D’VAR TORAH
Parashat Ekev
Sometimes a great dish of ice cream or the best dark chocolate can be a great source of comfort. A good kiddush works that way, too. This Shabbat I am looking forward to sharing in both the bagels and the fellowship that will bring us together, as well as the song. We are welcoming a musical quartet that is leading services, presenting a sermon in song with me, and bringing beautiful harmonies to our Kiddush Engagement celebration.
Sometimes song is the magic that soothes the soul and inspires the heart. Singing together at services and being led by wonderful a cappella singers will for sure be a source of great comfort for us all. They will raise the level of the simcha for the celebration of Yael’s and Paul’s engagement on this Shabbat Nachamu (be comforted), the Sabbath of Comfort so named because of the first word in the haftarah, the blessing of Isaiah, our Prophet, to be comforted because God is on our side.
Sometimes a ray of light banishes so much darkness. Knowing we will see the lights in each other’s eyes for Shabbat provides hope. With the terrible news about the stabbing on the West Side and ongoing insidious hate being broadcast from City officials, our togetherness and strength is what brightens the path ahead.
Sometimes our sacred texts are the source of comfort I need. The truth is that I started to find comfort already on Tisha B’Av evening this year. This is counterintuitive, because the Megillah we chant talks about the destruction of our Temple, the exile of our people, and the gruesome reality of invaders and sieges. But in the poetry of chapter three of the scroll I found an expression of hope. The literature of self-blame and sin-punishment theology already made evident to me a response; taking personal responsibility for our situations leads to a better future. The singular language of the central acrostic poetry of Eikha allows us, as worshippers, members of the Jewish People, to find strength in the face of the darkest demonic forces aligned against us. The chanting of the scroll by congregants gave me hope. While we commemorated the Temple’s destruction, we also spoke of a rebuilt Zion and renewed commitment to fixing what is broken in our City.
Please read my article, “From Wood to Stone to the Aleph-Tav of Rebuilt Jews and Zion” to follow me on that pathway beyond Tisha B’Av, to this Shabbat of Comfort and beyond.
To view or download the PDF of Rabbi Bolton’s article click HERE.
Shabbat Shalom, Wishes for True Comfort – Nachamu,
Rabbi Bolton
