In our parasha this week, Parashat Naso, we read about the punishment that takes place if someone breaks faith with God. They are to drink bitter waters. After they make restitution for their sins, then the entire Israelite community is blessed with the priestly benediction - May G!d bless you and keep you, May G!d’s face shine upon you and bring you peace.
This past week, on top of the continuing pandemic, we have been forced to look upon our sins, and the fact that we in America have broken faith with G!d. Even though we enacted the Civil Rights Laws, we have continued to systematically, deliberately turn away from the pain and suffering that we have caused our fellow black and brown citizens. We continue to ignore the cries of G!ds children.
Many of us have felt sadness, fear and uncertainty this week. Our unease, our discomfort, is holy. We should feel uncomfortable. It means our hearts are opening to the needs of others.
Abraham Joshua Heschel said: ‘There is immense silent agony in the world, and the task of man/humanity is to be a voice for the plundered poor, to prevent the desecration of the soul and the violation of our dream of honesty.…that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.’
Although this past week has been painful and frightening, I am hopeful. Perhaps our eyes are truly being opened. Perhaps from now, we will be inspired to practice hitlamdut, self-learning, and find the courage to admit our own racism. If we can be honest with ourselves, and change, then we will be blessed with peace within our souls, our neighborhoods and our country.
At the end of this email, there is a link to some resources you may find useful as we work to shift our biases. Please send resources that you suggest. We will be introducing a ‘congregational read’ on anti-racism soon. I hope you will join us.
This week also marks the beginning of Pride Month. Here at CMT, we affirm the right of every person to fulfill their potential regardless of race, creed, gender, economic reality, or sexual identity.
This Shabbat, may we find sacred rest and sacred uneasiness. May we find hope in both.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
