Rabbi’s message for Shabbat Naso 5780 - June 5-6, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Kehilat Shalom,
This week has seen massive upheaval in North America in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd, and the consequent worldwide protests against police oppression and systematic racism against Blacks and people of colour. During this time, I have fallen sometimes into the unfortunate tendency of talking but not listening. My friend Isabelle Décarie​​ pointed out that this is a crucial learning moment for us all. And perhaps my role now as rabbi or teacher is to provide some tools to engage dialogue and understanding on a deeper level.
With that being said, how do the following Jewish quotations inform your understanding of what is currently taking place?
A) לֹא תַעֲמֹד עַל-דַּם רֵעֶךָ - Thou shalt not stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour (Vayikra/Leviticus 19:16).
B) ר׳ עקיבא אומר: ״ואהבת לרעך כמוך״ זה כלל גדול בתורה
Rabbi Akiva says, “Love your neighbour as yourself” is the greatest principle of the Torah. (Sifre Kedoshim, ch. 4 section 2).
C) i. שְׁמַעְיָה אוֹמֵר... וְאַל תִּתְוַדַּע לָרָשׁוּת
Shemaiah would say:... do not identify too closely with the government. (Pirkei Avot 1:10)
ii. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא סְגַן הַכֹּהֲנִים אוֹמֵר, הֱוֵי מִתְפַּלֵּל בִּשְׁלוֹמָהּ שֶׁל מַלְכוּת, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא מוֹרָאָהּ, אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵהוּ חַיִּים בְּלָעוֹ
R. Hanina, the vice-high priest would say, Pray for the welfare of the government, because if they did not fear it, a person would swallow their fellow alive. (Pirkei Avot 3:2)
D) ועונותם הוא יסבול. שישתתף ישראל עם צער הגוים ברוב עונותם, לא כאשר עשו הם לישראל, או הטעם שיתפלל לשם בעד הגוים ... וזה הנכון בעיני, כי הפסוק הבא אחריו לעד:
“And he shall bear their iniquities”: Israel will sympathise with the non-Jewish nations in their misfortunes, although they do not sympathise with Israel in its afflictions. The meaning of the phrase might also be this: The Israelites will pray to G-d for the other nations, and G-d will send the relief and comfort prayed for. I find the latter explanation correct, as it corresponds with subsequent verses.
(Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 53:11).
I invite you to give these and other Jewish learnings your consideration as we enter into Shabbat, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas over time.
D’var Torah - Naso
This week’s parasha (Torah portion) Naso is the longest onein the Torah - 176 verses in all. A significant portion of Naso is comprised of the sacrifices presented by each of the “Roshei Hashvatim” (tribal heads) upon the dedication of the Mishkan (sanctuary/tabernacle). Each day for twelve days, one leader came forward to present a sacrifice on behalf of their shevet (tribe). Although each sacrifice was identical to the others, the sequence of their sacrificial offering is repeated in whole each time for each of the twelve leaders.
Rabbinic commentators emphasize that this Torah repetition shows that the gifts of each individual leader (and tribe) were equally significant. Each person counted, each gift counted.
It is told of Rav Yitzhak Elchanan that once, while he was holding an important meeting, a student came in and interrupted the meeting to share a piece of good news. Another student later did the same, and others later as well, each sharing the same piece of good news. Each time, to each student, the Rav replied, “Thank G-d! I appreciate very much your telling me this great piece of news. In the merit of you sharing this wonderful news, you should merit a long life and receive much Divine blessing. Yasher Koach!” Rav Yitzchak appreciated that each student needed to be heard. Each student was deemed worthy of their own recognition and blessing.
This week has seen demonstrations (and frequently, unrest) unfold not only in Minneapolis, where the police killing occurred, but also in cities across the US and around the world. One might criticize such a protest movement, arguing that it constitutes simply mindless masses following a political trend. However, it is fairer to consider that each individual community, each person, feels the need to make their voice heard.
Let us listen closely to what is being said, by people whose experiences and voices are different from ours. Each one has something to say. Listening to that message may be painful, even alarming. We may feel compelled to argue, counter or minimize what the other is saying. Instead, I encourage you to listen closely and understand what the other person is feeling and experiencing. That may cause discomfort. But when we appreciate the distress of others, we have the opportunity to gain wisdom and compassion — and to act accordingly.

Parashat Naso also contains one of the most ancient blessings in Judaism, the Kohanic (priestly) trifold blessing:
“May Hashem bless and protect you.
May Hashem shine His presence upon you and show you grace.
May Hashem bring His presence upon you and grant you peace.”
When Kohanim make this prayer in synagogue in the remarkable, ancient ritual of the Birkat Kohanim, they precede it with a unique blessing: “Blessed are You, Lord... who has commanded us to bless His people Israel — with love (b’ahava).”
This Priestly Blessing is a highly exceptional ritual: in virtually all other instances, Jews pray to G-d directly themselves, without intermediation of others. Here, the Kohanim — descendants of the priests who served in the Beit Hamimdash, descendants of Moses’ brother Aaron — serve as the conduit for G-d’s blessing of the people. As a Kohen, I find it a great privilege to conduct this ritual, which is intended to impart inspiration and hope from G-d to the congregation.
Perhaps this is why the bracha beforehand concludes with the words “with love”. Love means desiring good things for others, irrespective of self. Love means accepting and appreciating the kindness others provide you. The Sages say that it is a mitzvah/commandment both for the Kohanim to make the blessing and for the people of Israel to be blessed. Whether we bless others for goodness, or we accept such blessings with grace, we do so with love.
It is our natural inclination to react to times of turmoil with alarm, fear, and anger. It is far more challenging to transcend these reactions and instead find a way to respond with love. That love may look like Chassidim in Williamsburg handing out water bottles to protesters. Or it may look like Black people standing outside White-owned businesses to prevent them from being attacked or looted by mobs.
I hope, within our Kehila, that love can look like sitting with others with opposing viewpoints, learning and striving together, and building a stronger foundation of knowledge and justice to engage with the world around us.
Shabbat Shalom um’vorach!
_________________
Rabbi Leonard Cohen
Kehilat Shalom, Calgary
(403) 850-0106
leonardecohen@gmail.com