From the Rabbi's Desk...
 
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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April 2, 2010
Sex and the Song Of Songs
Rabbi Molly Karp returns Saturday night for the final lecture and study session of her year long series on Ketuvim (holy Jewish writings.)
This lecture carries an 18 and over age warning.
Rabbi Karp will be examining Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs), helping to answer the age old question whether this sacred text is a wistful piece of human erotica, or a testament to humankind’s devotion to God.
Those of you who have experienced Rabbi Karp’s teaching style know that you are in for a very special and stimulating evening.
Song of Songs, which some attribute to King Solomon, is traditionally recited on Shabbat morning during Passover. We will be reading excerpts this Shabbat.
Rabbi Karp’s study session begins at 7:30pm.
Super Musical Shabbat
Rabbi Enid Lader will join us next Shabbat, April 8-9, providing some additional flavor to our weekly musical Shabbat mix.
Rabbi Lader plays violin and will be part of our Friday night musical ensemble. We will also be joined by 14-year-old drummer Josh Gruenwald of Manhattan, and his mother, cantorial student Gladys Gruenwald.
It’s shaping up to be a great evening of song, music, and prayer. More details next week.
Yellow Candles
Sunday, April 11 is Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day), and once again CTI’s Men’s Club is providing yellow candles for those wishing to remember those who perished.
Candles are available for pickup from now to Yom HaShoah. This is a meaningful way to remember those in our families who perished during the Holocaust, or for each of us to light a memorial candle for those who have no-one to do so for them.
Additional Notes
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Services for the final two days of Passover will be held Monday and Tuesday beginning at 9:30am. Yizkor will be observed during the Tuesday services.
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Our synagogue’s book club will convene Wednesday at 7:30pm for a discussion on People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.
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CTI’S Knit and Knosh group will meet Monday, April 12, 7:30 pm at the home of Chris Swirnoff.
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This Saturday’s Kiddush is sponsored by Binnie Goldhirsch, who will also be reciting the Maftir.
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Newsday Video
Many of you noticed the photo of our own Cantor Gustavo in Tuesday’s edition of Newsday as he and CTI’s young families prepared to celebrate the first Seder. There’s also a video to go with the photo, which you can see by clicking
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/glen-cove-congregation-celebrates-seder-1.1837587
How We Pray
There are few of us who have not at some time prayed to God in times of trouble, questioned God in times of pain, or negotiated with God during times of uncertainty.
Who can forget one of Judaism’s famous literary characters, Tevye the Milkman, eyes and hands raised, in constant conversation with God.
It’s what makes us unique as a people. Our God is a god we can communicate with, who exists not on some mountain top or in the unreachable heavens, but rather very close to our faces and to our hearts.
The Torah portion we will read from this Saturday gives us some clues about how each of us can approach God.
For indeed, God is not just found in a synagogue, but rather in our homes, at work, during a peaceful walk, or during times of reflection.
We can find God through a meaningful piece of music, or the perfection of an athlete, or the spontaneous words of a child.
We have a model in Moses for this unique type of conversation. As we will read this Shabbat, whenever Moses entered the Tent where the Ten Commandments were housed, a cloud would descend.
And within that meditative tent, God and Moses would speak according to the Torah, “face to face, as one person speaks to another.” It was so simple.
Indeed, in our own lives, it is sometimes difficult to speak with God. The act in some ways appears irrational yet, when trouble arrives at our door, we are quick to summon or question God.
The great Hassidic rabbi, the Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) would venture outside each day, particularly during spring, and find the beauty of life—in the sunlight, in the forest, inhaling the scents of creation. He called the practice Hitbodidut (secluded simple, spontaneous prayer.)
And like many of us who some days have trouble finding God, he would say, “Dear God, I can’t find you today.” And somehow he would be comforted.
This is a time of renewal in Judaism. As the greenery on our Seder plate reminded us, this is a time to celebrate life.
Winter is over. We are still here.
You need not be a Moses or a Rebbe Nachman of Breslov to speak “face to face” with God. We are all cut from the same clothe.
We often spend so much time racing from place to place; texting, e-mailing, and surfing. What a blessing it is on Shabbat, if only for a short time, to find the courage to turn off technology and give ourselves permission to connect with those things that are truly important: our families, our friends, ourselves, and God.
This Shabbat and this weekend we will be surrounded by the blessings of warm sunny weather. Let us embrace these days and enjoy the freedom that Passover celebrates. For whatever our problems and whatever our challenges, this is still a beautiful world.
As the Psalms remind us, “this is a day that God has created. Let us be happy and joyous within it.”
It is interesting to note that last month, a new Jewish movement was born. A group of secular Jews, tired of its own addiction to technology, launched Reboot – “a nonprofit organization aimed at reinventing the traditions and rituals of Judaism for today's secular Jews.”
I wanted to share with you the group’s 10 point “secular” manifesto. I think it’s a wonderful religious blueprint for a perfect Shabbat. Reboot encourages us for one day a week to:
1. Avoid technology.
2. Connect with loved ones.
3. Nurture your health.
4. Get outside.
5. Avoid commerce.
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6. Light candles.
7. Drink wine.
8. Eat bread.
9. Find silence.
10. Give back.
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Moses and Rabbi Nachman would agree. God exists in the basics of living.
There is nothing really magical about it. Each of us has the ability speak with God “face to face, as one person speaks with another.”
It is really so simple, if we just take the time.
Have a wonderful Sabbath, and a happy Passover.
Kol tuv (with all goodness,)
Rabbi Irwin Huberman
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