CANTOR’S CORNER

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

2023-05-13 Parashat Behar-Bechukotai

One beloved text in the Saturday morning liturgy is “L’dor Vador,” which means “from generation to generation.” This prayer emphasizes the idea of continuity and passing down traditions and values to future generations. It also highlights the importance of each individual’s role in contributing to the ongoing growth and strength of the Jewish community.

In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Behar-Bechukotai, we are reminded of the impact our individual actions can have on the community. Leviticus 26:3-6 highlights the blessings that come from adhering to God’s commandments, such as fruitful crops and security, while Leviticus 26:14-16 warns of the curses that follow turning away from these laws. These verses teach us that our actions have consequences beyond ourselves, and it is our responsibility as individuals to contribute to the greater good of the community.

This idea is echoed in yet another prayer that we recite during the Shabbat morning service, the “Shema” prayer. We say, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” This prayer reminds us of the unity of the community and the importance of our individual roles in contributing to that unity. In Judaism, the roadmap for unity, for ensuring the well-being of the community, is the mitzvot, the commandments. 

In a world that often emphasizes individualism, it is easy to forget our responsibilities to the community. We must remember that we are all interconnected and that our individual actions can either contribute to the flourishing or the suffering of the community.

The Jewish community has faced its own challenges in recent years, such as a growing disengagement in synagogue and external antisemitic threats. As individuals, we must take responsibility for our role in the community and contribute to its growth and flourishing. 

And so, let us strive to cultivate a sense of responsibility towards our communities, and recognize that our individual actions can have a profound impact on those around us. Let us use the words of our t’fillah, such the “L’dor Vador” and the “Shema”, to guide us towards building stronger and more cohesive communities, both within our own Jewish communities and in the world around us.