Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

This Shabbat, we begin to read a new book of the Torah, B'Midbar, literally, "in the wilderness." The entire book comprises most of the Israelites' experiences from having received the Torah to arriving at the threshold of the promised land, thirty-eight years in total.

The English name for the fourth book of the Torah is called "Numbers." The one theme that pervades the whole book from beginning, middle to end is a series of countings. These include but are not limited to a census of the tribes, a separate census of the levites, countings after collective punishments, a counting of the places visited along the way, and more.

Rashi, quoting the Midrash, asks why does God keep counting the Jewish people? The answer - "Mitoch chibatan menaam, out of love, God keeps counting."

We count that which is precious to us: our family members, coins, stamps, books, etc.

My father collected certain antique tools over the years. He was always counting them.

Each day, we count the days toward Shabbat. For seven weeks, we count the days from Pesach to Shavuot. We love Shabbat and Torah. Thus, we count the days surrounding them.

We count you as meaningful members of our shul, and we count on you to be active participants in virtual synagogue life.

May that which we count dearly be for good.

Rabbi Howard Morrison