Near the conclusion of our parsha of Emor, the Torah lists the festivals and appointed times for us to celebrate. The Torah begins with the commandments concerning Shabbat and moves on to Pesach – to the observance of the Exodus from Egypt in the middle of the month of Nissan. Afterward, it’s written that we need to count the Omer until the festival of Shavuot, and then at the beginning of the year to celebrate Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Shofar blowing, the fast, the four species – everything is there.
As Sivan Rahav Meir describes, Moshe Rabbeinu spoke about all of it to the nation of Israel in the desert over 3,000 years ago and since then, we have survived wars, persecutions, pogroms, wanderings, and yet we are still here, having preserved that entire list of days quite well.
It’s incredible to think how, over 3 millennia, we have remained in sync with this yearly rhythm of the Jewish calendar. It has inspired us and sustained us through thick and thin.
And so too in our time. As we’ve struggled as individuals and a community (both local and global) to combat and protect ourselves during the Covid-19 pandemic, the weekly and monthly rhythm has kept us focused and uplifted.
“Seven days shall you eat maztot” – we did that one month ago.
“And you shall count for yourselves” – we are presently in the midst of the Omer counting where every day represents a different opportunity for personal growth.
On that same day [50th day of the Omer] you shall hold a celebration”- this is the upcoming holiday of Shavuot as we prepare and grapple with how to relive accepting the Torah.
Two weeks ago we commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed a week later by Israel’s Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and victims of Terror which gave way to Israel’s Independence Day.
Next week, we celebrate Lag Baomer when the students of Rabbi Akiva ceased to die and the day we focus on the “light and fire” of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
Upcoming as well, is Jerusalem Day, when we celebrate the reunification of the Jewish holy city of Jerusalem.
Finally, let’s not forget our weekly cycle, “On six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a sabbath of complete rest, a sacred occasion.” Each week, we have an opportunity to reJEWvenate our souls and live with the weekly Torah portion.
Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler states that we are not meant to go through the holidays/Shabbat but rather let them go through us. They are meant to keep us focused and leave a lasting imprint as we learn about and observe them. As we hold onto them, they, in return, hold onto us.
When we focus on the growth opportunity that each of these unique occasions permit, we can’t help but feel how rich we are to be Jews. “Who is Rich, s/he that is happy with their portion.” We respect other religions and culture and their contributions… but this is ours. “Ashreinu, ma tov chelkenu,” how fulfilling and good is our [the Jewish people’s] portion.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom U’mevorach!
Upcoming Virtual Classes and Tefillot
1. Thursday at 4:30 pm- Nine Questions People Ask About
Judaism
2. Thursday at 8 pm- Ethics of the Fathers
3. Thursday at 9 pm- Family “Night Out” for Families with Young Kids
4. Friday at 5:45 pm- Kabbalat Shabbat
5. Saturday Night- 10 minutes after Shabbat- Havdallah
6. Sunday at 10 am- Responsa in the time of the Corona
7. Monday at 8 pm- The Light, Fire and Relevance of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
8. Tuesday at 1 pm- Parsha Class