Enjoy Torah Sparks- creative commentaries on the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings written by Conservative Yeshiva faculty.
In last week’s parashah – Bereishit – as the Torah was mapping out the creation of the world and everything in it, we learned something very important: “God created [hu]man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27)
In this week’s parashah, we are offered a deeper understanding of the implications of what it means to be created in God’s image: “For your own life-blood I [God] will require a reckoning…Whoever sheds the blood of a [hu]man, by a [hu]man shall his blood be shed; For in His image did God make humans.” (Gen 9:5-6)
Perhaps God assumed at the outset of creation that humans would be so grateful for being created in God’s image that they would naturally understand that to take a life is a direct assault on our Creator and ourselves. Alas, Cain missed that day in school and the course of history was forever changed when he murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy. For future generations (us), the implications of what this responsibility truly entails is spelled out in Genesis 9. As we all know, until this very day there are countless people spanning all religions, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds who fail to understand this critical ethical message.
This past week we welcomed in the new month of Heshvan on Wednesday and Thursday. I encourage you to read “Laissez Faire Security,” a letter written by Anat Hoffman, one of the founders of Women of the Wall – a group of Modern Orthodox women who began holding a service in the women’s section of the Kotel more than 30 years ago for a monthly religious celebration of Rosh Hodesh. After all, according to rabbinic midrash, God ultimately imbued this monthly New Moon celebration with special significance for women.
This letter to WOW supporters shocked me: “’I hope they die.’ These words were overheard by a French journalist who joined us at the Kotel this morning. The curse was uttered in French by two security guards who thought that no one would understand them. It is no secret that the guards at the Kotel do not protect us from violence, but a death wish?! Abhorrent.” (continue reading here)
In the world we currently live in, the value of human life has become meaningless - both in word and in deed. We should all be ashamed, angry and scared, not only as Jews who cannot believe that people would wish death upon women longing to pray and read Torah in a sacred space, but as Americans whose elected officials cannot put into effect laws that could help reduce the growing number of deaths to innocent victims experienced in this country every year because of reckless gun violence. Don’t even get me started on all the known genocides going on throughout the world right now that most of us do not have the head or heart space to grieve over.
If you missed last week’s inspiring interview with Rabbi Tamar Mannaseh, founder of Mothers and Men Against Senseless Killing (MASK), I encourage you to watch it at your leisure.
“To save one life is to save the world” (Tractate Sanhedrin 37a). Likewise, when an innocent life is taken through murder, this week’s parashah reminds us that a piece of every living soul is killed with it. Each of us, every day, must do what we can to remedy the epidemic assault on human life before us.
“We are not obliged to finish the task, but neither are we free to neglect it.” (Pirkei Avot 2:21)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin
Friday, October 8 at 6:00pm (PDT) FRIDAY NIGHT BY CANDLELIGHT Rabbi Marcia Tilchin and friends lead Friday night services at Temple Beth Emet. Join in person - 1770 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim or on livestream.
Saturday, October 9 at 2:00pm (PDT) TWELVE STEPS & TORAH Shabbat afternoon Torah study informed by the wisdom of Twelve Step recovery. Join us on Zoom. For more information and to be added to the Twelve Steps & Torah email list, click here.
Next Havdalah Together is October 30th at 7:00pm
Monday, October 11 at 9:30am (PDT) ADVANCED LEARNING INSTITUTE Rabbi David Lazar returns for part 9 of the 12-week course Piety, Politics and Prophecy: The Surprising Book of Daniel. Click here to learn more, register, and access the course source sheets and recordings. Join us on Zoom or Facebook.
Wednesday, October 13 at 7:00pm (PDT) ALI EVENING SERIES: REMIX JUDAISM Professor and author Roberta Kwall articulates a distinct vision for Judaism that illustrates how we can deepen our connection to authentic Jewish tradition by performing selected rituals consistently and attaching a personal meaning to them. Register here for the series. Oct. 13, Nov. 3, Dec. 1. Learn more.
Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00pm (PDT) CIRCLE OF HOPE & HEALING This 90-minute gathering is an opportunity to share our respective journeys through grief of all kinds toward a place of healing. We will learn, explore and connect — together. Register in advance here. Meet the group's facilitators here.
Saturday, October 30 at 7:00pm (PDT) HAVDALAH TOGETHER Havdalah Together resumes on October 30 with special guest, OC Policy AdvocateAyn Craciun speaking about her current work to effect Climate Change policies throughout Orange County.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Sunday, October 10th at 4:30pm CANTOR ARI SCHWARTZ IN CONCERT Cantor Ari Schwartz & Ensemble perform at Congregation Shir HaMa'alot. This program is open to the community with both indoor and outdoor seating available. Admission is free. Registration is required.
Tuesday, October 12 at 4:30pm (PDT) NEW BOOK STUDY GROUP Join Scott Spitzer and Susan Seely to discuss Micah Goodman’s book, Catch-67, for this inaugural J Street Orange County Book Group! Join on Zoom. Meeting ID: 971 2646 1706 Passcode: 049438.
The OC Jewish Coalition for Refugees film seriescontinues with the screening of Unsettled. Register here to watch the film and receive the link to the Zoom panel with Director Tom Shepard on Thursday, October 21st at 4pm (PDT).
TheJewish Collaborative of Orange County is a creative, collaborative, and compassionate community mosaic dedicated to innovating and supporting local and national programming that enriches the landscape of Jewish life and encouraging individuals and families to connect their passions and purpose with Judaism.
Jewish Collaborative of Orange County 2200 San Joaquin Hills Rd. Newport Beach, CA 92660
