Rabbi’s Shabbat Message

“I” Becomes “We”

Thank you all for making Purim a truly joyous week at Central! There was something for everyone in our week of festivities from hamantaschen bakes to comedy nights, live bands, jumping castles, dance parties and many a loud and enthusiastic Megillah reading. The crescendo was a meaningful Purim Shabbos dinner for our Central family. Thank you! We could not have done it without you. Because, as Jews, it’s all about togetherness. Our gathering.

This week’s Torah portion Vayekhel, literally means “and he gathered.” Which is precisely what Moses did. He gathered the people of Israel, after the debacle of the golden calf, to remind them of the laws of Shabbos and give specific instruction on building a sanctuary – the Tabernacle or Mishkan. Crucially, each and every person had to do their part, whether in the form of a donation or volunteering. Only with everyone’s participation did the Sanctuary become a spiritual home.

This highlights the power of kehillah – community. Moses knew the best way of turning a group of people into a TEAM is to task them to build something together. To set aside dedicated time to focus, not on the daily minutiae of our own lives, but on the things we share. When the “I” becomes “we”, one discovers the joy of becoming part of something truly meaningful.

Herb Brooks was the legendary coach of the most famous US ice hockey team in Olympic history. In 1980, his group of amateur skaters managed to take on the giants of international hockey – the Soviet Union – and win. A victory known as the ‘Miracle on Ice.’

How did Herb Brooks do it? His team was scattered and divided, but he continued to push them. He had them practice again and again, till their legs could not bear it —and then he made them do it again.
“How much longer will you torture us?” They complained. Brooks responded: “Until each of you understands that the name on the front of your jersey is more important than the one on the back.”

In Judaism, community is essential to spiritual life. We pray together, study Torah together, mourn and celebrate together. Our holiest prayers require a minyan. Even when we confess, we do so together. We come before G-d as a community, we find G-d as a community, and when we commit to the common good, we’ve officially become a proud community.

For the past year and a half we have faced, and continue to face, many challenges. As Israel continues its war effort, we all proverbially but our team uniforms on. We MUST face these challenges as a unified front. Just like the building of the Mishkan, each of us can find our own way to contribute to our shared values and our support for Am Yisroel.

With Purim behind us and Pesach just around the corner, let’s each do our part in helping our community prepare for Pesach, whether for our family, other families, or our own personal involvement of the holiday this year.

Why not learn to truly connect with the Seder and its traditions, making it more engaging for your family and friends? We have a special 2-week course starting April 1 to help you master this beautiful evening, hosted by our very own Mendel Wolff.

Mendel is also teaching a five-week crash course in reading Hebrew, just in time for Pesach, to get the most out of the Shul services and the Seder. It starts tonight, but it’s not too late to sign up.

Next Friday night we’re hosting a lively Shabbos dinner for young adults. Book early as these legendary dinners sell out fast.

I look forward to seeing our “team” gathering in Shul this Shabbos. We will pray with extra fervour for our IDF soldiers and the safe return of our precious hostages.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Levi and Chanie