Rabbi Howard Morrison

In Parshat Vayera, Abraham and Sarah are situated at the entry of their tent. Our tradition understands them as exemplars for welcoming guests and providing for those in need. Three passersby (angels in disguise) are immediately welcomed into the tent. They are provided with food, drink, and shelter.

The Jewish home is spiritually modelled from that first Jewish home. The chuppa, a symbol of the new home, is structured with a cover on top and with sides open to replicate the open tent of the first Jewish couple.

Likewise, a synagogue is meant to be a welcoming place. This past Shabbat, we had our largest Shabbat morning turnout during the pandemic and with a sponsored kiddush bag of goodies to go. I am grateful that the Shabbat morning attendance is increasing and am equally grateful to the over one hundred households which join us via livestream every Shabbat. We are now trying to invigorate our turnouts on Friday evening as well as Monday and Thursday mornings, the weekday services with Torah reading.

Likewise, the open tent theme applies to being there for each other at times of joy and grief. Last week, sadly, four funerals took place within the Beth Emeth family. On Sunday alone, I participated in a Bat Mitzvah, two unveilings, and an on line baby naming. The loving open tent of caring was reflected by our community in all of these situations.

May we know much more from celebration than tragedy. May we perpetuate the open tent/door policy in our homes and synagogue, a lesson learned from the outset of this week's Torah portion.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison