Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Yesterday, I observed the twenty-first Yahrzeit ot my father, Ruben Morrison, of blessed memory. His Hebrew name was Reuven ben Moshe.

In Parshat Shlach, Moses assembles leaders of the twelve tribes to scout the Promised Land. The order of the tribes does not indicate any logical sequence. Many commentators suggest that the list is prioritized by values and reputation. Keeping that in mind, the first tribe listed by Moshe is Reuven, noteworthy to me since my dad's name was Reuven ben Moshe.

The chieftain of the tribe of Reuven was named Shamua ben Zacur. As we know, names have meanings. Shamua, from Shma, means one who listens. Zacur, from Zachor, means one who remembers.

Listening and remembering are two of the most important Jewish values, whether the context is family, friends, business, society, or our Jewish heritage. The commands to listen and to remember are pervasive in our tradition.

My father, of blessed memory, embodied these values in a variety of contexts. So may we emulate the qualities of the first tribe selected, Reuven, by Moshe.

May the Neshama/soul of my father and teacher, Reuven ben Moshe, be bound in the bond of life eternal.

Rabbi Howard Morrison