Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

This week's Torah portion contains many narratives which take place during the Israelites' wilderness journey. Two seemingly independent texts take on a united meaning.

We find the mystery of two inverted nuns, which surround two well known verses: "When the Ark was to set out . . . And when it (the Ark) halted (Numbers 10:35-36)." These two verses, set apart by a form of parenthesis, are recited in public prayer on Torah reading days, when the synagogue Ark is opened (verse 35), and when the synagogue Ark is closed (verse 36).

The verses which begin and conclude the Torah service are recited on Mondays, Thursdays, Sabbaths, and Festive occasions. While most prayers, with the exception of a few, may be recited in public or private, the Torah service symbolizes the fullness of community at prayer. Sadly, over the last few months, we have been unable to celebrate the public reading of Torah with its associated honors.

Toward the end of the Parsha, we read a very different prayer experience. Miriam is stricken with a skin disease. Moses, her brother, recites the briefest prayer in the Torah, consisting of five Hebrew words which literally translate as, "God, please heal her please (Numbers 12:13)."

Praying for the sick is not restricted to a public setting. A petitionary prayer for healing, couched in the plural, is found in the weekday Amidah. It can be recited individually. The brevity of Moses' prayer, which is recited privately, shows the efficacy of prayer even when recited outside the setting of community.

We are saddened that communal prayer in our synagogues has ceased over the last three months. Gradually, we shall see synagogues reopening, hopefully in a safe, healthy, and secure manner. Whether or not we can attend public services, we can still attach ourselves to God, to our people, and to our heritage through personal prayer, as exemplified by a brother caring and praying for his sister.

Rabbi Howard Morrison