The words “after the death” hang over this week’s portion. These words are not only the translation of the portion’s name, Acherei Mot, but also the heart of everything that happens inside of it. The words have particular resonance this week, as we live in the aftermath of the shooting at the synagogue in Poway, California, and the murder of Lori Kaye.
In the portion, Aaron, is faced with a choice after the death of his eldest sons, Nadab and Abiyhu in a horrific accident several portions ago, whether to give up or to forge on ahead? Will his grief be so all consuming that he relinquishes his duties? Will the people themselves survive such a calamity?
The answer we receive is inadequate. We learn about the Yom Kippur service – the two he-goats, one directed toward Azazel, the other to be sacrificed. We learn about Aaron’s sacred time communing with God inside of the Holy of Holies. We learn about rules restricting sacrifice outside of the camp, about avoiding the consumption of blood, and about whom Israelites are permitted to lie with and with whom they are forbidden from doing so. But, we learn nothing about the emotional state of the Israelite High Priest, about how he is coping with the loss, about how the entire community is coping.
This week, we too struggle with living in a state of “after the death. For, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was wounded in the attack, the choice is clear, “a little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness. We need a lot of light now.” Instead of vigils of mourning, he is encouraging memorials of mitzvot, good deeds. It is with this in mind, that we, in the Buffalo Jewish Community, are dedicating this coming Shabbat as a Shabbat of kindness. Let us show compassion to the stranger, visit the sick, and care for the aggrieved. We will have our community overflow with chesed, loving kindness, in honor of Lori Kaye, in an attempt to make the world better. As Rabbi Goldstein said, “I pray for the healing during this time, for the pain and grief, and I ask the world to do something to add more light to combat evil darkness.” May it be so. May it be so.
Shabbat Shalom,