worship – The Tree of Life

Beyond Confidence

I have become the greeter at the synagogue. This means that I stand by the door, waiting for people to arrive. I open the door, on the right side of a double doorway, so that if the person(s) entering choose, they have opportunity to kiss the mezuzah on their right side, before they enter.

The door has been locked ever since the tragic events of October Seventh, when 1300 Israelis were massacred by Hamas terrorists, as well as the Palestinian civilians who we now know joined with them on this sick-minded, inhumane attack of innocent Israeli civilians, men, women, children as well as babies and the elderly.

Many in the Jewish community where I live are alarmed by what has happened and what is currently happening around the world. Even the relatively quiet city where I live has its share of Pro-Palestinian protests that are essentially pro-Hamas and anti-Israeli. These are organized by a chapter of the Students for Justice for Palestine on Campus as well as local Leftist activists.

I have been asked several times what I would do, if there was an issue at the synagogue. That depends on the nature of the circumstances. However, if I see someone who looks suspicious, rather than open the door and greet him, I intend to step outside and let the door close behind me. I have no fear.

Several months ago, some non-Jewish friends expressed concern for my safety in general, where I live, since I often walk here, there, and everywhere. I told them that I have changed nothing in my (very religious) appearance or attitude, except that I feel even more confident about who I am as a Jewish person, and will not let anything deter me from expressing the nature of my identity.

On the contrary, if I let fear take hold to the slightest degree, then a slow compromise would begin to take effect, and I would slip back into the metaphorical shell of a turtle that I used to hide under, when I was younger. I cannot let fear take root in my consciousness at all.

Not everyone is like this; and, I respect that people need to meet the circumstances from where they are at with themselves and G-d. The point being, that the more we place our trust in G-d, the more of a security He will be to us. Therefore, I have no confidence in myself, beyond the trust that I place in G-d. I will make an effort to stand up for my belief, practice, and identity; however, I will never leave G-d out of the equation.

motzei Shabbos: Vayikra 5783

Korban – To Draw Close

“When any of you presents an offering…”

– Leviticus 1:2, NJPS

“As an olah is an offering that “rises” towards G’d in its entirety, since the whole of the animal is being offered on the altar, so is prayer an offering of the heart which rises toward Heaven in its entirety.” – Akeidas Yitzchak on Leviticus 1:2

The Hebrew word for offering is korban. The shoresh (root word) of korban is KRV, meaning “to draw near.” Therefore, the act of bringing an offering has the connotation of drawing near to H’Shem. According to Akeidas Yitzchak, the olah offering, in particular, represents prayer from the heart, because the olah completely ascends to H’Shem. Therefore, in like manner that the entire animal brought as an olah offering is consumed on the mizbeach (altar), so too, it can be said, that our prayers of the heart ascend entirely to G-d.

Interestingly enough, the name associated with the korbanot is YHVH, the name that denotes H’Shem’s Attribute of Mercy. Since the korban is not associated with the name, Elokim that represents the Attribute of Justice, the implication is that an offering permits us to draw near to H’Shem, because of His mercy towards us. Although the world was first created with the Attribute of Justice, denoted by the name Elokim (the name of G-d that first appears in the Creation narrative), later, the name YHVH appears, because the world could not survive without Mercy (see Rashi, Genesis 1:1). H’Shem’s Attribute of mercy makes an allowance for reconciliation through atonement, by way of a korban.

Today, even without the Beis HaMikdash where offerings were brought to H’Shem, we may still rely on H’Shem’s mercy. We may even bring our own offerings to Him, in a sense, by committing to the performance of good deeds, and doing tikkun hanefesh (the rectification of the soul). By devoting ourselves to H’Shem, we, ourselves, in certain sense may become an offering. So, in consideration of making ourselves an offering, may our prayers arise like sweet-smelling incense, and find favor with H’Shem.

Ner Tamid

“Fire shall be kept burning upon the altar continually; it shall not go out.”

