Last Sunday we celebrated Shavuot, which our sages called Hag Matan Torateinu, the Holy Day of the Giving of Our Torah. The Torah reading for Shavuot is the story of Sinai, the awesome spectacle when God revealed Torah to the Israelites. It is a peak experience of mystical connection between the Israelites and God.
This week’s Torah portion begins with a seemingly trivial description of the Levites and their responsibilities to pack up and transport the Mishkan, the Sacred Tabernacle, whenever the Israelites resumed their march.
Many of us seek the peak experience of Sinai, the direct connection with God and the reception of Divine insight. But this week’s Torah portion teaches us that this is a rare occurrence, one that we may never experience. But, we can experience holiness if we, like the Levites, are willing to take responsibility for the mundane, day-to-day work of building and sustaining our congregation.
It may seem trivial, but God is consecrated in community, and it takes each of us to do our part to keep our synagogue thriving.
Nasso – Numbers 4:21 – 7:89, The Parashat Ha Shavua for Shabbat, Saturday, June 15, 2019
June 14, 2019 by Dean Kertesz • Drashot
Last Sunday we celebrated Shavuot, which our sages called Hag Matan Torateinu, the Holy Day of the Giving of Our Torah. The Torah reading for Shavuot is the story of Sinai, the awesome spectacle when God revealed Torah to the Israelites. It is a peak experience of mystical connection between the Israelites and God.
This week’s Torah portion begins with a seemingly trivial description of the Levites and their responsibilities to pack up and transport the Mishkan, the Sacred Tabernacle, whenever the Israelites resumed their march.
Many of us seek the peak experience of Sinai, the direct connection with God and the reception of Divine insight. But this week’s Torah portion teaches us that this is a rare occurrence, one that we may never experience. But, we can experience holiness if we, like the Levites, are willing to take responsibility for the mundane, day-to-day work of building and sustaining our congregation.
It may seem trivial, but God is consecrated in community, and it takes each of us to do our part to keep our synagogue thriving.