Spirituality

TORAH PORTION

We're Counted On
To Help Each Other

Shabbat Ki Tisa: Exodus 30:11-34:35;
Ezekiel 36:16-38.

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36

March 4 • 2010

eginning April
symbolic gift than any-
1, everyone liv-
thing else.
ing in the United
Clearly what was impor-
States will be asked to
tant was that everyone
participate in the 2010
could participate. The
National Census. We will
rich were prohibited from
be asked only 10 ques-
giving more than the half-
tions which the creators
shekel and the poor could
of the census hope will
not give less. In our own
give them the necessary
community, there are so
data to better understand
many people in need. Our
Rabbi S.
the needs of our country.
synagogues and commu-
Robert
Morals
A census is not a new
nal social service agencies
Special to the
concept — we have been
are being asked to provide
Jewish News
doing them in the United
support in unprecedented
sates for more than 200
ways. The amazing real-
years. However, it was thousands of
ity is that so many people are also
years ago while we Jews wandered
stepping forward to offer help and
the Sinai Desert that God instructed support.
us to take our first Census.
The strength of the ancient
Israelite community was their
ability to come together and care
for each other. This remains our
strength. The strength of our Detroit
Jewish community is to have each
and every one of us stand up and be
counted.
As we participate in this year's
U.S. National Census, we reflect
on that ancient desert census that
brought us together as a Jewish
community.
And we hope and pray that God
gives us the guidance and strength
to work together so that we can not
only better understand the needs of
our community but be better pre-
pared to meet those needs.
This week's parshah, Ki Tisa,
begins with God instructing the
Rabbi S. Robert Morais is the director of
Israelites to take a census of the
education and lifelong learning at Temple
people of Israel. The obvious ques-
Israel in West Bloomfield.
tion is, "Why?"
Perhaps it was to see how many
people were in the community.
Perhaps it was a process by which
the Israelites could feel a deeper
Conversations
connection to their community. The
What are some of the ways you
census was a way that all Israelites,
can "stand up and be counted"
regardless of their station in life,
– ways that you can help your
could literally stand up and be
community? How can you
counted. All they needed was a tiny
contribute your "half-shekel."
half-shekel, even then, more of a