When Manette and I married, my life changed dramatically for the better. I was blessed with the best woman in the world. I also inherited a car, some furniture and household goods. Manette got me and student loans.
For years, we and our children have shared many items including a favorite old quilt. Warm and luxurious, we have snuggled individually and in groups under this quilt for so many years that it has now lost some of its shape and become a bit lumpy. But, it is among the most comforting things we own. The rumples and the wrinkles and the inconsistent filling and batting tell a story of time. The years, now a generation, are part of this very special quilt. It holds us together and when we do not feel well, it comforts us. The fabric which dates back perhaps 40 years bears a special feel because of the many years during which it has held our hands, snuggled our toes, kept us warm and helped us to recuperate from a cold or flu.
In tomorrow's Torah reading we learn of one of the oldest heirlooms ever transmitted from one millennium to another. Tying special strings and tassels on the corner of our garments originates in this week's Torah reading. Known to many Jews as Tallis or prayer shawl, the word Tallis means ‘garment’ and holds special tassels on its corners. Originally, it had nothing to do with prayer; it had everything to do with memory.
“ Look at these strings in order that you remember that you are not like everyone else but you are part of a specific family dedicated to sacred purpose- to not allow your eyes to drift away from the path which you are supposed to follow. Do not allow your heart to entice you to do wrong. Remember that I am God who freed you from Egypt in order that you would never act like a slave again. Do not demean yourself by being a slave to your desires. Do not succumb to your lustful urges, exercise choice and be a free person, accepting responsibility for every decision you make.
And I am God charging you to make all the right choices every single day.” (My interpretation of Numbers chapter 15).
About 1,500 years ago when people no longer wore cloaks or tunics because clothing styles had changed, Jewish people invented an artificial rectangular garment (Tallit=garment) and attached the special tassels thereupon. Presto-chango-Tallit came to be. So now when I place a Tallis on my shoulders I am remembering the original expectation of God for my behavior which is 3,000 years old and I am also remembering the Jews who came before me who no longer wore a Tallis as a daily cloak. They went to extremes by creating a garment to which they could attach the tassels, under which they could snuggle and feel the warmth of God’s magnificent embrace. And as I place the tallit upon my shoulders, looking upon the strings which we call tzitzit I take comfort in the weight of generations upon my shoulders.
You, too, are invited to feel the weight of 100 generations upon your shoulders. Come to shul and borrow a tallis from our tallit rack or better yet, acquire your own. If you already have one, pull your Tallit out of mothballs and say the Shema at home-no requirement to come to shul. Cover your eyes and remind yourself that you are free and, consequently, deserving of exceptional and sacred behavior. Hold Tzitzit in your fingers and remember that no other people on the planet are thusly privileged. May we all sense the ties that bind us together.
Shabbat shalom.
Rabbi Steve Silberman
***Book Signing and Reception for Jon Mitchell, (Grandson of Arlene Mitchell) The event will take place on Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 PM at the synagogue. He is a new author and has written the book “In Real Life: Searching For Connection in High-Tech Times”. Please RSVP to Shul Office 343-6010 or email Robin at office. (robin@ahavaschesed)
***Guitar Shabbat with Yehuda on the Bima-Next week-June 19 at 6:00 P.M. Come sing along with Yehuda! Oneg to follow!
***Check us out on Face book!! (Ahavas Chesed Synagogue)***
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