CANTOR’S CORNER

Cantor Eyal Bitton shares a few thoughts on prayer and the parasha of the week.

2023-04-15: Parashat Shemini

On Friday evening, around the Shabbat table and in services, we often start by singing “Shalom Aleichem.” This prayer is a greeting to the angels of peace and emphasizes the importance of peace and unity within the Jewish community. It reminds us that we are all part of a larger family, and that we have a responsibility to care for one another and work towards peace and harmony.

In this week’s parasha, Parashat Shemini, Moses and Aaron came together to lead the Israelites through a moment of crisis, which led to unity and healing for the community.

The current political crisis in Israel highlights the importance of unity in times of crisis. With a recent election that has resulted in a deeply divided government, it is more important than ever for Israelis to come together and work towards a common goal. Just like in the time of Moses and Aaron, the people of Israel need their leaders to bring them together and offer solutions that benefit everyone.

As I write this, the murders of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee, who were murdered in cold blood by a Palestinian terrorist during this Pesach holiday brings me heartbreak and outrage. I am appalled at the number of people who defend or excuse the murder. These people believe that Jews have no heritage in our ancestral homeland and that the murder of any and every single Jew who lives in that land is justified. We Jews must be united in the rejection of this position, in the rejection of the wanton murder of Jews – wherever they may be.

In the current political climate in America, we have witnessed a great deal of polarization and division over the last few years. It is generally easier to affirm and defend one’s position than to reach out and find common ground. As we can see from Parashat Shemini, holding firm to one’s position without hearing the voice of the other is not a sustainable approach to dealing with a crisis. We need to come together, regardless of our political differences, and work towards solutions that benefit everyone.

In both America and Israel, it would benefit everyone to recognize our differences but also focus on what unites us. We need to remember that we are all part of the same community, and that our shared values and beliefs can help us to overcome even the most difficult obstacles. Our societies need their leaders to be willing to reach across the aisle and work towards solutions that benefit everyone, not just their own political party or interest group.

Parashat Shemini teaches us to come together as a community in times of crisis. Let us remember that our power lies not just in our leaders, but in the power of unity among the people.

At the start, I mentioned the prayer, “Shalom Aleichem”. Another prayer, “Aleinu”, emphasizes the unity of all humanity in the worship of God. It acknowledges that despite our differences, we are all part of the same creation and all have a responsibility to work towards a better world.

We are all part of a larger community. “Shalom Aleichem” and “Aleinu” remind us of our responsibility to work towards a better world and to care for one another, even in times of crisis. By reciting these prayers, we are reaffirming our commitment to these values and expressing our hope for a brighter future for all.