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July 1, 2022 (2 Tammuz 5782) Finding Our Voice Dear Holy Friends, I truly pray that this week has been filled with joy and blessings for you and your loved ones. I understand that my introductory sentences may seem redundant, but please understand that I am hugely excited about what we are offering to our religious community, and I am here for you, whenever you wish. Also, Happy Canada Day and Happy Fourth of July! Please join us this Shabbat for our in-person services which will take place in the holy sanctuary, as well as on our regular Zoom-Tefilla prayer website. While we offer you these online experiences, please know that it would be our greatest joy to see you in person. We all look better in 3-D and all our protocols are in line with the highest of health standards. In this week’s unsettling Torah portion, we read of a biblical rebellion against Moshe. In the words of the Torah, “Now, Korach, a Levite, along with two sons of Eliab, decided to revolt against Moses with the support of 250 community leaders. They combined against Moses and Aaron, saying “You have gone too far. Why do you raise yourself up above us? Are we not all holy?” When Moses heard this, he fell on his face, saying to Korach and his followers, “Come morning, God will make known who God is and who is holy.” Then Moses added, “You have gone too far, sons of Levi. Is it not enough that God has set you apart from the community of Israel by having you perform the duties of the Lord’s Dwelling Place? Will you seek priesthood too? Truly, you rebel against God.” Moshe then sent for the two sons of Eliab, but they would not come, saying it was unfair that Moses lord over them and force the people to die wandering in the wilderness. Moses then told Korach and his followers to make a priestly fire and give incense offerings to God. At the entrance to the Tent of Appointed Meeting, Moses and Aaron gathered in front of those rebelling and the rest of the community. Then, the Presence of the Lord appeared to the entire assembly. Then, Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Stand back from these rebels that I may destroy them in an instant!” And they fell upon their faces and said, “O God, if one-man sins, will you be angry with the whole community?” Our tradition takes umbrage with Korach and his co-conspirators claiming that, in the opinion of Rashi and others, their rebellion was not for the sake of heaven and not for the greater good, but rather for the sake of ego and self-aggrandizement. As a faith tradition, Judaism encourages us to ask questions and even to examine hierarchal structures. However, questions and challenges must always be framed through the prism of respect and holiness. It is okay to challenge and investigate and take care of our personal needs, but those needs should always be considerate of the community at large. As a prooftext, the Mishna in Pirke Avoth quotes Hillel’s famous teaching, “If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if I am for my own self [only], what am I? And if not now, when?” While this may seem to be a good mindset for self-consideration and finding one’s own voice, people often forget Hillel’s preamble to the Mishna which says:
אוֹהֵב שָׁלוֹם וְרוֹדֵף שָׁלוֹם, אוֹהֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת וּמְקָרְבָן לַתּוֹרָה
May the onset of Shabbat offer us time for self-reflection and encourage us to be of open mind, curiosity, and inquisitiveness, always framed in the spirit of community and holiness. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Eric Wasser, EdD, Hon.DM
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