This week we read the story of Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet who was paid by the King Balak to curse the Jews. His words of cursing turned into words of blessing, words that are repeated in Ashkenazic (Jews whose origins are Eastern European) synagogues all over the world on Shabbat morning. Balaam is standing on a hillside and looks down at the tents of the Israelites and says, “Mah tovu…How lovely are your tents, oh Jacob; your dwelling places, oh Israel!” (Numbers 24:5) Torah is written without punctuation. The poet and scholar Rabbi Rami Shapiro offers that perhaps this is not a statement of description or declaration but perhaps it is a question for us to ponder, even today. Last week we installed our new officers and Board of Directors. Prior to the election, our outgoing President, Grant Gordon, offered a review of the many Emeth activities that took place during the past year. An annual review and evaluation of our congregation is important, however this is a question we must ask every time we enter our Temple: is our “tent” – our Temple – lovely today? We are we doing right and good; what are we doing that needs a correction? These are questions we should ask in our homes as well. How lovely is our “dwelling place”? Is there peace and harmony in our home? What should we be doing to demonstrate our love for one another? How can we be supporting each other better? Mah Tovu, Emeth? May you have a week of blessings and a Shabbat of peace. Rabbi Debbie Israel
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:08:18 +0000
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