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Upholding A
Relationship

Parshat Lech Lecha: Genesis
12:1-17:27; Isaiah 40:27-41:16.

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50 Years of Unlocking Potential

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ovenant. This is a concept
that has slipped from our ver-
nacular. We rarely talk about
covenants.
Property deeds sometimes contain
covenants, which are incidental clauses
in such an agreement. The ketubah is a
covenant between beloveds committed
in marriage. The rainbow is a sign of the
covenant from God after the flood. Brit
milah, the covenant of circumcision, is
the sign from us of our commitment to
God.
A thesaurus offers these
as synonyms of covenant:
agreement, contract, treaty,
promise, pledge, bond, pact,
convention. The dictionary
definition is: "an agreement
between two or more parties
to do or not do something
specified; usually formal, sol-
emn and binding:'
In this week's Torah por-
tion, Abraham takes on the
covenant of circumcision, a
sign of the covenant that God will be our
God; and we will be God's people.
What does that covenantal relation-
ship mean? This is a question asked
repeatedly over the millennia and
answered in a myriad ways. Typically,
fulfilling the mitzvot, commandments, is
the traditional answer as to how we Jews
fulfill our end of the covenant.
When a newly scribed Torah scroll
is consecrated, it is carried into the
synagogue sanctuary under a chuppah
(wedding canopy). The ceremony is like
a wedding between us and God. Since
the word "Torah' has many layers of
expanded meaning and can include wis-
dom gleaned over the millennia to the
present day, a ketubah covenant for such
an occasion might read: "We promise

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to consecrate ourselves individually and
communally to Torah, just as our ances-
tors consecrated themselves when they
stood at Sinai."
We promise to act in such a way as to
make the words of Torah sweet, by lov-
ing, honoring and cherishing each other
and the works of God's creation.
We promise to work together to make
a congregational home thatwill be faith-
ful to the ever-expanding teachings of
Torah and our people Israel; by being
filled with reverence for
learning and spiritual fulfill-
ment, warmed by loving gen-
erosity, sanctified by music,
candles and wine, striving to
merit the presence of God by
being friendly and inclusive,
valuing diversity, by creating
a place where all can seek
God and strengthen spiritual,
social, educational and cul-
tural aspects of Jewish life, by
being committed to deeds of
lovingkindness and tikkun
olam, by promising to bring up our chil-
dren within the Covenant of Israel and
pledging to be guided by the teachings of
Torah, embracing our heritage, provid-
ing continuity and encouraging the evo-
lution of Judaism into the future.
It is a humbling feeling to be in cov-
enant with God. May we be inspired to
keep our promises.

Akiva Hebrew Day School
invites all parents
to the

High School
Informational
Evening

Thursday, November 13, 2014
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
At the home of
Ariella and Mikey Skoczylas
22555 Shevington Drive
Southfield, MI 48034

You will hear from Rabbi Noam Stein,
Akiva's new High School Principal
and Kathy Sklar, Assistant Principal
of the High School.You will also have a
chance to interact with a student panel
who will answer your questions about
academics and student life.

❑

Arnie Sleutelberg is a rabbi at

Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy.

Conversations:

• How do we feel when in
Covenant with God?
• What are our promises to God?
• What are God's promises to us?

Refreshments will be served.
To R.S.V.P. contact Arleen Platt
at 248-386-1625 ext. 236,
or arleen.platt@akiva.org

The Jewishrep raeicobry i

OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT

1955710

October 30 • 2014

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