3/16/20
Dear Friends,
This Shabbat, we read Parshat Ki Tissa. The retelling of the Golden Calf Story. When Moses did not come down from Mount Sinai, the Israelites became worries, uncertain and even scared about what would happen to them. Some of them panicked by forcing Aaron to build the golden calf for them to worship instead of just worshiping God directly. I can't help but think that we are in a moment of worry, uncertainty and being afraid of what will happen. So much of our normal lives have and are being cancelled. Seniors in high school are missing long anticipated end of year programs. College students are worried about losing their credits for their semester and not graduating. Many parents are stressed for their children getting sick or their own parents getting sick. So many of us are stressed in these moments. And then Moses came along with the Torah that teaches us that in good times and bad, God is there, the community is there, and we can be there for one another. Unlike past epidemics, we are blessed to have the phone, the Facebook, and the Zoom to keep us connected. As we are about to enter into Shabbat, may I encourage each of you to reach out to your loved ones and friends to let them know you care for them and are thinking about them. Continue to practice great handwashing to your favorite song, and while we should practice social distancing, we can certainly go our of our way through deeds and gestures the care we have for one another.
Shabbat Shalom. May God grant us health and help us through these difficult times.
Rabbi Aaron Gaber
