D'var Torah - March 12, 2010
D'var Torah - "Building the Temple" March 12, 2010
Rabbi Mark S. Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL
It’s interesting that just when you need it, the Torah seems to come through. OK, sometimes you have to dig deeper. But this week, Shabbat HaChodesh, The Month – Nisan – Passover falls - our foundational holiday of the year.
Think about it: the holiday rises to the very top of our liturgy (prayers), our communal memory, and family practice! Who doesn’t celebrate Passover!? Who doesn’t cherish memories of growing up and having a Seder with family and friends – some for decades with the same people. The food, the fragrances, the appetites, and the schpielkes (ants in the pants) about getting through it and getting to dinner already!
This week’s portion addresses communal responsibility. What are we supposed to do to support our religious community. It also portends our own experience at Beth Or, especially now. Today, as we prepare to create a positive future, a serious look ahead to make our community stable and sustainable, the Torah speaks as if directly to us:
Rashi comments: Since his heart moved him to generosity, he is called “generous-hearted” (נְדִיב לֵב).
EVERY PERSON was to participate in building the Mishkan, the portable temple the Israelites carried through the wilderness during their trek for 40 years that housed the Ten Commandments, according to tradition, that were received on Mt. Sinai.
As a matter of fact, as Beth Or looks toward a bright future, each of us will need to look at our community, and become nedeev leebo – generous-hearted so to enable our community to grow, to expand (only to maximum of 150-200 families), and to enhance our educational, programmatic, cultural and legacy for the future. Beth Or will be around for a long, long time. And you who have been associated with this special community understand how much it means to you.
We have work to do. To build a stronger presence in Miami. To become a “light” to our nation (our own community within the larger community). And to continue to be a close and vibrant learning, celebrating and caring community which is supportive and compassionate to each other as we move proudly into the 21st century.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mark S. Kram