June 30, 2008
Parshat Chukah: Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
We learn about Miriam and Aaron’s death in this week portion. The council of leadership –the three siblings, Moses and Miriam and Aaron is no more. Miriam’s death is reported first in this week’s portion. The people mourn for her as befits a leader. But soon after her death the people complain about their thirst. They cry out for water. How ironic that soon after the death of Miriam that the people thirst so greatly! Miriam has long been associated by the rabbis with water. First her name comes from the word for bitter waters. It was Miriam who arranged to have baby Moses floating in the Nile discovered by Pharoah’s daughter. It was Miriam who celebrated so freely leading the people in song and dance after the crossing of the Yam Suf-the Sea of Reeds.
Continue reading "Parshat Chukah: Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"June 24, 2008
Parshat Korach: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 By: Denise L. Eger
This is a week of great rebellion and challenge of the leadership and authority of Moses and Aaron. For several weeks now as the story of the Children of Israel in the desert has unfolded, there has been unrest, mutterings, and strife among the people. They have complained about everything. The food isn’t good enough. They long for some romanticized version of their lives in Egypt that was never real. Now on the edge of the Promised Land their fear and lack of faith has kept them from entering and the generation that left Egypt will end their lives in the desert without crossing over. There is turmoil in the encampment. Moses and Aaron even had to intercede with God on behalf of the people for God is impatient as well with the Israelites lack of faith and their constant complaints.
Continue reading "Parshat Korach: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 By: Denise L. Eger"June 18, 2008
Parshat Shelach-Lecha; Numbers 13:1-15:41 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
This week has been a week of rejoicing, justice, celebration and history as same sex couples began to marry legally here in California. I have had the privilege of officiating at many weddings as a rabbi. It is part of the “work” of a rabbi to be a mesaderet kiddushin, an officiant of the sacred rite of marriage. It is a joy to stand with every couple under the chupah, the wedding canopy; to help them through our sessions of preparation not only for their wedding day but for their married life together. It is wondrous to see their faces and hearts glow as they exchange rings and vows. It is beautiful to see the families and friends many who travel so far to be with the happy couple share in that wonder, awe, hope and joy for all newlyweds.
Continue reading "Parshat Shelach-Lecha; Numbers 13:1-15:41 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"June 11, 2008
Parshat Behalotecha; Numbers 8:1 -12:16
In our weekly portion of the Torah, Behalotecha, in the book of Numbers, the nature of leadership and authority runs through it as a theme. The burdens of leadership upon Moses continue to weigh down upon him. Previously, his father-in-law, Jethro had mentored Moses to share responsibilities with the elders of Israel. Jethro taught Moses to appoint leaders to share in the judging needed by the people. But Moses still needs to share more of the duties because the constant pull of the people begins to eat away at his own relationship with the Divine. So much so that Moses’ himself complains to God much like the people who complain at every turn. “The people took to complaining bitterly before Adonai (Numbers 11:1).
Continue reading "Parshat Behalotecha; Numbers 8:1 -12:16"June 02, 2008
Parshat Naso; Numbers 4:21 -7:89 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
Parshat Naso includes the dedication of the Tabernacle and the many offerings brought by the various chieftains representing their tribes. In a great show of equality and democracy each tribal chief brought exactly the same offering to the Tabernacle and to God. No tribe was better than the other. But each tribe had its specialized duty in relationship to the Tabernacle. As delineated in last week’s portion, each tribe not only gathered and encamped around the Tabernacle in a specific location but each tribe had specific duties in the setting up and tearing down and transportation of the Tabernacle as the Israelites made their way in the desert.
Continue reading "Parshat Naso; Numbers 4:21 -7:89 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger"