How is this Relevant Today, Rabbi?: Sermon for Ki Teitsei 9-14-24
Last week, I had the privilege of celebrating our son Jacob’s bar mitzvah at our old synagogue in Riverdale. In addition to what it meant for our family personally, even the people who didn’t know us well were clearly enthusiastic. There was a feeling of palpable relief. It allowed us to pause from the devastating news of murdered hostages and ongoing conflict, and to take refuge in community. When my son spoke about his parsha, he spoke about judges and how they need to be careful about accepting gifts, something that has been in the news. He found a message in the Torah that is as relevant today as it has ever been. Jacob was following in the footsteps of his ancestors for generations before him, who read the Torah weekly, seeking inspiration and guidance from God. And today, when we come to synagogue for tefillah (prayer) and Torah reading, we seek that same inspiration. Although those of us gathered here may have different understandi...