Dear TBZ community:
וַיִּקַּ֣ח קֹ֔רַח בֶּן־יִצְהָ֥ר בֶּן־קְהָ֖ת בֶּן־לֵוִ֑י וְדָתָ֨ן וַאֲבִירָ֜ם בְּנֵ֧י אֱלִיאָ֛ב וְא֥וֹן בֶּן־פֶּ֖לֶת בְּנֵ֥י רְאוּבֵֽן
Now Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself,
along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben.
This week’s parasha begins with the story of Korach and his rebellion against Moses and God. The first word of this week’s parsha, Vayikach, literally means “he took.” The verse does not tell us what he took; the translation we read says that he betook himself. In Targum Onkelos, the Aramaic translation of Torah Vaikach says וְאִתְפְּלֵג - and he separated himslef.
The medieval commentator Rashi explains:
He betook himself on one side with the view of separating himself from out of the community so that he might raise a protest regarding the priesthood to which Moses had appointed his brother. This is what Onkelos means when he renders it by ואתפלג — “he separated himself” from the rest of the community in order to maintain dissension.
Over the past fifteen months, I have come to realize more than ever the power of community. We have learned so much these past fifteen months -- about ourselves, about our loved ones, about our country, about the world, and about the place and meaning of community in our lives. We have found ways to stay connected, to strive for belonging even while separated and even when we were alone. Staying connected, feeling a part of community has been difficult for some, easier for others, and for some near impossible.
As we move forward to this post-pandemic life, I reflect and I invite you to do so with me on the following questions: What does it mean to be a part of a community? What does it mean to build and to belong to meaningful and intentional communities?
Korach, in our tradition, is understood as one that argues, not for the sake of heaven. The Mishna in Pirkei Avot 5:17 explains: “What is an example of an argument not for the sake of heaven's name? The argument of Korach and all of his followers.”
Korach rebels against the authority of Moses and against the order that God had set in place. Perhaps what Korach really does that is problematic is that he separated himself, he betook himself, and he divided the community. He set himself and his people apart. In a moment of crisis, in a moment of fear of the unknown, instead of being a leader that builds community, he divides.
Last Sunday, as we celebrated Tyler’s ordination, I was blessed to be with him and his family in a small outdoor celebration. In joy and celebration we held hands and danced. I realized in that moment how much I had missed that experience of standing together, of dancing together, of holding hands together, while singing Simen Tov U’Mazel Tov. As I tried to hold my tears, I took in the faces of the jubilant circle of dancers and I felt tremendous gratitude for our community, for belonging to this place, for being a part of something rather than being apart.
It has been my practice for the last thirteen!! years, to offer dedicated blessings/misheberach to our B’nei Mitzvah students on the day of their simcha (the first one was to Aron Kraus in August 2008!). I always bless them that they will continue to be part of relevant and meaningful communities. That is my blessing to them and to each of you.
In our pre-pandemic world individualism and separateness seemed to be a default; but I hope that we have learned from this time that it is our meaningful and intentional community that keeps us strong.
Please join us this Sunday as we celebrate our TBZ community in our annual Spring Fundraiser. We will be celebrating this community: our staff, our teachers, and we will be saying Shehecheyanu - the blessing for arriving to this moment, for keeping us alive to this day, for blessing us for being able to be here, now and together IN community.
Please note: As summer approaches, I will be taking a break from Shabbat N’kabla messages. I plan to return to writing weekly on Rosh Hodesh Elul (August 6).
May this Shabbat bring renewal and blessings to all of you and your loved ones.
May we find strength, courage, and patience, and open our hearts with generosity.
May all those who are ill find healing of spirit
May we have a joyful and restful Shabbat!
Shabbat Shalom
