וַהֲסִרֹתִ֥י מַחֲלָ֖ה מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃
I will remove sickness from your midst. Ex 23:25, Parashat Mishpatim
This week, God promises and foretells the coming of the Covid-19 vaccine, with the verse above. Each time I hear of someone getting the vaccine, I feel a thrill run through me. I am grateful that there is another person safer, one body closer to global recovery, one more contribution toward societal immunity. One more person with faith in science, one more elder being honoured and cared for by our nation, one more link in the chain that binds us all together.
The tiny bit of liquid health is a symbol of so much: the grief and heartache from the pandemic and its opposite, the hope for a new day dawning.
Because clergy are eligible in Massachusetts, my husband Michael and I got our first vaccination shots last week. I felt like we were participating in a miracle. If one needed an example of the interplay between science and God, the vaccine is it. God gave us the brains, creative abilities, determination, and immune systems needed to use science to create a modern miraculous crossing from suffering into freedom.
The nurses and I got into a powerful conversation about their role in bringing this miracle to the people. They too felt that they were part of something much bigger than just putting a needle in someone’s arm. They were aware that they were doing holy work with every shot.
Although I felt awe, I also had angst. My angst came because of my worry that once again, those with white skin, or economic resources, who can afford internet, cars and a good education, or who were lucky enough to be born in a well off country, or on one side of a border versus another, will get the vaccine sooner than people in poverty, or people of colour. The little vial of equalization, that will bring better health for all of us, that works in all bodies the same way, also highlights the racial and economic disparity in our country and internationally.
Although we are all children of God, human territorial squabbles are blocking this miracle from spreading as it should to all peoples. Whether it is Brexit borders or Palestinian villages, African countries, or slow moving states, this vaccine has gotten caught in the knots of flawed human greed, prejudices, territorialism and sometimes, plain old lack of organization.
The year 2020, and this pandemic, shed new light on the truth of our interdependence, despite our differences and flaws. I am hopeful that we will take the lessons learned from this tragic time to create a new Promised Land where, as our parasha says, ‘there will be no needy among you.’
Because of challenges that you may be facing getting a vaccine, CMT, Candy Gould and our Support Squad are reaching out to all our eligible members to help you get the vaccine. Please reach out to the synagogue office if you need assistance with getting an appointment, or getting to the vaccination site.
This Shabbat, I offer you a gift of a blessing, written by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein, to say when you get your vaccine:
Modah Ani/Modeh Ani
I thank You
For the wisdom of the scientists
For the courage of the trial volunteers
For the strength and compassion of the health care professionals
For the patience of the delivery workers
All who have brought us to this moment.
For our bodies, Our finely balanced networks
Capable of blessing You.
May this vaccine offer protection. May it offer strength. May it offer hope.
Baruch atah Adonai, Shehechianu v'ki'manu v'higianu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, who has kept us alive and sustained us and enabled us to reach this very moment. Click here for a video of Rabbi Plumb receiving her vaccine and blessing the moment. 
