    The crops spring up in secret.    We never catch them growing. One day — Responding to the sunlight and the rainAs much as to our labors — They are ripe.     We do the work, and the worrying,    But while we sleep, they grow.    While we rest, You do Your work. And You ask nothing from us but a token:”When you come to the land which I am giving youAnd reap its harvest,Then bring an Omer-full of the first of the harvest…To the Eternal…” (Lev. 23:10)     From all Israel just an Omer,    A small measure of grain,    Just a reminder of what You do     While we sleep. Life is so hard!There is no end to our problems.We cannot work fast enough to keep ahead.  

        But in the sleep of the night    Comes healing.    The universe goes on without our help.    We are refreshed by doing nothing.    By trusting in Your presence. Thank You for keeping watch in the night.Thank You for being our partner.     You do not ask much in return —        An Omer — a sign of recognition. That is the fee for the sunlight,The fee for the rain,The fee for watching while we sleep. ——————————

Springtime surrounds us.  The rains come, and the rains go.  The blossoms appear.  May of us will be “putting in” our own gardens.  All of us will enjoy the sunshine, the beautiful weather, the movement from day to night and back to day… the gift of each day.  What is the “sign of recognition” that you offe

Our Torah portion this week is Emor – Lev. 21:1-24:23. Chapter 23 focuses on the “fixed times of the Eternal… the sacred occasions”(Lev. 23:4) – otherwise known as our festival calendar.  Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot – each of these festivals is marked by celebration and thankfulness for the harvest, underscoring our agricultural ties.  Rabbi Michael Hecht, in his collection When the Fire Waits: Prayers and Poems for the Sabbath and Festivals, recalls this connection – and the miracles that occur “While We Sleep” — 

God, You give us the earth

And life.

   We do the work.

   We do the worrying.

We plow and sow,

Weed and hoe.

We have to get up early in the morning.

So much can go wrong.

    But while we sleep

    The crops spring up in secret.

    We never catch them growing.

One day — 

Responding to the sunlight and the rain

As much as to our labors — 

They are ripe.

    We do the work, and the worrying,

    But while we sleep, they grow.

    While we rest, You do Your work.

And You ask nothing from us but a token:

“When you come to the land which I am giving you

And reap its harvest,

Then bring an Omer-full of the first of the harvest…

To the Eternal…” (Lev. 23:10)

    From all Israel just an Omer,

    A small measure of grain,

    Just a reminder of what You do 

    While we sleep.

Life is so hard!

There is no end to our problems.

We cannot work fast enough to keep ahead.

    But in the sleep of the night

    Comes healing.

    The universe goes on without our help.

    We are refreshed by doing nothing.

    By trusting in Your presence.

Thank You for keeping watch in the night.

Thank You for being our partner.

    You do not ask much in return —    

    An Omer — a sign of recognition.

That is the fee for the sunlight,

The fee for the rain,

The fee for watching while we sleep.

——————————

Springtime surrounds us.  The rains come, and the rains go.  The blossoms appear.  May of us will be “putting in” our own gardens.  All of us will enjoy the sunshine, the beautiful weather, the movement from day to night and back to day… the gift of each day.  What is the “sign of recognition” that you offer?l enjoy the sunshine, the beautiful weather, the movement from day to night and back to day… the gift of each day. What is the “sign of recognition” that you offer?  We do the work.

   We do the worrying. We plow and sow,Weed and hoe.We have to get up early in the morning.So much can go wrong.     But while we sleep    The crops spring up in secret.    We never catch them growing. One day — Responding to the sunlight and the rainAs much as to our labors — They are ripe.     We do the work, and the worrying,    But while we sleep, they grow.    While we rest, You do Your work. And You ask nothing from us but a token:”When you come to the land which I am giving youAnd reap its harvest,Then bring an Omer-full of the first of the harvest…To the Eternal…” (Lev. 23:10)     From all Israel just an Omer,    A small measure of grain,    Just a reminder of what You do     While we sleep. Life is so hard!There is no end to our problems.We cannot work fast enough to keep ahead.     But in the sleep of the night    Comes healing.    The universe goes on without our help.    We are refreshed by doing nothing.    By trusting in Your presence. Thank You for keeping watch in the night.Thank You for being our partner.     You do not ask much in return —        An Omer — a sign of recognition. That is the fee for the sunlight,The fee for the rain,

The fee for watching while we sleep.

——————————

Springtime surrounds us.  The rains come, and the rains go.  The blossoms appear.  May of us will be “putting in” our own gardens.  All of us will enjoy the sunshine, the beautiful weather, the movement from day to night and back to day… the gift of each day.  What is the “sign of recognition” that you offer

From Previous Weeks

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim – Lev. 16:1-18:30/19:1-20:27 (Apr. 23/24)

Morality comes from reading the tradition in its entirety…

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Tazri’a/Metzorah – Lev. 12:1-13:59/14:1-15:33 (Apr. 16/17)

For too many of us, healing from a life-threatening illness…has brought us a heightened awareness of the need to not…

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Shemini – Lev. 9:1-11:47 (Apr. 9/10)

When loss occurs…these texts reflect our nature to seek answers…

Read More

Exodus 13:17-15:26 (Apr. 2/3)

Even as we celebrate our redemption from slavery, we have a responsibility to remember the whole story. 

Read More

As the Torah Turns

Rabbi Lader’s Weekly D’var Torah

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim – Lev. 16:1-18:30/19:1-20:27 (Apr. 23/24)

This week we have a double Torah portion – Acharei Mot/Kedoshim – Lev. 16:1-18:30/19:1-20:27.  Much of the text is about what it means to be holy… and our inter-personal relationships.  These relationships – these sexual relationships, specifically between two men – have been the basis for traditional views on homosexual relationships.  Over two millennia have passed, and with the passage of time, has come the realization that there are indeed other perspectives to inform our understanding of what of means to be in a loving relationship. The following describes the Reform movement’s views on LGBTQ equality, and how that view is informed by looking at the larger picture of the Torah texts – and the ethical rationale behind the laws.  

LGBTQ EQUALITY & REFORM JEWISH VALUES

The organized Reform Jewish community is committed to securing civil rights for LGBTQ individuals. We are guided by the basic belief that all human beings are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image, as it says in Genesis 1:27,

“God created humans in God’s image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female God created them.”

As Jews, we are intimately acquainted with the effects of bigotry. Our ancestors knew both the continuing indignities of second-class citizenship and the constant fear of xenophobic violence; this history teaches us that discrimination against any members of a community threatens the security of the entire community.  

The two Biblical texts that opponents of equality most often cited are both found in the book of Leviticus. In a discussion of sexual behavior, the Israelite men are instructed,

“Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an abhorrence” (Leviticus 18:22).

Later text reaffirms,

“If a man lies with a male as one lies with a woman, the two of them have done an abhorrent thing; they shall be put to death – their blood guilt is upon them” (Leviticus 20:13).

How can Jews resolve the apparent conflict between Leviticus’s harsh prohibitions and the moral obligation to speak out against the injustices that afflict LGBT individuals? We can begin by remembering this verse that sits directly between the two: Leviticus 19:18 reads,

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Leviticus approaches same-sex relationships as necessarily promiscuous, and possibly oppressive, because they never occurred in the context of loving families. The intent of these laws, then, is to forbid promiscuous relationships. Because the Torah does not directly address the issue of loving, monogamous, homosexual couples, we must turn to the more general ethical framework of the Torah for guidance. As Rabbi Harold Schulweis explains,

“Morality comes from reading the tradition in its entirety – not singling out particular verses or particular laws. It comes from highlighting the ethical rationale behind the laws, including the many interpretations of law, and it comes from wisdom, Jewish experience and history.”

Learn more about the Reform Jewish community’s work for LGBTQ rights at RAC.org/lgbt. May we all find holiness in our lives through our sacred acts of lovingkindness and loving relationships. We are very pleased to share that BI-TWT has been recognized by Keshet as an “open and affirming” temple for LGBTQ+ Jews! https://www.keshetonline.org/resources-and-events/equality-directory/?ajax_nonce=953a45813f&offset=0&root_url=https%3A%2F%2F www.keshetonline.org%2Fresources-and-events%2Fequality-directory%2F&organization_category&organization_affiliations&search_location=44149&selected_country=United%20States#1486923

From Previous Weeks

Shemini – Lev. 9:1-11:47 (Apr. 9/10)

When loss occurs…these texts reflect our nature to seek answers…

Read More

Exodus 13:17-15:26 (Apr. 2/3)

Even as we celebrate our redemption from slavery, we have a responsibility to remember the whole story. 

Read More

Tzav – Lev. 6:1-8:36 (Mar. 26/27)

Moses learns about the details and procedures of the sacrifices. 

Read More

Mishpatim – Ex. 21:1-24:18

The opportunity to create change – or to be change agents – is always before us. 

Read More

As the Torah Turns

Rabbi Lader’s Weekly D’var Torah

Shemini – Lev. 9:1-11:47 (Apr. 9/10)

[The following appears online this week through the Academy for Jewish Religion’s weekly D’var Torah.] Our Torah portion’s opening chapters recount the celebration of Aaron’s and his son’s installation as Cohanim (Priests) and conclude with tragic loss, the punishment by a fiery death of Aaron‘s oldest son’s, Nadav and Avihu, who “…offered before the Eternal alien fire, which He had not enjoined upon them,” and who were then consumed by fire that “came forth from God.” (Leviticus 10:1-2).  Moses makes an attempt to explain God’s actions: “Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Eternal meant when He said: Through those near to Me I show Myself holy, and gain glory before all the people.’” In response, “…Aaron was silent” (Leviticus 10:3). Our Haftarah portion shares a similar story of celebration turning to tragic loss as King David is moving the Ark of the Covenant from Abinadab’s house to Ir David – The City of David: “Meanwhile, David and all the House of Israel danced before the Eternal to [the sound of] all kinds of cypress wood [instruments], with lyres, harps, timbrels, sistrums, and cymbals. But when they came to the threshing floor of Nakhon, Uzzah reached out for the Ark of God and grasped it, for the oxen had stumbled. The Eternal was incensed at Uzzah. And God struck him down on the spot for his indiscretion, and he died there beside the Ark of God.” (II Samuel 6:5-7) David’s response is two-fold: in memory of what happened, he names the spot Perez-Uzzah ([God’s] breach of Uzzah), and out of fear, he diverts the Ark to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite where it rests for three months. (ibid., 6:10-11) Throughout the ages, these stories have generated countless commentaries that seek to understand what great sin could warrant such a divine act of severe retribution. Perhaps Nadav and Avihu made a halachic decision in the presence of their teacher, Moses, or they entered the sanctuary intoxicated (Rashi).  Or, they died before God thinking that they were doing something acceptable to God (Ibn Ezra).  Or, this was belated punishment for something their father, Aaron, had previously done in God’s presence (Or HaChaim recalls Aaron’s hand in making the  Golden Calf).  And what about Uzzah? Uzzah was a layman, not a Kohatite, and should not have been transporting the Ark (Num. 4:15).  Why did this happen?  How could it happen?  There’s got to be a reason… When loss occurs, especially tragic loss that comes “out of the blue”, these texts reflect our nature to seek answers, to do something, and, yes, to be at a loss for words and remain silent.  _____________________________ 

Loss is hard enough.  When the deaths from the Covid pandemic are overlayed upon everything else, they can be overwhelming.  Especially when they can happen so quickly.  My husband’s oldest sister thought she had a bad cold; three days later we were shocked hearing of her death.  Were there answers? She had actually tested positive for Covid earlier that week, but the test results did not come back until after she had died.  What could we do?  As so many have done and are doing, we held an online memorial service for her, and her family and friends zoomed in from around the country and the world.  And then there was silence… and there was grief…  And then it was time to move forward into life. Each year we recall Nadav and Avihu and Uzzah, and each year we mourn them for their tragic deaths.  For them and for all those who have died during this pandemic, zichonam liv’rachah – May their memories be for a blessing.

From Previous Weeks

Tzav – Lev. 6:1-8:36 (Mar. 26/27)

Moses learns about the details and procedures of the sacrifices. 

Read More

Mishpatim – Ex. 21:1-24:18

The opportunity to create change – or to be change agents – is always before us. 

Read More

Mikeitz – Gen. 41:1-44:17 (Dec. 18/19)

Many of us struggle with the kind of faith/emunah that is described in the biblical narrative.

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Vayeishev: Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 (Dec. 11/12)

What might appear as a random encounter can have epic proportions.

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