November 29. 2024

Field and Tent

This week’s Torah portion has been among my favorite readings for some time now. It tells the story of Yitzchak and Rivka and their two children, Eisav, the older, and Yaakov, the younger. “And the youths grew up, and Eisav was a skilled hunter, ish sadeh, a man of the field, and Yaakov was an ish tam, a wholesome man, yoshev ohalim, dwelling in tents” (Bereishit 25:27).

These descriptions are easy to dismiss as window dressing or simple verbal flourishes. But a careful student of Torah would pause for a moment and ask – why is the Torah sharing these particular descriptions? This is an apt question to ponder especially when we recall some other instances of sadeh/field and ohel/tent in the Torah.

The Torah seemingly highlights a fundamental difference between Yaakov and Eisav. Eisav was a hunter, destined to disdain his covenantal role and the responsibilities of being the eldest. He would marry Hittite women causing grief to both his parents. This man of the field plotted to kill his brother. He would be following in the ways of Kayin, who killed his brother when “they were in the field”

Yaakov, on the other hand, dwelt at home in his tent. He understood that a life of morality requires restrictions, and study. Years later G-d would speak to Moshe from the tent of the mishkan and Bilaam, seeing the tent homes of the Jewish people, would praise their way of life. Eisav’s association with the field seems to underscore the trajectory his life took. Yaakov’s association with tents directly connects to the direction his life took.

There are probably many reasons for the stark differences between the twin brothers and the opposite paths in life they traveled. Indeed, our Jewish commentators through the ages have offered various understandings. Those commentaries are almost always based on something in the text of the Torah that caught their eye and spurred their imagination.

To get a taste of this approach to reading Torah, join me for a three week exploration of attention getting words and phrases in the Book of Genesis called First Things First – where we will explore a series of “firsts” – including first love, first death, first dream, first hate. We will meet on Tuesdays December 10, 17 and 24. Stay tuned for more complete information.

Shabbat shalom…and of course, see you in shul!

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Special announcement - Shabbat afternoon Mincha and Maariv

The shorter Shabbat afternoons at this time of the year make gathering for mincha at the typical 4 or 4:15 pm time a challenge. We are experimenting with holding mincha services in the chapel at 12:35 pm, after our kiddush. This will make it easier for people to enjoy a more leisurely Shabbat lunch and afternoon. We hope you will join us!

Creation-why did God put us here?

   Here we go again, starting all over from the beginning, in fact that’s what that word means             “B’reysheet-At first or In the Beginning.” How fascinating that something that seems to have no concrete beginning and no known end, we say is how this all started.

   Perhaps, we are speaking about a spiritual beginning. Until mankind was created, there was no animal capable of truly recognizing HaShem in the universe. Everything up until the sixth day of creation, was what was necessary for God‘s final act, and that was to create human beings.

   It is no wonder that when Adam and Eve when firmly were presented with two trees that they were not allowed to eat from, one which promised immortality and the other knowledge, they ate from the tree of knowledge. How interesting that humans would rather know each other and the world around them, more importantly than LIVING FOREVER.

   Whether we actually could ever have chosen immortality, it would be useless to live forever and not know anything. I think that is the essence of living and being alive. It is to know about things around us and more importantly to know other people. That is why when it says that Adam and Eve conceived a child, it says that Adam “Yadah et Chavah,” yes, that Adam knew Eve. What an incredible idea, that to produce a child that will help to “perfect” the world, otherwise known as Tikun Olam, the two people must truly know each other.

   Then we are confronted by the first two children in the world Cain and Abel, two brothers who choose different paths in life. One Abel becomes a herder of cattle and the other a farmer. I am pretty sure that we are not supposed to take these stories quite literally, although many would disagree. You all know what happens next. When God accepts Ablel’s offering and tells Cain to try again, Cain rises up and strikes his brother and kills him.

   If you know the history of the Jewish people and our relationship with our brothers and cousins, the people of the Arabic world, you know it has not been a good one. The difference is that Cain immediately realizes that he has done something terribly wrong. At first, he tries to hide it and speaks the famous words “where is your brother Cain? I don’t know, am I my brother‘s keeper.”

   In that same discussion, Cain flips 180° and says to God, I realize how terrible it is what I did, I will be marked for the rest of my life and anyone who comes after me will try to kill me. The Torah in its own brilliant way, teaches us the first act of Teshuvah and the first act of forgiveness Selichah. Cain says to God I was wrong!! God then puts a mark on him that tells people do not kill this man for his wrongdoing.

  Obviously, murder is not acceptable, even if you’re sorry. I think the point of the story is that in the world that you live in at the time, most things short of murder can find a way towards forgiveness. We are coming to the end of the High Holy days. Although the proverbial gates of Heaven are closing for this year, we know from the immediate next Torah portion that God has our backs and would rather us do wrong and come back, then to not live at all.

Have a great beginning everyone. Every day is another one to try to do well and to change the world for better.

