Dear Friends,
This week we begin reading Devarim, the last book of the five books in the Torah. Moses had spent most of his life guiding the Israelites on their journey from an enslaved people to freedom. Now he knows that he will not be able to accompany them into the promised land. As a result, most of the book of Devarim consists of a farewell speech given by Moses to the Israelites. The speech is open, honest, and inspiring. It is Moses’ final chance to give the Israelites the confidence and the tools they need, to continue their journey and the conquest, once he is gone.
This past week, we learned of the passing of Representative John Lewis, civil rights activist, and long time congressman from the state of Georgia. I had the honor of hearing him speak when he was the keynote address at my rabbinical school graduation. His words were inspiring; in light of our Torah reading and the Shabbat to Shabbat week of learning this past week, the message he shared with us is as true now as ever before. Despite making progress, he knew that he would never reach his promised land. He spoke to us as the next generation of religious leaders, trying to give us the confidence and the tools we need, to carry his vision into the future, long after he was gone.
Like Moses, he spent his life fighting for freedom and justice. With each step he took, many of those walking side by side with the likes of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, he brought all of us closer to our own land flowing with milk and honey.
This week we have spent a lot of time thinking about the work we as a community, as a society, and as a country, have to do. It can be overwhelming. I am reminded of the famous saying from Pirke Avot. “
Lo Alecha Hamlacha Ligmor
” - that we don’t have to finish the work. Nevertheless, “
Lo Atah Ben Chorin LeHibatel Mimenah
,” we still have an obligation to pursue it.
Through study, through conversation, and through action, it is now our turn, to work toward building a brighter, better, and more just society, and future for all.
May the memory of Representative John Lewis be for a blessing.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful Shabbat.
Rabbi Josh Dorsch
