Temple Knesset Israel

A Slice of Life      

by Rabbi Robert Elias

May 28, 2020

It has been a long time since we’ve been able to come to services at Knesset Israel.  Guidelines have now been issued to allow us to resume services.  We are targeting June 13th for our return.  Between now and then, we will make all necessary preparations that are required for us to open safely.  We will follow all the rules.  We will have social distancing, only families sitting together.  We will wear face masks.  We have ordered thermometers and everyone will be checked upon entering.  We will have hand sanitizing dispensers in three places.  Children will NOT be allowed to play outside.  The entire facility will be cleaned and sanitized before we return.  We will give every person their own siddur and chumash, which will be left on their seat and only used by that person each week.  If you do not have your own tallit, you will get one and it is to be left on your seat so you will use the same tallit every week.  We will have other requirements for bathroom use, to keep it clean and sanitized.   The Torah reading will be done differently, so that only one person will be at the Torah at a time.  We are also looking at shortening the service by one hour, at least in the beginning.  We are doing all this, and more, to assure everyone that it will be safe to return for services.  We love to be together.  Our shul is very special in that we love each other and enjoy each others’ company.  I miss all of you and look forward to seeing all of you again.

Unfortunately, we will not be open in time for celebrating Shavuot together.  This is a great holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  We have been counting 49 days since Pesach and Shavuot reminds us of our deep, everlasting connection between the Jewish people and Hashem.  We see Shavuot as a sort of marriage between Hashem and us.  Hashem is the groom.  We are the bride.  Sinai is the chupah.  The Torah is the ketubah.  While we celebrate the holiday at home, we should give thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives daily.  As always, we must follow the rules.  We must be smart and keep safe.  However, as we shelter in place and slowly open up, we must do so without fear, with confidence in our ability to get through this.  Be strong and of good courage.  May our great G-d watch over you, bless you, and keep you healthy, safe and strong.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,  

March 26, 2020

Dear Friends,

As all of us are well aware, the Corona Virus has virtually shut down our entire country, at least temporarily, until health officials tell us it is safe to congregate again. We are obligated, under Halacha, Jewish law, to follow the recommendations of doctors and health experts, in order to safeguard our lives. Even if there is only a slight chance that a life might be in danger, we always choose to proceed with caution.  The Torah tells us in Leviticus 18:5 "You shall observe My decrees and My laws, which a man shall do and live by them, I am Hashem".  The rabbis explain that Hashem wants us to live by the laws and not die by them.  Pikuach Nefesh, guarding ones life overrides the commandments.  Therefore, we have well established that we must be vigilant in protecting ourselves by doing all that is prescribed by the leadership of our country.

Some perspective that is encouraging.  Statistically, in a nation of approximately 330 million people, one percent of the population is 3.3 million, one tenth of one percent is 330 thousand, and there are nowhere near that amount that tested positive.  The chances of you getting the virus is tiny.  Then, 98.5 percent of those who test positive, recover.  There is no reason to panic.

We lose many, many thousands of people every year to the flu.  Huge numbers die from car accidents, drugs, gun violence and lots of other causes.  Every such death is sad and we mourn the loss of life but it does not get anywhere the attention or news coverage that it would deserve.  Perhaps that is a good thing since we cannot allow ourselves to live in a constant state of depression.  I would not want to hear news reports every day about how many people died that day and what the causes were.  It would quickly become grim and I would tune out.

Every day of our lives, and especially at a time like this, we must be hopeful, brave and unafraid.  This is truest during the most difficult times.  King David, in Psalm 23 tells us, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me."  Fear can be paralyzing and stop us from being fully alive.  We must always hope and expect the best, but if something negative or bad happens, we must trust that we will deal with it to the best of our abilities and solve it.  During trying times, we must never forget that Hashem is with you.  You have not been abandoned by the Merciful One.  Life sometimes tests us to the extreme and we must muster all our faculties and resources to pass the test.  It becomes easier if we can feel Hashem's love to guide us from the darkness back into the light.

Rabbi Nachman of Bratislav (1772-1810) summed it up quite succinctly in his amazing philosophical dictum. I will paraphrase it slightly.  "The whole world, in its entirety, can be compared to a very narrow, rickety bridge.  To live life means you have to cross that bridge, and the main thing in accomplishing that, is not to be afraid at all."

As Moses passes the leadership of the Jewish people to Joshua,in front of the entire nation, he repeatedly blesses him with the words, "Chazak Ve'Ematz"  Be strong and of good courage.(Deuteronomy 31:7)  Moses goes on to encourage Joshua in the next sentence, "Hashem, it is He Who goes before you; He will be with you; He will not release you nor will He forsake you; do not be afraid and do not be dismayed."  Moses gives the exact same blessing to the entire nation.  The leader and all the people must be on the same page, moving forward together with faith and confidence.

When we finish reading each book of the Torah, the congregation stands and says, "Chazak, chazak, Ve'Nitchazek"  Be strong, be strong, and we will strengthen each other.

As the holiday of Pesach approaches, let us celebrate freedom from bondage and freedom from fear.  Let us be strong physically and let us be strong spiritually, and let us help to strengthen each other in this trying time.

I miss being together on Shabbat since it is, and always has been, the highlight of my week.  I look forward to the time, soon I hope, when we can resume coming to shul and, once again, enjoy each other's company.  Until then, may the Almighty bless you and watch over you and keep you safe.

Shalom U'Brecha,

Rabbi Robert Elias