Before we all took turns dancing with the Torah on Simchat Torah at Beth Ahavah, we discussed two midrashim (rabbinic stories) about why the Torah's first word begins with the letter bet. One midrash said that the shape of the letter - closed on the sides and open at the front - teaches us that we are not to inquire about anything before the moment of Creation. At the same time, another midrash stated that the Torah begins with the letter bet, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and does not begin with the letter aleph, the first letter of the alphabet, to teach us that something always comes before the beginning. How could one midrash insist that we shouldn't even think about what came before Creation, while the other one assures us that there is something before Creation? How could one story attempt to squelch our curiosity, while the other so playfully tries to pique it? Moreover, how does our tradition manage to hold together these opposing values and messages?
As I write this, we recently concluded our long holiday season with Simchat Torah, and we now enter a two month long period with only new moons and Shabbat to celebrate. It's as if we Jews need a Sabbath, a period of rest from all the festivities, a breather of just "ordinary Sabbaths" - if, indeed, the words "ordinary" and "Sabbath" may be said together in one breath - on which to focus our minds and our bodies.
Thus, as the days get shorter and the nights get longer, we begin the yearly cycle anew: the Torah has been rolled back to the beginning, and we read once more about the creation of the universe; the stories of our ancestors; our enslavement in Egypt and our redemption; and the mystery of the revelation of the Torah at Sinai.
Perhaps there is wisdom in the Jewish yearly cycle beginning at this time of year. The long nights afford us more contemplative time - and there is much to contemplate. Why does the Torah say in the very first chapter that God created human beings, both male and female together - and then, in the next chapter tell us that Eve was fashioned from Adam's rib? What kind of God would destroy all life on earth with a flood, or order a faithful follower such as Abraham to sacrifice his son? Why do the Israelites, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, say after they have received the Law, "All that Adonai has spoken, we will do and we will hear?" Shouldn't they have said: "We will hear and we will do?" How can you do a commandment first and hear it afterwards?
Our Torah is full of mysteries, contradictions, and difficult stories. It also is filled with ordinances and laws. Some of these laws we now reject as inimical to our lifestyle, or even to our current moral values, such as the prohibition against homosexuality, or the commandment to stone adulterers. Other laws we embrace wholeheartedly, like the injunction against bribing judges, or the moral precept, "love your neighbor as yourself." Then, there are other laws still that we may partially follow, or have emended to suit our modern sensibilities, such as the commandment to keep the Sabbath, or the laws of kashrut. Is this okay, to pick and choose which laws to follow - or even to change those laws?
Obviously, these are not new questions. For the last two thousand years - or more - our ancestors have been grappling with the Torah, as well as with the texts that came after - the Mishnah, the Talmud, and the various legal codes - in an endless cycle of interpretation and reinterpretation.
In one of the great discussions and sharp disagreements recorded in the Talmud between the Rabbis Hillel and Shammai, a voice from heaven was heard to proclaim, Eilu v'eilu divrei Elohim chayim (Both these and those are the words of the living God). And so the dispute came to an end without any clear resolution. The Rabbis agreed to record both the decisions of Hillel and Shammai, and thereby to hold all the complexity that these differing opinions represented. This was no singular event. Many such discussions ended with these or similar words. And, as we saw above, many stories presented differing, if not opposite, messages.
The Rabbis of the first few centuries of the Common Era understood that times could and would change. They realized that the minority opinion of one day might become the majority opinion of tomorrow. Our ancient Sages chose not to evaluate situations or people with simplistic solutions or easy answers. They argued from every angle they could think of; they saw the grey areas between the black and white. Now, it is up to us to continue their legacy.
I hope to see you all soon at Beth Ahavah.
B'shalom u'vracha,
Susan Falk, Rabbinic Intern
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President's Message by Shelly Komito
If you were at High Holy Day Services on Kol Nidre, you heard me talk about Jewish memories. It must have struck a chord, because a number of you have spoken to me about how much my remarks touched you and inspired you to think about some of your own Jewish memories. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
From a personal standpoint, one aspect of "memories" strikes me as rather ironic. Many of my most precious Jewish memories are connected with my mother, yet for the last ten years of her life, my Mom gradually lost her memory until she had none left at all. As a tribute to my mother and as a way to keep her memory alive, I have become active in the Alzheimer's Association and participate every October in their annual Memory Walk. I truly appreciate the continual support I receive from my friends at Congregation Beth Ahavah in this effort.
