Dear Or Zarua,
Moses called to all the elders and leaders of the tribes, as well as those appointed with the tasks of being teachers and the community patrol. The Torah then adds these words intentionally, “…the women, the children, those on in years…from your wood-choppers to your water carriers.”
The midrash says that each and every Jewish soul received Torah at Sinai according to his or her strength. There is a mitzvah connected to each and every heart, and we must all be together in a great gathering to sort out which parts of Jewish tradition are really ours to make, to keep, to guard and to find inspiration with.
Below, I hope you’ll use the recordings of some of the anchor prayers of our High Holy Day Services to learn the tunes or remind us how to enjoin our voices in song. By singing and praying together, gathering and creating community, each of us discovers more meaning in the Jewish traditions we embrace.
See you for Shabbat and then for Rosh HaShana!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bolton