This Shabbat we read from Parshat BaMidbar, in the Wilderness...

 

This Shabbat we read from Parshat BaMidar, in the Wilderness, the fourth book of the Torah. In English we know it as the Book of Numbers, given that name because of the census taken at the beginning of the book, counting those eligible for the defense of the new nation and those, the Levites, responsible for the Mishkan and the spiritual life of the people.

It’s interesting that this Parsha always falls on the Shabbat preceding Shavuot. Perhaps the second verse in Hebrew helps make the connection. It’s “S’u et Rosh…”. Each head is to be “lifted up.” Commentators remark how each individual is to be counted and that each individual stands in relationship to the Source of Being. Here, the day before receiving the Covenant at Sinai, we are reminded of the intimacy of that relationship. Lifting our heads is an invitation to view and consider our lives and what provides us with fulfilment as individuals and as a community.

The verses following remind us of the balance we need in taking care of ourselves physically and spiritually.

This Shavuot we are invited to explore what it means to stand at Sinai once again. Shavuot begins Saturday night after Shabbat. It's customary to light candles, have some fruit of the vine, and have challah, often round shaped like a mountain! Another custom is to eat some of the first fruits of the season. Another name for Shavuot is Khag HaBikkurim, the Festival of the First Fruits. Some communities will stay up all night learning Torah and getting ready for the Revelation at dawn. In the morning we read from the Aseret haDibrot, the Ten Words or “Ten Commandments” as they became known. We would have a better world if people would adhere to these principles. Thankfully, we still have these Words to guide us. Take a look at Exodus 21.

We are offering a few opportunities on Shavuot to celebrate. Some of us will gather virtually at 8:00AM on Sunday to hear the reading from the Torah. Some will gather at Sanctuary at 5pm for some learning and singing, followed by a Shavuot dairy and vegan meal. At 7 pm we will be treated to a Shiur with Rabbi Moshe Levin from San Francisco via Zoom. Our Moshe will talk to us about “Who Wrote the Torah?”

Enjoy the special light of the coming days.

With heads lifted,

May we give each other blessings this Yontiv weekend,

Reb David