This week’s Parshiot, a double, Matot-Maasey, is quite disturbing. Not surprisingly, it coincides with the incredulous events taking place in Israel today, specifically, the challenges to the judicial system and the threat to an already fragile democratic society. It parallels the Parsha in the sense that how a people acquires the power, morally and spiritually, to succeed in creating a society based upon justice and loving kindness is in question. Do we not see this struggle in many countries throughout the world?

These past couple of weeks we have been treated to several juicy or “Jewcy” stories from the Torah portions. From Chukat we learn of the death of Miriam and Aaron and the new challenges to leadership in the Israelite community. From Balak we learn of the efforts to stop the Israelites from reaching the Land of Promise and the surprise blessing they receive from the desert prophet Bilaam.

Parshat Chukat is filled with mystery and meaning.

It begins with God’s instruction to Moses and Aaron to tell the people to sacrifice a red heifer that is free from blemish (nearly impossible to find), and which has never been yoked. Its ashes are then to be used in a ritual of purification to release individuals from impurity. As many of our sages commented, this was an irrational or supra-rational instruction. In subsequent verses we see how important it was for the supplicant to cleanse himself and his clothing after contact with a corpse. It is obvious that transitions of life and death had great significance then, as they do now. Transitions become sacred or meaningful for us, as for them, when marked by rituals for the cleansing of body, mind and spirit.

This week we read about Parshat Korach, Moses’ Levite cousin who leads a deeply threatening rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Are you planning a trip to Israel? The West Bank? Do you have an updated guidebook? Is it safe?

From this weeks Parsha, Bahaalotecha:

“The Ineffable spoke to Moses. Speak to each Israelite saying ‘when you kindle the lamps, toward the face of the menorah shall the seven lamps cast light.”

This week we read Parshat Naso.

Who carries the debt, the responsibility, of the nation? “And G!d spoke to Moses saying ‘lift up each of the descendants of Gershon’…”. And later “V’Nasu, they shall 'carry' the Tabernacle’s tapestries, the skin cloths, and drapes…etc”.

This Thursday evening begins Shavuot, the first harvest festival and the commemoration of our people’s receiving Torah at Sinai.

It troubles me that so many Jews do not know it is Shavuot. While it is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals along with Pesach and Sukkot, it does not have the recognition that Pesach does, nor Sukkot.

From BaMidbar “ 1. And the Ineffable spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the second month in the second year from their departure from the land of Egypt, saying: 2. Raise up the heads of all the congregation of the children of Israel.” (BaMidbar 1:1-2)

Many translators translate the second verse as “count or take a census of the heads…”. But the Hebrew, Se’u, has greater depth. The Ishbitzer Rav and other commentators teach us that each person is unique and that each person will be lifted up or spiritually elevated in their relationship to self, others, God and life.

Creating Conscious Community is the overriding theme of the Book of Leviticus.

Each Parsha takes us to a new level of understanding in building a community and a society that is based upon personal and collective accountability before the Source of All, with ourselves, with each other, with animals and with the land.

This week’s Parsha, Emor, begins with an intimate conversation between Moshe and the Cohanim. They are reminded of their unique role in the community and in the creation of a conscious community and a people that is compassionate, just, aware of and appreciative of the Ineffable Source of Life.

First of all, our Hanukat HaBayit was a wonderful event. Fifty plus folks celebrated the opening of the new Am Kolel Judaic Resource Center in Rockville. Many of us have not seen each other in years. The new Center represents the newest chapter in Am Kolel’s history serving the community. In addition to a hamish davenning space, we house the Rae Alice and Bernard Cohen Library of some 2000 volumes. We’re very grateful to librarians Susan Freiband, Ellen Sher and volunteers for setting it up. Most of the art in the house is art created by local Jewish artists and the room has been designated as a rotating gallery. We hope the new Center will be a place of meeting and learning for the artists and others. Several old timers from the Jewish Folk Arts Festival were present including Avrum Ashery, Nessa Spitzer and Danny Siegel, the poet. Theo Stone and Frank Sparber, of the Fabrangen Fiddlers, Rosana Azar and Janeane Marks lead singing.

This week we witness the rebirth and beauty of spring. For many of us, it is most welcome. For some with allergies, Oy! This Shabbat is also Earth Day! Of course, every Shabbat is an earth day, when we traditionally refrain from disturbing the earth, no plowing, planting, cutting, harvesting etc… to be in harmony with the natural world.

As we leave Pesach, I just wanted to share with you a major focus of these last one or two days. The words from Isaiah lay out a vision for Messianic time, a world of harmoniousness between peoples, animals and the earth. This future vision has also been compared to the Garden of Eden, the difference being that we, human beings, need to take the steps to make it happen. The verses from Isaiah ring very powerfully in Christianity and set the theology for the emergence of Jesus. I have enjoyed the interpretation of the Ishbitzer Rav, Mordecai Joseph Leiner, a Hassidic master of the 19th century who taught that each of us contains the light of the Mashiach within. Please note the beauty and power of Isaiah’s words below directed to each of us.

We note in the Mishna, some 2000 years ago, how Rabbi Gamliel and his colleagues gave structure to the Seder. In fact, the traditional Haggadah from the early Middle Ages opens with several sages planning the revolt against Rome.

Last week the Book of Numbers, VaYikra, opened with animal sacrifices and how animals and other kinds of offerings were intended to draw the people closer (korban) to God and to each other.

This past Shabbat we concluded the Book of Exodus with establishment of the Mishkan, the sacred structure. So what now? Can the Israelites now continue on their journey to the Land of Promise?

This week’s Parsha, Vayakel-Pekudei, perfectly coincides with the creation of our new Mishkan at 1729 Wilmart Street. The Parsha describes in great detail the contributions and the commitment of the people in creating their sacred center as they prepare to move forward on their journey.

This week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, brings us to the conclusion of the Torah passages that recount the construction of the Sacred Center, the Mishkan, and its contents, the centrality of spiritual leadership and the significance of ritual offerings.

This Shabbat is known as the Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembrance. Since it is the Sabbath preceding Purim, the special Haftarah, a reading from the Prophets, recalls how Samuel instructs Saul to “strike down Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, killing every man, women and child, ox and sheep, camel and ass.”

Today and tomorrow are Rosh Chodesh Adar. Our sages teach us that “when the month of Adar arrives, our joy increases.” We can all use more joy, Simcha, in our lives. The month of Adar encourages us to go in that direction. In two weeks, we celebrate Purim, when we are also called to find joy in providing for those in need, Matanot L’Evyonim, and to bring gifts of goodies, Shaloch Manos, to our neighbors and friends. Astrologically, we’re in Pisces, and fish are a sign of blessing and fruitfulness. During this month we begin planting bulbs and early spring vegetables and we, increasingly, witness the rebirth of life all around us. Simcha, joy!

In this Parsha, Mishpatim, we learn of the Sefer HaBrit, the Book of the Covenant, that describes with great vision and detail the civil, human rights, animal rights and judicial requirements of the new nation.

There’s a lot of organizing to do. “Let’s get the job done” repeated Joe Biden numerous times to Congress and the country last night.

In Parshat Yitro this week we hear, once again, another State of the Union address. Moses is rallying the nation behind God and the promise of the Covenant at Sinai. His advisors, lead by Yitro, his father-in-law and Midianite monotheist priest, advise him on how to organize to “get the job done.” Read the Parsha!

Finally, the Israelites are freed from slavery. However, their freedom does not come without great anxiety and challenges. As the people, including non Israelites, make their way into the Sinai toward Canaan, they are pursued by Pharoah's army. The people are stuck at the Sea of Reeds, in a place called Pi HaChirot, the Mouth of Freedom. They cry out to Moses, to God. They are told stop complaining and to move forward into the sea. Lead by Nachshon, they take the steps that lead to the parting of the sea. They show their resolve, their courage and their faith. After a Song of Rejoicing with Miriam and the women leading the people in celebration, they continue on their way. But the yearning to be free is once again met with difficult challenges. Why? Didn’t they deserve a better break? But in order to be truly liberated they need water. They find water but the water is bitter. Moses instructs them to throw a certain tree into the water. They do so and the waters become sweet. Our sages teach us the “tree” was the Tree of Life, the Torah. But still, there are more challenges. They need to eat! So, we learn about Manna. But the people get tired of the Manna - rather than express gratitude they complain bitterly. This people has a lot of growing to do.

Locusts, darkness and death of the first born.  The plagues, Makot, literally meaning “strikes”, strike against Pharoah’s enslavement of the Hebrews having intensified from the waters to the land to the sky, the realm of Higher Being. The intensity of the liberation movement is reaching a climax.  We experience the last three Makot in Parshat Bo. The Makah of the Locusts further devastates the economy. The Makah of Darkness is a metaphor for confusion and a blindness of mind, heart and purpose plaguing the Pharoah and the Egyptian oppressors. It is during these Makot that the Israelites more fully buy into the struggle for their liberation. They now see the light and begin to emerge from their own darkness to transcend their physical suffering and weak hearts.

The opening verses of Parshat Vaera are worth checking out. God, once again, the first time having been at the Burning Bush, addresses Moses.  Moses is reminded of the Promise YHVH gave to the ancestors, the blessings and hopes for the future. God’s passion and core drive is directed to the freedom of the enslaved Israelites.  God is the ultimate freedom fighter. The Ineffable’s passion to free the people from bondage is at the core of Moses’ identify as well.   Moses is the instrument for making it happen.

It’s good to be back. It’s hard to say being in Israel was relaxing. I want to the thank Melissa, our administrative assistant, for watching over the business of Am Kolel while I was away. I also wish to thank Susan Zemsky, friend and recently retired executive director of Temple Shalom, for her help getting us ready for our next phase. As you know we will be reestablishing our primary center back in the lower part of the County.

Diane and I are anticipating our return to the US. I can’t say it’s been a relaxing trip. It’s certainly been a pleasure visiting with friends and family, especially our son Dani and his wife Chana. Traveling around the country and spending time in Jerusalem again has been an awesome experience, to reconnect with the sacredness of the land, the accomplishments of Israelis and Palestinians, their blood, sweat and tears in building this modern country. Of course, there are many conflicting realities here. One reality is that everyone loves this Land. The majority of the people here want to live in peace with each other.

It is awesome to be back in Jerusalem again. When we exited from the bus and train station onto Jaffa Street we were greeted with amplified Hanukah music, a large Hanukah menorah and folks dancing. It was a sight.

First, it was great to hear the announcement yesterday about the signing of the Respect for Marriage Act at the White House.

In this month when we read about Jacob’s and Joseph’s dreams in the Parshiot we can feel the joy when long sought for dreams are fulfilled in our own time. Of course, it took much hard work.