Rabbi Howard Morrison

Parshat Naso is the longest single portion in the entire Torah. While a number of different narratives appear, there is a pervading theme - Peace. The story about a wife accused of committing adultery leads to an ancient ritual whose sole purpose is to result in Shalom Bayit - peace in the home. 

The origin of the Priestly blessing appears in this Parsha. The final words, "May God establish peace for you," inspires the end of core liturgical prayers, such as the Amidah and Kaddish, all containing aspirations for peace.

The twelve-fold repetition of the exact same dedication gifts brought by the twelve tribes of Israel is structured so that there was absolute peace among them.

Sadly, there is little or no peace felt among Jews world-wide. In the U.S. alone, three recent incidents of terror have Jews feeling like they are being hunted: A Jewish governor's home was burned in an act of terror on Pesach night; two Israeli embassy staffers were murdered two weeks ago upon leaving from the Capital Jewish museum; and this past Sunday - twelve Jews were literally burned alive by a terrorist in Boulder Colorado. There, an eighty-eight-year-old Holocaust survivor was one of the most wounded. How unimaginable - this woman experienced the worst as a young child. Now "in the land of the home of the free," to face horror again at this stage in her life?! We pray for the well being of all those who were impacted.

Canada was recently designated as being unsafe for Jews, with travel advisories being issued for those entering or leaving Canada by air.

Enough already! May the leaders of all societies initiate programs of safety and peace for all Jews living in their domains.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison