Rabbi Howard Morrison

The last two portions in the book of Vayikra lead into the celebration of Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day,  this coming Monday. In the beginning of B'Chukotai, we read two similar statements in close proximity, ". . . You shall dwell securely in your land. I will grant peace in the land. . .  (Leviticus 26:5-6)." The former refers to relationships between Jews in Israel vis a vis their non-Jewish neighbors. The latter refers to relationships between Jews and their fellow Jews in Israel. Certainly, on both levels, there is cause for concern to this very day.

This Monday, we will celebrate the fifty-eighth anniversary of the six-day war in 1967. If there ever was a time of Jewish unity in Israel and among Jews around the world, it was the day when all of Jerusalem, old and new, was unified as a Jewish sovereign capital, which had originally been established during the reign of King David over three thousand years ago. Notwithstanding all the challenges we have faced over the last year and a half, Monday is a day of celebration for all Jews. At Beth Emeth, we will sing the psalms of Hallel and sound the Shofar, as well as continuing to recite prayers for Israel, the IDF, the remaining hostages, and the singing of Ha'Tikva.

For me personally, the double Parsha and Jerusalem Day connect directly. In May of 1973, I celebrated my Bar (B'har) Mitzvah in Jerusalem at the Kotel. My family's first visit to Israel, I still remember vividly witnessing a pioneering spirit wherever we went around the country. We had landed as Israel was celebrating her twenty-fifth year of independence. Our two week family tour began in Tel Aviv and concluded with Shabbat in Jerusalem.

I encourage everyone to find a meaningful way to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim. Join us this Shabbat morning at 9AM and Monday morning at 7:15AM for a celebration of Jerusalem. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison