Shalom, BAI!
Just a few hour ago, Donald Erlichman and I returned from a journey, a journey through time and Turnpike. For now the third year, BAI is putting on a ‘Lower East Side Comes to the Main Line’ event. This time we are going all out with Kosher NY Deli (and delicious vegan fare as well!), part of our “Jewish Eats” series on Shabbat Kiddush.
We have a weekend full of song, prayer, food, Wildcats (in the house!), and then, more music and prayer!
Be with us!
A quick word about our Torah portion. Tetzaveh, means, “commands” and this week God commands and instructs Moses regarding the dress for the High Priests, the “Ner Tamid”, the eternal light or eternal flame, and a command for all of us to be a nation of Priests, of living out our lives with holiness.
Rabbi Shefa Gold writes:
“TETZAVEH DESCRIBES THE CEREMONY OF CONSECRATION, as we become priest and priestess in service to Shekhina, the Indwelling Presence of the Divine in our lives. In honor of our devotion to this sacred work we wear fine linens of luminous gold, shining blue, royal purple and passionate scarlet, and precious jewels engraved with the sacred names of our beloveds. Blue pomegranates and golden bells adorn the hem of our robes, and every detail is meant to remind us that this beauty has a purpose.
Across our foreheads each of us carries an inscription that hangs down from the crown of our priesthood. It says, “Kadosh Le-YudHayVovHay” (Holy for God) who is, was and will be the Ground of Being. When we get distracted or confused, it is possible to look at the forehead of a friend and see their lives inscribed for Holiness and remember what we too are working for, and why we are alive.
For her full commentary, click here.
Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Harold
