CANTOR’S CORNER

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

2023-05-20 Parashat BeMidbar

“Barechu” is one of the most familiar texts in synagogue ritual. Before reading from the Torah, we begin with the word “Barechu” as we recite special blessings that express our reverence for this sacred text and our responsibility to study and learn from it. The Levites had the responsibility of carrying and protecting the holy objects of the Tabernacle through the wilderness, as we see in this week’s parasha, B’midbar. 

The Levites were a special group of people who were entrusted with a sacred duty, and they took that duty seriously. They embraced it with dedication and a sense of purpose.

As we reflect on the Levites’ example, we might ask ourselves: what are our “holy objects” today? What are the things that we have been entrusted with protecting and nurturing? For some of us, it might be our relationships with loved ones or our commitment to our communities. For others, it might be our work, our passions, or our values. Whatever it is, we all have something that we hold sacred and that we have a responsibility to honor and protect.

One lesson we can learn from the Levites is the importance of taking our responsibilities seriously. Too often, we take our obligations for granted or see them as burdens to be endured rather than opportunities to be embraced. But when we approach our responsibilities with a sense of purpose and dedication, they can become a source of meaning and fulfillment in our lives.

Another lesson we can learn from the Levites is the importance of working together. The Levites didn’t carry the Tabernacle alone; they worked together as a team to protect and transport the sacred objects. We too can benefit from working collaboratively with others, recognizing that we all have different strengths and weaknesses that can complement each other.

Finally, we can learn from the Levites the importance of humility. Despite their important role, the Levites didn’t see themselves as superior or more important than anyone else. They recognized that their duty was a privilege, and they approached it with a sense of humility and reverence. When we approach our own responsibilities with humility, we open ourselves up to learning and growth, and we become better able to serve others.

As we recite the Torah blessings and reflect on the example of the Levites, let us honor our responsibilities and obligations, whatever they may be, with dedication, collaboration, and humility. May we embrace our duties as opportunities to serve and to grow, and may we work together to protect and nurture the things that are sacred to us.