Rabbi Howard Morrison

We have made it - made it through the first two books of the Torah. What a whirlwind it has been. We had completed the five books of the Torah on the Festival of Simchat Torah, the weekend of October 7. That day feels like yesterday, and that day feels like a million years ago. Was it just yesterday when Jewish life seemed to have changed so drastically? Or was this the Jewish life that had already been, but without recognition? Subsequently, we completed the first book of the Torah, Bereishit-Genesis, on December 30, just before the end of the year 2023.

Now, today, we have finished Sefer Shmot, the book of Exodus. When we began this book, as if we did not know the ending, we might have thought that the history of our people and heritage would be very short. Once a new Pharaoh arose, it would have been easy to surmise that the end was near. Jewish life was about to become extinct. The promises made to Abraham were about to be short lived. However, situations change. Ten plagues, the splitting of the sea, and our people move on to Mount Sinai and receive the Decalogue, the blueprint of the entire Torah, followed by selected laws and the instructions for building a portable Temple. Then, suddenly, it would seem that once again, the end was near. The sin of the golden calf, and before you know it, God informs Moses that it is time to select a different nation. Then, again, God's forgiveness is revealed. Our people then go on to construct a sanctuary and develop laws for Shabbat, based on the specific tasks for building the Tabernacle. As we finish the second book of the Torah, the ancient Israelites are poised to live a spiritual life which will be detailed with various kinds of sacrifices, rituals, and prayers in the third book of the Torah.

March 16, 2024 - 6 Adar #2 5784 - - - - We have completed the second book of the Torah. How are we doing? On the one hand, are we still not traumatized, still living on October 7, when much of the world is living on October 8? Are we not witnessing the rise of Jew hatred in Israel and around the world? Some of the most heinous demonstrations have taken place in the GTA by Avenue Road and the 401, in front of Mt. Sinai Hospital, in front of the Bayt, in front of the Aish Ha'Torah and Reena building in Thornhill?

Conversely, the supposed demise of the Jews is largely exaggerated. With the completion of the book of Shmot today, many more Jews are publicly identifying as Jews. Young Jews on campus have no choice and are asserting their rights and beliefs, even when universities are allowing illegal forms of displays and protests. In Israel and abroad, Jews of different religious persuasions and beliefs are coming together with a shared purpose. Our disparate parts form a singular whole. More and more Jews are wearing dog tags, bracelets, ties, etc. all affirming our support of Israel and the Jewish people. We are ever more strident in our plea to bring all of our hostages home, even when much of the world has quickly forgotten about the events of October 7.

Today's Torah lesson, Parshat Pekudei, contains a final summary of all that went into the making of a sacred space for the Israelites. The very last verse of the Parsha and the Book reads as follows: "For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the Lord rested by day, and fire would appear in it by night in view of all the house of Israel throughout their journeys." The commentary found in the Etz Hayim Chumash explains, "The Book of Exodus, which opened with a narrative of misery and oppression, closes on a note of confidence and hope. Israel is assured that, day and night, the divine spirit hovers over it, guiding and controlling its destiny."

Are we able to feel that sense of confidence and hope today? Are we able to know that we the Jewish people are in the right? Or put another way, that we are on God's side? that we are on the right side of history?

The three posscript words added to the conclusion of each book of Torah further encourages us - "Chazak Chazak V'Nitchazek - Be of strength, be of strength, and let us be strengthened as one."

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison