Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

This week, Rosh Chodesh Nisan and the beginning of the book of Vayikra coincide. The major themes of both are instructive during this challenging time.

The book of Vayikra contains commandments about the bringing of certain sacrifices to the Temple. Once the Temple was destroyed, our rabbinic ancestors were able to preserve the narrative of the sacrifices by adapting and evolving Judaism into verbal prayer.

The Passover month of Nisan takes us back to the original commandment of bringing a roasted lamb to the Temple, which would be celebrated by families along with Matzah and Marror. Once the Temple was destroyed, our rabbinic ancestors were able preserve the narrative of the three primary Passover symbols by adapting and evolving Judaism into the Seder, as we know it today.

Nowadays, our generation is learning to adapt and evolve Judaism as well. We are preserving the best features of synagogue life: prayer, lovingkindness, music, Divrei Torah, and topical learning and developing them through virtual social media.

While I pray that soon we will return to familiar norms, I am grateful for all those who are helping to maintain Judaism with the current new normal.

I wish everyone Shabbat Shalom.

Be safe. Betters days are coming.

Rabbi Howard Morrison