How do we mark time? How do we engage in our closest and most sacred relationships? These are the questions that come to mind this coming Shabbat, the fourth of special Shabbatot Pleading up to Pesach. It is called Shabbat HaChodesh (The Shabbat of the Month) because it is the Shabbat that immediately precedes the month of Nissan, the month of Pesach. In the special maftir Torah portion for this Shabbat we read, “This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.” (Exodus 12:2) and our Torah portion then goes on to describe the first Passover Seder and the sacrifice of the paschal lamb. Thus, calendared, or marked time begins with the month of the Exodus from Egypt, not with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, as we often assume. It is our liberation from slavery that is the essential event and all Jewish times starts and returns to this central event. So, how we mark time tells us what we, our culture, values most.
It is the same in relationships. In this week’s Torah portion, Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, are killed when they bring strange fire, or unsanctioned incense into the Holy of Holies. Some of our sages explain that they were killed, not because of any sin, but because their desire to be close to God was so strong that they entered the Holy of Holies when they should not have done so. In their excitement and desire they did not respect God’s boundaries; thus they were struck down. We can learn from this that a strong relationship must be motivated by a desire for genuine connection with the other. A good relationship should be close, giving, and concerned. But we also need to respect the autonomy and the boundaries of others. If we are overbearing or focused only on our needs, we do not see the other person for who they are and their needs.
How we mark time and how we treat others shows who we are and what we value most.
Shmini, Leviticus 9:1-11:47; Exodus 12:1-20; Parashat Hashavua for Shabbat HaChodesh, April 6 , 2024
April 4, 2024 by Dean Kertesz • Drashot
How do we mark time? How do we engage in our closest and most sacred relationships? These are the questions that come to mind this coming Shabbat, the fourth of special Shabbatot Pleading up to Pesach. It is called Shabbat HaChodesh (The Shabbat of the Month) because it is the Shabbat that immediately precedes the month of Nissan, the month of Pesach. In the special maftir Torah portion for this Shabbat we read, “This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.” (Exodus 12:2) and our Torah portion then goes on to describe the first Passover Seder and the sacrifice of the paschal lamb. Thus, calendared, or marked time begins with the month of the Exodus from Egypt, not with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, as we often assume. It is our liberation from slavery that is the essential event and all Jewish times starts and returns to this central event. So, how we mark time tells us what we, our culture, values most.
It is the same in relationships. In this week’s Torah portion, Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, are killed when they bring strange fire, or unsanctioned incense into the Holy of Holies. Some of our sages explain that they were killed, not because of any sin, but because their desire to be close to God was so strong that they entered the Holy of Holies when they should not have done so. In their excitement and desire they did not respect God’s boundaries; thus they were struck down. We can learn from this that a strong relationship must be motivated by a desire for genuine connection with the other. A good relationship should be close, giving, and concerned. But we also need to respect the autonomy and the boundaries of others. If we are overbearing or focused only on our needs, we do not see the other person for who they are and their needs.
How we mark time and how we treat others shows who we are and what we value most.