Community Torah Corner, May 3, 2024

Tomorrow, on Shabbat morning, we will be reading from Parashat Acharei Mot, the same Torah portion we read on Yom Kippur. It begins with the description of the First Azal ceremony, a ritual where the Kohen Hagadol would enter the Kodesh HaKodashim, burn the daily kitorets, and utter the name of Hashem while confessing on behalf of the whole nation of Israel. Aaron then cast lots over two goats; one would be sacrificed on the altar while the other would be released into the wilderness in further repentance before Hashem. 

 

Acharei Mot then proceeds to prevent further mishaps in the mishkan by insisting on the location of korbonot, forbidding the consumption of blood (one of the Noachide laws) and warning against forbidden and deviant sexual relations. 

 

Acharei Mot is typically a double parsha and is combined with parashat Kedoshim, but in leap years like this year the two are separated. This presents an interesting question as to which Haftarah we read Shabbat morning, and there are a handful of regional variations. Some communities will leyin from Sefer Yehezkel while others from Sefer Amos. I’d like to discuss one of the Haftarot that comes from Amos, chapter nine. The text warns against the ensuing exile and punishments for the Jews in punishment for disregarding the Torah’s laws. Amos warns that the people would be scattered into exile and foreshadows the internment experienced by the Jews of Bavel. However, one day, the House of Israel will mend their relationship with Hashem and He promises to “return the captivity of…Israel, and they shall rebuild desolate cities and inhabit [them], and they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their produce. And [the divine] will plant them on their land, and they shall no longer be uprooted from upon their land, that Hashem gave them," (Amos 9:14-15, Chabad Translation).

 

Over the Pesach break, we marked the 200th day since the October 7th attacks and, more importantly, 200 days of American and Israeli hostages being held against their will by the savage Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza. 

 

The last two pesukim of the haftorah give us hope that one day this conflict will come to an end. We pray that they will soon be released and bring their families closure to this painful period of separation. Until then, we remind ourselves to be strong and find strength in each other and that the nation of Israel lives. 

 

We must seek a solution of peace and communication, not one of unnecessary violence. Hopefully the world can learn from the current conflict and prevent future skirmishes. We pray that one day Yeshayahu’s vision will be fulfilled. 

 

Lo yisa goy el cherev lo yil'medu od milchamah.

Nation shall not lift sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 

 

Perhaps even one day, after a conflict resolution we can see Jews living peacefully among our Arab brothers and sisters, fulfilling the words of this week's haftorah--planting vineyards and gardens for all to enjoy in peace.

 

ֵעם ישראל חי and Shabbat Shalom.