– Leviticus 6:6, JPS 1917 Tanach

The olah [elevation offering] remained on the mizbeach (altar) all night until the morning (Leviticus 6:2). This refers to the daily tamid offering; one lamb was brought as an offering in the morning, and one in the evening. The commandment for eish (fire) to be kept burning upon the mizbeach (altar) all night, was enacted throughout the nighttime as well, enabling the remaining parts of the evening olah, plus any additional offerings of the day, to continue burning. Additionally, two logs of wood were placed on the mizbeach in the morning, and again in the evening, as fuel for the sacred fire.

This fire that was kept continually burning upon the mizbeach, reflects the ideal devotion towards H’Shem that we should have on a continual basis. “To serve the L-RD thy G-d with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12, JPS). The olah offering of the morning and evening, may be understood to represent our devotion, throughout both the day and night. Additionally, the morning and afternoon services – shachris and mincha – relate to the two daily tamid offerings; whereas the evening service (maariv) has its complement, as pertaining to the remainders of the olah of the second tamid offering, and other offerings that burnt throughout the night.

The ner tamid (eternal light), represented by the light above the ark in a synagogue, brings us even closer to an understanding of what H’Shem desires of us. In the Zohar, the “everlasting fire,” that is to be kept continually burning on the mizbeach (altar), alludes to the divine light of the soul (Tikkunei Zohar 74a). As expressed elsewhere, “The spirit [neshama] of man is the lamp of the L-RD” (Proverbs 20:27). To connect with H’Shem (deveykus) on a continual basis, we need to engage every facet of ourselves – our thought, speech, and behavior – in an effort towards enhancing the light within us. As is demonstrated by the flame of a candle, that flickers upwards, just as our soul should reach up towards Shomayim (Heaven).

“In Thy light we see light.” – Psalm 36:11, JPS 1917 Tanach

Help from Above

To Him that led His people through the wilderness, we pray:

L-RD, protect us under the shadow of your wings,

And defend us in the face of adversity.

Guide our ways through the wilderness of our lives,

Make clear our paths, within the domain of the enemy,

For as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

We yearn to reach the other side of the border,

Where we can find safety, comfort, and renewal.

Eventually, all of us will be poised to begin anew,

As G-d continues to give us the opportunity to say,

In all honesty, that we are grateful for living another day.

Do not let our fears hold sway over our minds;

Permit our conscience to steer us in the right direction.

We look forward to the day when the Redemption will be at hand,

As Your help will arrive early in the morning before dawn.

In that day, the L-RD will be one, and his name one. Amein.

drash – Avodah: The Inner Work

“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you a holy day, a sabbath of solemn rest to the L-RD.”

– Exodus 35:2, JPS 1917 Tanach

Before giving the commandment to B’nei Yisrael, concerning the terumah (offerings) that are to be brought – silver, gold, and various materials for the building of the Mishkan – a free will offering from the heart of each and every individual – H’Shem instructs Moshe to remind the B’nei Yisrael about Shabbat. The juxtaposition of the commandment to observe Shabbos, with the commandment, concerning the construction of the Mishkan is significant. The significance is that as holy as the project of the Mishkan is, the building of the Mishkan does not supersede the sanctity of Shabbos.

Commentary further explains that acknowledgment of H’Shem, who created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh day, is a greater imperative than the services performed in the Mishkan. Not that belief precludes service; rather, that belief is primary. This is reflected in the teaching, that the first commandment encompasses the belief in H’Shem that is incumbent upon us, before we can accept His commandments as authoritative. That is, in effect, the essence of what is truly necessary: first, a belief in the existence of G-d; then, a desire to draw near to Him through our avodah (service).

Although the Mishkan was the officially prescribed way to serve H’Shem, through the bringing of offerings, today the main way to do so is through the service of the heart, i.e., prayer. And, this may be performed on a communal basis, as well as a personal level. Often, the gathering together at a place of worship is emphasized in the lives of many, while the more personal aspects of heartfelt prayer in one’s own words, within the confines of one’s own home is neglected. This is an unfortunate reality that underscores the nature of service in modern times, where many focus more on community than an actual heartfelt connection to H’Shem.

Both communal and personal prayer are important; yet, it is advisable to strengthen ourselves in regard to the inner dimension of our soul. Moreover, whether we attend communal prayer worship or not, our service towards H’Shem should still take into consideration the sanctity of Shabbos: this is an ideal time to set aside for personal reflection, prayer, and strengthening our connection to H’Shem.