This coming Shabbat June 4-5, 2004 – Sivan 16, 5764 we will read Parshat B’ha-Alotecha (annual cycle Numbers 8:1-12:16; triennial cycle Numbers 10:35-12:16).
The Haftarah reading is from Zechariah 2:14-4:7.
This is the first D’var Torah I am sending you via e-mail since we began reading Sefer B’midbar (the Book of Numbers) a couple of weeks ago. Although this book is referred to as “Numbers” in English, it is the Hebrew name – B’midbar – which is more suggestive of the dominant theme contained in this fourth book of the Torah.
B’midbar means “in the wilderness.” The book is framed by the various travels of the Israelites during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. They are continually engaged in travel. They are also continuously undergoing transition. After more than 400 years of living in one place, the land of Egypt, they now, at least for the time being, have no place.
Sefer B’midbar continually informs us of the internal strife among the Israelites. This strife led to murmurings and attempted rebellion against the leadership of Moses. The Israelites must have wondered if all they were doing was wandering, from place to place, with no specific purpose or direction.
Doesn’t this metaphor of wandering apply to so many of us annually, especially at this time of the year? Many of our children are graduating from high school, college or other educational programs. This summer looms as a more significant period of transition for them than most others up till now. Sure they’ve made their plans for the next year or two or four, but exactly what will happen as those plans unfold, no one really knows. Will they, like our ancestors, eventually reach the promised land? For our children and grandchildren, where exactly is the promised land? A job, career, profession, family life, business? And how many stops will they have to make along the way?
Of course this is true not only for our children and grandchildren, but for each and every one of us as well. We read Parashat B’ha-Alotecha each year as summer approaches and as the academic school year comes to a close. The same is true for the synagogue fiscal year, and we know that this summer will be a period of transition for us at B’nai Shalom of Olney. Phyllis Becker, our executive director for the last 9 years, will be replaced by someone filling that position on a fulltime basis. We thank her for her fine efforts as mentioned in the synagogue newsletter.
Also, Lee Lubarsky, our youth director of the last two years leaves B’nai Shalom of Olney to pursue graduate studies at Seton Hall University. We thank him and we will do so a bit more formally this coming Friday night at the 7:30 p.m. Family/Birthday/Anniversary/Youth Group transition service.
Summer usually brings to many of us time to regroup and revisit our own priorities in life. In our hemisphere summer is followed by the high holidays which jump start the new year not only for the Jewish people, but also for many other segments of population in our society.
An anonymous author once wrote, “The trip becomes ‘a journey’ after you have lost your luggage.” Whether you are on a trip, or whether you have lost some of your luggage and have begun a journey will be for you to determine as the year 5764 enters its final quarter. Wherever you travel, or wherever you stay, may your eyes be open to the signs and signals that God will send you in ways similar to those sent to our ancestors as they were traveling through the wilderness.
As is written in this week’s Torah portion, Numbers 9:23 –
“On a sign from the Lord they made camp and on a sign from the Lord they broke camp; they observed the Lord’s mandate at the Lord’s bidding through Moses.”
Candle lighting time is 8:10 p.m.
Our Friday night Family/Birthday/Anniversary/Youth Group Transition Service will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Our Shabbat morning service will begin at 9:00 a.m. During the service we will celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Majower. Mazel Tov!
Our service on Sunday morning June 6 will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Shabbat Shalom,