Shabbat shalom, Cantor Marty

   I have always been fascinated by the Yom Kippur Torah readings. They revolve around what was known as the Avodah Service. Essentially, the Cohen Gadol or high priest would undertake a mission that only he could provide. He would dress all in white, very simply with no ornamentation, and he would enter the Holy of Holies or”Kodesh HaKodasheem.” This room contained the Aaron Kodesh, the holy Ark of the covenant that contained the broken tablets given to Moses by God.

   This room was so powerful and special that no one was allowed in, ever. They literally designed brooms that were so long that a non-high priest could sweep from outside of the room. The Ark itself had long rods that could be picked up from outside of the room and then moved by Levites when it was time for the sanctuary in the desert to move. The Cohen would then chant the 72 letter name of God in a voice that all the people could hear.

  I think the whole point is that the people sensing the importance of this moment would truly be moved to sincerely ask for forgiveness and vow to do better the following year. That is what Kol Nidre is all about. It begins that day of Awe, the day where we punish our bodies by not eating or drinking to remind us, let’s try to do better.

  May we all pray for a better year for all of us. a year with no war, where we can go back to the beaches of Tel Aviv for fun, not to make food for soldiers.

Shana Tova, G’mar Tov.

  When we read Parshat Ki Tavo on Shabbat, you know that Rosh Hashana-Yom Kippur are around the corner. It is so interesting that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur which are such awesome serious Holidays, are immediately followed by Sukkot, called "Heh-Chag. The Festival," in the Torah. This essentially means that Sukkot, not Pesach, was the most important of the Chageem in ancient times. How could that be? Passover celebrates our freedom from slavery and the beginning of our becoming a nation. It is because Sukkot is the Fall festival, which both celebrates and recognizes the importance of food and the harvest. The dark cold winter follows Sukkot and we look forward the the Spring and warmth of Pesach.

  We see a similar juxtiposition in this weeks Parsha which immediately follows another Torah portion with the wod "Ki" in it. Ki Teytzey last weeks Parsha, was jam packed with 72 Mitzvot or commandments. Many dealing with human interpersonal relationships and how we even treat animals. "Ki Tavo," thyis weeks portion begins with a beautiful ceremony that was to occur on the middle festival Shavuot. A representative from each family wasd to journey to the Sanctuary or Temple and bring a basket with their first fruits called "Beekureem" like the word "Bechor" or first born. Thet were to dwclare a formula which connects us all to Avraham Avinu, our great father Abraham. He and Sarah's mission was to teach the planet about Hashem and Sharing and Loving your neighbor. It introduces the concept of "Hakarat Hah-Tov, to see the good." We are literally commanded to appreciate the good things we have in life. 

  Here's the kicker. A column later, are the "Tocheychah." known as the warnings or even the Curses. They are pages of the nastiest things that can happen to us as a nation and a people. "Oy Vey!!!" they have almost all come true. With October 7th approaching quickly, a whole year has passed with nothing changing and a nation suffering. Every Jew around the world is feeling depressed and sad about not just the war but the rampant Anti-Semitism we are all feeling. I believe the Torah's message here is that no matter how awful it gets, we must see the good, the "Tov" in our lives. We have buried several Holocaust survivors this year in their 90's Baruch Hashem. They all could see the good in the world despite the hororrs they endured may we never know again.

    Isiah the amazing visionary prophet of comfort for the destruction of the 1st Temple cries out in this weeks Haftarah, "Koo-mee Oree-Arise and see the light, for Gods Kavod or Heaviness is about to shine." What stirring words of hope in a dark time in our history. This may be a dark time but we have the power to endure and yes, to Shine.

Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Marty

   To me, the beauty of the Torah is that it is not only philosophical and faith based but also has a practical side to it that is designed to help protect the Jewish people from hurting themselves.

   In this weeks Torah portion “Shofteem’” we are commanded to appoint Judges and Police to ensure that there is a level of fairness across-the-board that did not exist in the world until this point. Instead of just a king or a brutal tyrant, determining who shall live or who shall die, a system of fairness and equality had to be established in order for the nation to survive.

   In other words, HaShem through Moses helps the Jewish people to find a better way to live than the nations surrounding them. Moses says to the nation to find righteous people who can judge fairly. They are commanded to not look and see, who is in front of them, but rather to judge the situation and the actions. That way a rich person would not get a better deal than a poor person.

   It may seem obvious to us living in America that everyone should get a fair trial and be treated equally. We know that in reality that doesn’t even happen here all the time. A great society cannot exist without equality and justice. It is comforting to know that the Jewish people brought these rights to the world.

   Isaiah, the great prophet of the destruction and the redemption of the Jewish people is constantly railing against the aristocracy and the king to treat all people equally. The people did not listen and the temple was destroyed. This weeks Haftarah is a message of Hope and redemption.

Maybe we see this speedily in our day, Amen.

Shabbat Shalom, Cantor Marty