As a congregation we recently celebrated a very joyous Simchat Torah. We sang, we danced with the Torah, I even noticed a few of us were so moved by the experience that the tears streamed down our cheeks. When one of us was holding the Torah, at least two others rushed up to wrap us with a tallit. The entire evening I felt as if I were in a happy, warm embrace.
These two examples remind me of something I have always known about the members of Congregation Beth Ahavah: we really care about each other. I see it in lots of different ways; the concern we show for members who are ill or in the hospital, how we reach out to one another during times of loss, how we celebrate with each other during times of happiness or achievement. I also know that a lot of it goes on behind the scenes because the news, be it happy or sad, may only be shared by a few people.
What can we do at Congrega-tion Beth Ahavah to become more of a Caring Community? Through Bikur Holim we have created a vehicle to support members of our community at times of sickness or grieving. But can we, as a Caring Community discover new ways to show that we care about each other?
Maybe we can share information and serve as resources to each other, even create support groups if there is interest. There are lots of ways we can think about connecting. Could you offer to drive someone to services or a doctor's appointment? Can we find a special way to welcome people who are new to the BA community? Could you prepare a meal or do shopping for someone in need? Are you dealing with aging parents? Are you thinking about retiring or changing careers? Do you have a particular interest you would like to share with others in the BA family? Please let me know your thoughts. I would like to include some of this information in our biweekly email announcements to the congregation. I would also be happy to talk to anyone who would be interested in working with a Caring Community group to put these and other ideas into action.
Our Beth Ahavah community means so much to us. We have worked hard to become "Partners with the Community." Let us now put some effort into strengthening our community and making sure that we have a Caring Community where everyone feels like they are part of the family.
The Membership Committee hosted a Twentysomething Shabbat on Friday, October 22nd at 8 pm. This special Shabbat service honored the younger crowd, but everyone was welcome.
The Twentysomething Shabbat was just one of the exciting events that the Membership Committee has been putting together in a concerted effort to bring in new members, as well as bring back former members.
The Membership Committee is offering a new program called, "Friends of BA," designed specifically for those who, for example, belong to another congregation, or live a distance away, but would like to support BA and the community.
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Join the Congregation Beth Ahavah Delegation at the 2004 Regional Biennial
Reform Jews from our region will gather in Pittsburgh, PA on November 18-21 for the Union for Reform Judaism's Regional Biennial Convention, sponsored by the PA Council and the Federation of Reform Synagogues of Greater Philadelphia. With the theme, "Remember I am with You: Continuing the Dream," this year's Biennial will be an opportunity to recharge, replenish and learn the skills for congregational leadership. It is a weekend you will not want to miss.
The URJ Regional Biennial is that once-every-two-year gathering when we take time to explore synagogue life and gather new ideas, to worship, study with scholars and celebrate with friends, learn from the pros and each other, and sing and schmooze. It is a place to find warmth and comfort in a strong, united community.
The Biennial will include:
- Presentations by nationally and internationally renown speakers
- Pre-conference Kallot on Judaism and the arts
- Forums which will give participants an opportunity to learn in depth from noted thinkers,
scholars and leaders about the issues that impact our lives at home, in the synagogue and in our communities
- Varied worship opportunities that will include a rich musical Shabbat celebration
- Shabbat study with Regional rabbis
- Workshops where Biennial participants can select sessions that explore a range of issues and concerns,
offering tools for strengthening synagogue life
- Great Jewish entertainment, featuring the best in Jewish music, including Dan Nichols
- An exhibit hall where you will experience a wonderful array of Judaica, available for purchase for personal
use or for sale at our gift shop
Join the growing number of participants who will travel to Pittsburgh to share in this very unique and moving experience. For further details, call the BA office 215-923-2003 or the URJ regional office (215-563-8183) or log onto www.urj.org/PAC for registration information.
