Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Arnow 4/9/2021
Dear Kol Rinah Family,
Lots of info--so read to the bottom!
A year ago, we were focused on the dangers of being to close together. The story that we read this week of Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu coming close to God, offering strange fire and being consumed by the experience read last year like a warning against coming too close--to synagogue, or to each other.
But a year later, a different, earlier moment in Parashat Shemini is speaking to me, one that is about coming close, rather than keeping distance. To set the stage, the Israelites have spent the previous seven days inaugurating the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with sacrifices, led by Moses. Now, on the eighth day, Moses is handing the ritual reins to Aaron for the first official use of the Mishkan, after it's been consecrated.
Moses gives Aaron all the instructions, and all the supplies are brought, and then Moses says to Aaron, "Come near to the altar..." (Leviticus 9:7). Why does Moses need to urge Aaron to come close? Lots of commentators offer explanations of why Aaron is hesitant. Maybe Aaron was just very humble (Sifra, Be'er Yitzchak), or afraid of God's presence (Be'er BaSadeh), or worried that he wasn't worthy because of his involvement in building the golden calf (Ramban). Or perhaps, simply, since Moses had been doing everything so far, that's what Aaron was used to and he thus needed a little extra urging to come forward (Oznaim LaTorah).
I can't help but read this moment differently now. Moses is saying, "It's ok within proper protocols to come close." Sound familiar? The deaths of Nadav and Avihu warn about coming too close and outside of proper protocols. But even doing something that is very clearly "safe" can induce anxiety, because we've been so well trained that close is always unsafe.
Kol Rinah's reopening taskforce has reaffirmed that we're not changing our protocols right now. We're going to continue masking, distancing, pre-registering, doing verbal health screenings, and not serving food or drinks. And, we soon will start doing a few more in person events, indoors and outdoors, that adhere to these protocols.
Some of us may need nudging and urging, like Aaron did, to realize that there are safe ways do certain things. We may not want to go to a shiva house when it's crowded, but we could make a separate appointment to visit, and be outside and masked.
We will all feel comfortable and safe with different things at different times, and we shouldn't let anyone pressure us into doing things that feel unsafe. But it may take a little urging to come closely, even when we acknowledge it's safe and appropriate.
What urging do you need to come a little closer, again, to the things that are holy, and safe?
Today at noon, I'll be leading Torah Talk on Zoom, where we'll look Nechama Leibowitz's writing on a puzzling episode of Moses' anger. (Link below)
Tonight at 6pm, we'll have mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom. (Link below)
Candle lighting is at 7:15pm.
Tomorrow morning we'll be streaming from the sanctuary starting at 9:30am. (Link below)
We'll read Parashat Shemini
Leviticus 10:12-11:32
2 Samuel 6:1-7:17
Starting Sunday, there's a lot happening, and it's all on our website at https://www.kolrinahstl.org/.
Among the highlights:
Lots of info--so read to the bottom!
A year ago, we were focused on the dangers of being to close together. The story that we read this week of Aaron's sons Nadav and Avihu coming close to God, offering strange fire and being consumed by the experience read last year like a warning against coming too close--to synagogue, or to each other.
But a year later, a different, earlier moment in Parashat Shemini is speaking to me, one that is about coming close, rather than keeping distance. To set the stage, the Israelites have spent the previous seven days inaugurating the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with sacrifices, led by Moses. Now, on the eighth day, Moses is handing the ritual reins to Aaron for the first official use of the Mishkan, after it's been consecrated.
Moses gives Aaron all the instructions, and all the supplies are brought, and then Moses says to Aaron, "Come near to the altar..." (Leviticus 9:7). Why does Moses need to urge Aaron to come close? Lots of commentators offer explanations of why Aaron is hesitant. Maybe Aaron was just very humble (Sifra, Be'er Yitzchak), or afraid of God's presence (Be'er BaSadeh), or worried that he wasn't worthy because of his involvement in building the golden calf (Ramban). Or perhaps, simply, since Moses had been doing everything so far, that's what Aaron was used to and he thus needed a little extra urging to come forward (Oznaim LaTorah).
I can't help but read this moment differently now. Moses is saying, "It's ok within proper protocols to come close." Sound familiar? The deaths of Nadav and Avihu warn about coming too close and outside of proper protocols. But even doing something that is very clearly "safe" can induce anxiety, because we've been so well trained that close is always unsafe.
Kol Rinah's reopening taskforce has reaffirmed that we're not changing our protocols right now. We're going to continue masking, distancing, pre-registering, doing verbal health screenings, and not serving food or drinks. And, we soon will start doing a few more in person events, indoors and outdoors, that adhere to these protocols.
Some of us may need nudging and urging, like Aaron did, to realize that there are safe ways do certain things. We may not want to go to a shiva house when it's crowded, but we could make a separate appointment to visit, and be outside and masked.
We will all feel comfortable and safe with different things at different times, and we shouldn't let anyone pressure us into doing things that feel unsafe. But it may take a little urging to come closely, even when we acknowledge it's safe and appropriate.
What urging do you need to come a little closer, again, to the things that are holy, and safe?
Today at noon, I'll be leading Torah Talk on Zoom, where we'll look Nechama Leibowitz's writing on a puzzling episode of Moses' anger. (Link below)
Tonight at 6pm, we'll have mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat on Zoom. (Link below)
Candle lighting is at 7:15pm.
Tomorrow morning we'll be streaming from the sanctuary starting at 9:30am. (Link below)
We'll read Parashat Shemini
Leviticus 10:12-11:32
2 Samuel 6:1-7:17
Starting Sunday, there's a lot happening, and it's all on our website at https://www.kolrinahstl.org/.
Among the highlights:
-
Sunday night at 6:30pm, Elai Rettig will be speaking about the recent Israeli elections
-
Monday night at 7pm, Dr. Wendy Love Anderson, KR's Rabbinic Intern, will be teaching Kabbalah for the Perplexed, an intro to Kabbalah (the first of three sessions).
-
Yom ha-Zikaron (Israel's memorial day) is Tuesday night and Wednesday, and Yom ha-Atzmaut (Israel's independene day) is Wendesday and Thursday. Check the website for programs happening, as well as for things in the coming week.
If you're ever looking for links for programs, click here, or go to our website, make sure you are logged in, and then find the tab on the top right that says, "My Account," and then the "Zoom Links" link that drops down. For help with logging in, contact meir@kolrinahstl.org (314-727-1747) during business hours.
Also on our website are Rabbi Shafrin's sermons and my sermons, including my two sermons from Passover.
Our softball team is looking for players - details and signup here: https://www.kolrinahstl.org/our-softball-team
Finally, a generous member of our congregation has a number of Passover meat dishes and cooking implements/equipment they are happy to give to someone who would like them. Let me know if you are interested!
Shabbat shalom, and see you soon, I hope!
Rabbi Noah Arnow
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b. Keep your Mac from going to sleep automatically: Select “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off.”
Tue, April 23 2024
15 Nisan 5784
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Tue, April 23 2024 15 Nisan 5784