וַיּוֹצֵ֨א מֹשֶׁ֧ה אֶת־הָעָ֛ם לִקְרַ֥את הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים מִן־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ בְּתַחְתִּ֥ית הָהָֽר׃
Moses led the people out of the camp to meet G-d, and they took their places at the foot of the mountain. (Exodus 20:17)
Dear JCOGS family,
All the Jews stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, ready to receive the Torah. All the Jews, so say the sages — past, present, future. That’s you.
Medieval commentator, Rashi says that at the base of the mountain the words לִקְרַ֥את הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים “to meet G-d” point us towards something important. That is, when two people are approaching one another to meet face-to-face, the Shechinah, G-d’s presence is there, going forth to meet them as well.
All Jews, across the generations, going to receive the Torah, going to meet G-d.
This year, like when we stood at Sinai, all the Jews will gather again. All the Jews of Vermont, that is. We will celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, aka Shavuos, aka the receiving of the Torah holiday, with a state-wide three day celebration, starting next Thursday through Saturday, May 28-30. Here are just a few of the highlights, some online, some outside:
- Thursday night, May 28: blintz making, a night of learning, and dancing, yes, dancing!
- Friday, May 29: Workshops like sourdough bread-making, paper-cutting, art for kids with our own Beth Liberman, story sharing at 5:30pm, and a JCOGS virtual hosted Friday night services at 6pm.
- Saturday: Hallel and Yizkor memorial services in the morning and a live, Saturday night virtual concert with Nefesh Mountain.
- Some meaningful self-guided offerings and activities to get you outside to explore our natural world, Shavuos style.
All the details are right here.
I’ll be there. On Mount Sinai. On Zoom. Outdoors. I hope to see you there too.
Rabbi David
p.s. ZenBarn in Waterbury is offering some delicious blintzes and cheesecakes for this cheesy holiday. Get ready to order from them soon.
|
|
