Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

This Friday, we will celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, which commemorates the miracle of the six day war fifty-three years ago in 1967. Many of us remember this time in modern Jewish history like it was yesterday. As a seven year old, I do not remember much except for the following. I remember my father being glued to the large radio which rested on our kitchen refrigerator. I remember him explaining to me the events as they transpired. That memory for me made a strong impact when six years later in 1973, I celebrated my Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, something which could not have taken place prior to the six day war.

From the time of King David, Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for over three thousand years. In Jewish tradition, one is supposed to face Jerusalem during prayer. If one prays from outside of Israel, face Israel. If one prays from within Israel, face Jerusalem. If one prays from within Jerusalem, face the old city. If one prays from within the old city, face the site of the Temple. If one prays from within the Temple, face the holy of holies.

Living in North America, we face Mizrach, East, when we pray, so that we physically and spiritually face Jerusalem. Some people buy as a gift a Mizrach wallhanging to be affixed on an Eastern wall in one's home.

While we are temporarily unable to pray as a community facing East from within our beautiful sanctuary or chapel, we can still pray as often as we can on line with our Beth Emeth family or privately.

Face East. Face Jerusalem. Remember past visits. Plan future visits. For thousands of years, our ancestors could only dream of being in Israel, in general, or Jersalem, specifically. As we face East, we metaphysically bring ourselves to Jerusalem and Jerusalem to us.

Please join us Friday for a celebratory Yom Yerushalayim service in the morning and a concert in the afternoon.

Rabbi Howard Morrison