48 | MAY 12 • 2022 

SPIRIT

The Blessings of 
Synagogue Life
M

y grandfather, Harry 
Starr of blessed 
memory, was a shul 
guy: He attended minyan every 
day, even volunteering to make 
breakfast most mornings for the 
attendees. Especially as 
he aged, going to the 
synagogue gave shape 
to his day, rhythm to 
his week and purpose 
to his years. 
My father, Jim Starr, 
has carried on his 
father’s legacy; he, too, 
is a shul guy. Among 
my warmest memo-
ries of my father are 
ones in the synagogue 
and at our home, cel-
ebrating Jewish life. 
Today, thank God, I sit 
next to my father for weekday 
minyan; and, on Shabbat and 
holidays, my children sit weekly 
with their grandparents: both 
my father, Jim, and my mother, 
Margie.
Indeed, participating in 
Jewish life in general and syna-
gogue life are gifts that we give 
to our children and grandchil-
dren that provide stability and 
meaning in an ever-changing 
world. 
In our Torah portion this 
week, we read again of the 
Jewish calendar: the cycle of the 
seasons that helps to give form 
to the unyielding march of time. 
Additionally, we read of God 
speaking to the People Israel, 
“You shall not profane My holy 
name, that I may be sanctified 
in the midst of the Israelite 
People” (Leviticus 22:32). For 
our rabbis of old, this mitzvah 
gives justification for selective 
martyrdom, and it helps to 
establish the notion of minyan: 
that certain prayers, including 

the Kaddish, may be said only 
in the midst of 10 Jewish adults.
Are we cynical about our 
faith or lax in our observance? 
Are we lacking in our learning 
or lazy about our efforts in car-
ing for others? If so, then 
indeed we are in some ways 
desecrating God’s name 
because we Jews are God’s 
representatives on Earth.
However, if we celebrate 
our Judaism and honor our 
fellow Jews, we are sanctify-
ing God’s name in the midst 
of our own. If we immerse 
ourselves in continuing edu-
cation, in uplifting prayer 
and in the performance 
of acts of lovingkindness, 
then we are adding to the 
holiness of God, and we are 
filling our lives with meaning 
and with purpose. 
Worship rates and affiliation 
with religious institutions are 
on the decline in America. 
There is no doubt in my mind 
that a causal connection exists 
between the decline of faith 
communities and the increas-
ing toxicity in our country. But 
we Jews do not need to be like 
everyone else. Our job is not 
only to avoid profaning God’s 
name as the chosen people, but 
to sanctify God in this world 
among non-Jews and among 
our fellow Jews alike.
Participating in Jewish life in 
general and synagogue life in 
particular are gifts that we give 
to ourselves, our children and 
our grandchildren. In so doing, 
we give shape to our days, 
rhythm to our week and, in 
so many ways, purpose to our 
years. 

Rabbi Aaron Starr is spiritual leader 

of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in 

Southfield.

TORAH PORTION

Rabbi Aaron 
Starr

Parshat 

Emor: 

Leviticus 

21:1-24:23; 

Ezekiel 

44:15-31.

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