October 3, 2003 D'var Torah
Dear BSO Congregant,
This coming Shabbat, October 3-4, 2003 - Tishrei 8, 5764, we will read
Parshat Ha-Azinu (annual cycle - Deuteronomy 32:1 - 32:52; the portion
is so short that the triennial cycle reading has been designated as
identical to the annual cycle reading). Either this Torah portion or
the preceding portion of Va-Yelech is read on the Shabbat between Rosh
HaShanah and Yom Kippur, which is commonly known as Shabbat Shuvah - The Sabbath of Turning (in penitence).
In either case it is the Haftarah which gives Shabbat Shuvah its
special name (the first word of the Haftarah) and theme. Whether
we read Parshat
Ha-Azinu or Va-Yelech on the Shabbat between Rosh HaShanah and Yom
Kippur, we always read Hosea 14:2-10; Joel 2:15-27 and Micah 7:18-20
as the Haftarah. It is the only time a Haftarah consists of passages
from three separate prophetic books. Each passage adds to the theme
of repentance.
Deuteronomy 32:20 is found in Parshat Ha-Azinu - " And (God)
said: I will hide my face from them, and see how they fare in the
end. For they are a treacherous breed, children with no loyalty
in them."
The Hebrew word for "I will hide my face from them" is "ah-steer." When
looking at the word you can see how close it is to the name of the
Biblical heroine after whom a Biblical book is named - Esther. Just
as the word "ah-steer" means hidden, so is God's name and
presence missing from the text in the book of Esther. Evidently the
book of Esther is an example of the lesson stated in the verse above
from Deuteronomy. Sometimes God's presence is missing, or at least
it seems that way. Just as our children's loyalty is truly displayed
when we, the parents are not immediately in their presence to guide
and direct them, so is our loyalty to God truly displayed when God's
presence/face seems distant and removed from us. Through the inspiration
of Esther and Mordechai, the Jews of Persia remained loyal to God and
Judaism even when God "was nowhere to be seen."
Our concern that God's face may be hidden prompts us to recite Psalm
27 twice daily at this time of the year. This psalm includes our
plea to God:
" It is You that I seek, says my heart.
It is Your Presence that I seek, O Lord.
Hide not from me, reject not Your servant.
You have always been my help, do not abandon me.
Forsake me not, my God of deliverance." (Psalms 27:8-9)
Isaiah 55:6 tells us - "Seek the Lord while God can be found, Call to God
while God is near." The rabbis interpret this verse from Isaiah to indicate
that these "Yamim Nora-im - Days of Awe" are a time in which God
presence does seem stronger, closer. Let us continue on Sunday night and Monday
that which
we began last weekend. Let us together move toward God and help each other
along the way.
Yes, it is true, as the Torah points out - God's face is sometimes hidden from
our view, but it is also true that God's face does not remain hidden forever.
God does return! Something to think about on Shabbat Shuvah - The Sabbath of
Return.
Candle lighting time on Friday night October 3 is 6:28 PM.
Our service on Friday night, October 3 will begin at 7:30 PM and this will
be the October Family/Birthday & Anniversary Service.
During this service we will also celebrate the baby naming of a daughter born
to Cindy & Jason Partlow (postponed from two weeks ago due to Isabel).
Mazel Tov!
Our service on Shabbat morning, October 4 will begin at 9:15 AM.
Our service on Sunday morning September 5 will begin at 8:45 AM.
Remember - The Yom Kippur Minha/Neila/Ma-Ariv service will begin at 4:30 PM
on Monday, October 6, in the B'nai Shalom of Olney Berlin Family Sanctuary.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Philip Pohl