Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

"TGIS - Thank God it's Shabbos" takes on a new and special meaning this year. Regardless of our personal levels of observance, many of us will be more "Shomer Shabbat" out of necessity.

In Israel, many modes of daily operation which are usually in effect on Shabbat will be shut down because of the virus.

Here too, with many people being self isolated or limiting themselves to being with small numbers of people, the gift of Shabbat becomes more significant.

As a child, I used to complain about the "do not" rules of Shabbat. As an adult, I have come to appreciate the interrelationship between "Remember (what we do on Shabbat)" and "Shamor (what we do not do on Shabbat)." The fuller level of observance allows one to see the good in the world around us, better appreciate our family and friends, and to understand that God has a higher purpose for us beyond our work day pursuits.

Parshat Vayakhel begins with an interplay between public sacred space, the Tabernacle, and sacred time, Shabbat. While we cannot always participate in public sacred space, such as attending synagogue even in the best of times, we can always observe and celebrate Shabbat, a sacred period of time which transcends public or private space.

The famous statement coined by the cultural Zionist, Ahad Ha'Am, rings especially true this Shabbat: "More than the Jews have preserved Shabbat, Shabbat has preserved the Jews.

Wishing us all a true, peaceful and meaningful Sabbath.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison