Community

Torah Portion

The Recounting Of Plagues
And The Celebration Of Freedom

oneself, to step up, to speak out, to
mark oneself as oppressed and ready
to break the bonds of oppression. If
we cherish our heritage, no suffering
or tribulation can crush out spirit.
By recognizing who we are, we
acknowledge our distinctive way of
life and our unique existence as
his week's Torah portion
Jews.
recounts the last of the
This is the challenge our ances-
plagues. In the midst of
tors
leave for us. We may no longer
these narratives are the
be
literal
slaves, but the world is
preparations to leave Egypt and sets
still
far
from
redeemed and we must
of instruction for the observance of
constantly inquire what steps must
Passover.
be taken on the journey
The series of plagues
toward personal liberation.
were to establish for all
Today, we have many
time the theme of God's
personal plagues and
omnipotence and the folly
warnings that are intended
of defying God's will. These
to frighten us into action
plagues become parr of the
or reaction: diabetes, can-
collective memory of the
cer, diet, heart disease, for
people of Israel and a per-
example.
manent part of the folk sto-
If we find ourselves
ries transmitted from gen-
beyond a turning point
eration to generation.
when something curative
God says, "This day
SY MAN ELLO
can be done, spiritual
shall be for you a memorial
Edit orial
actions can provide corn-
throughout the genera-
Assis tant
fort and relief. An always
tions." Later, the Torah
present option is to invite
prescribes, "It shall be for
God to make that change
you a sign on your hand
within
us.
We can preserve God's
and a reminder between your eyes
instruction
and God's presence by
in order that the Lord's instruction
everyday acts of study, of medita-
be in your mouth."
tion, of assistance — all of which
These are the specific instructions
preserve
the lessons of the great
we must remember to teach: that
event
of
our
liberation.
there is only one God; that freedom
When the pharaoh tells Moses
is difficult to achieve but is worth
that the Children of Israel are to go,
the struggle; that we must respect
he tells them, "Go serve God." This
the stranger and the disadvantaged
reminder is present today: We need
for we were once in that condition;
to listen, to study, to learn what
that the Exodus was forged by a
questions to ask and to find mean-
people whose identity is based on
ing in God's commandments.
emulation of the justness and corn-
We hold a seder to make sure we
passion of God while living fully in
remember the slavery and the
the world.
redemption and it is one assurance
The observance of the seven days
that we can interrupt our lives on
of unleavened bread is described as
occasion to reflect on freedom and
a connection to God, a symbol of
all the other blessings we enjoy. We
our redemption from slavery. In
acknowledge the spirit of God that
Jewish memory, we are instructed to
surrounds us and try to be worthy
remember that our birth story is a
of it.
story of liberation. Moses tells the

CONGREGATION SHAAR HASHOMAYIM
Presents

"To Grow As A kV

Shabbat Bo: Exodus
10:1-13:16; Jeremiah
46:13-28.

T

people as soon as they have left
Egypt: "Remember this day when
you went out of Mitzrayim from the
house of slaves, for with a strong
arm God brought you out of this
place." (Exodus 13:3).
This was a turning point; our lib-
eration became real. But what do we
learn about liberation? What did it
mean to be free people? The first
step was to mark themselves. This
essential first step to liberation
today is a willingness to identify

Conversations

In what ways do we harden our
hearts toward others and how
can we overcome this? In what
ways are we slaves today (think
habits and thinking in stereo-
types)? What steps can we take
to free ourselves from such
enslavements"?

A SHABBATON WEEKEND FEATURING...

RABBI EPHRAIM BUCHWALD

Founder of...
NATIONAL JEWISH OUTREACH

Founding President of...
ASSOCIATION FOR JEWISH OUTREACH PROFESSIONALS

Friday, February 16 - Saturday, February 17, 2001
Congregation Shaar Hashomayim
115 Giles E., Windsor, Ontario
Program Begins Friday at 5:50 p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER & SHABBOS LUNCH
TOTAL COST FOR DINNER & LUNCH:
$36.00 per family (Canadian) or $25.00 per family (US)
$18.00 Single (Canadian) or $12.50 U.S.

Hotel Accommodations Available
For more information please call: (519) 256-3123

Southeast Michigan Coalition on the
Environment and Jewish Life

Celebrate the New Year of the Trees
with SEMCOEJL's annual

Tu B'Shvat Seder

Sunday, February 11 at 4:00 p.m.

Adat Shalom Synagogue

29901 Middlebelt Rd.

For more information, contact Val Meyerson

248/642-5393 or meyerson@jfmd.org

SEMCOEJL strives to integrate environmental and Jewish ideals
by providing a forum for Jews to explore and deepen their commitment
to environmental protection and their Jewish identity.

Co-Sponsored by: Adat Shalom Synagogue, Hillel of Metro Detroit,
Jewish Community Center of Metro Detroit. Jewish Vegetarians of North
America, Young Adult Division, Young Adult Shabbat Services.

"

2/2
2001

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