Six months. 180 days. Thousands murdered. Hostages still missing, captive in Gaza where they are being held by Hamas after being brutally kidnapped on October 7th. Every day, we learn the heartbreaking news of the deaths of more IDF soldiers, more civilians, more children. This week, we received the devastating news of the accidental killing of seven World Central Kitchen multi-national aid workers, as they were trying to deliver food to Palestinians in Gaza.
My spirit and heart feel heavier and heavier as this war drags on, with no end in sight. Israel has agreed to release hundreds of prisoners in exchange for the remaining hostages. Hamas will not agree. Is Hamas seeking total destruction of Gaza and the Palestinian people? Are they using the Palestinians as pawns in their ugly tactics to keep Israel engaged in a battle both on the ground and in the press?
The blood of the dead and wounded cry out from the earth, saying “stop!” Yet, the only reply is: silence, and more blood. I, too, have run out of words. My heart is bleeding for all the pain and suffering caused by Hamas’ brutality. I am silently screaming for what Hamas has caused Israel to do. As former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir once said: “We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children.”
Death, silence, and blood. This is also one of the themes of our Torah portion this week, Parshat Shemini, from Leviticus. In this Torah portion, Aaron and his four sons are ordained as the high priests. This is supposed to be a day of great rejoicing and celebration. Yet, as the ordination celebrations come to an end, two of Aaron’s four sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer a sacrifice to God (an “alien fire”) that God did not request. God’s response? Nadab and Abihu were immediately struck down and killed for doing something “beyond the boundaries of the law.” The Torah text tells us that Aaron was not allowed to mourn, “va-yi-dom Aharon – And Aaron was silent.” (Leviticus 10:3) The Hebrew letters of the word “and Aaron was silent” are the same letters as the Hebrew word “va-yi-dam Aharon – And Aaron bled.” Aaron’s sons were killed by God, Aaron was forced to remain silent, he was not allowed to grieve. Inside, however, he was bleeding in pain and sorrow. Va-yi-dom Aharon, va-yi-dam Aharon – and Aaron was silent, but inside, Aaron was bleeding. Aaron never recovered from the loss of his two sons. His heart would always bleed for them, yet he figured out how to live his life despite this great tragedy. He moved forward, step by step, ritual by ritual. He found a way to celebrate life and all it had to offer, despite his loss.
Parshat Shemini is not simply a tale of the ancient Israelites, or a mythical story about the dangers of crossing a boundary. It speaks to us right now, at this moment in time, when each day some of us seem to lose our words because of the horrors that occur. Or we are afraid to speak our truth for fear of what others around us will think, or how they will react. So instead, we keep silent. Inside, however, we are bleeding, crying tears of blood.
How do we formulate a response to what continues to take place so that the cycle of death-silence-blood don’t mire us down?
• We choose to actively become “like the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace..” (Pirkei Avot 1:12).
• We support those who are providing direct relief and assistance to those affected by the war (we have just donated over $20,000 to different Israeli organizations involved in these efforts).
• We strengthen our own Jewish identity and communities by joining together in solidarity for Shabbat, holidays, celebrations, education, social justice activities and so much more. We are stronger together. Together, we have a voice, we will not be silenced.
• We can visit Israel and offer support and solidarity to our Israeli brothers and sisters. It will lift them up to know that they are not alone, it will strengthen their heart. Temple Beth Sholom is rescheduling our Israel trip! Due to the war, the itinerary will be different than our original trip planned for May. I am going to be co-leading a joint TBS-Shir Ha’ma’lot trip with Rabbi Rick Steinberg from December 7th – 15th, with an option for an extension from December 15th – 21st. (Complete draft itinerary, pricing, and registration will be available in a few weeks – stay tuned!)
• We can lift each other up with song, prayer, and joy this evening at our special Erev Shabbat service with our guest Musical Artist-in-Residence, Jacob ‘Spike’ Kraus, his enlightening Shabbat morning study session, and his special activity on Sunday during Mitzvah Day.
• Our hands can do the work of God’s hands as we join together this Sunday for our first Mitzvah Day since prior to the pandemic, doing acts of lovingkindness that will improve the lives of so many good people.
The root “dam” (silent, blood) in Hebrew, is also the root for the word “d’mama – still, calm.” We will not be silent any longer. Our hearts will no longer shed tears of blood. Our hands, hearts and voices will be used to restore peace to the world, so that God’s “still, small voice” will be heard once again.
Alaynu – Up to Us (Jacob “Spike” Kraus) (Click title to hear the song)
It is up to us to build the future
It’s up to us to light the way
It’s up to us to make tomorrow,
Even more than today.
It’s up to us to find the meaning,
It’s up to us to blaze the trail,
It’s up to us to push our limits,
We will not fail.
Chorus:
Alaynu (4x)
Bayom hahu, bayom hahu
It’s up to us to forge connections
It’s up to us to lead the charge.
It’s up to us to stand united
Cuz’ that’s who we are.
It’s up to us to start the process,
It’s up to us to lend our hand,
It’s our obligation to help leave the nation
Better than when we began..
Chorus
