Perashat Haye Sarah 5779

Perashat Haye Sarah 5779

To my dear congregation,

Nearly a week has passed since the tragic news hit us that an evil and senseless violence destroyed a community and broke the hearts of a Nation. A darkness has descended upon us all. We watched clip after clip, news story after news story, swallowing up any and all details we could get our hands on. Perhaps we were driven by a desperate hope that if we saw enough, read enough, and discussed it enough, we might understand.  

And yet here we are, no closer to our goal, as far as we were from understanding it.

As a people, we have always had an admirable trait, the ability to squeeze a bit of light out of the darkest night. Like the returning moon to which we are compared, someway or somehow, we manage to eke out another round, survive another day, until we are strong enough to pull ourselves together and conquer the next plateau. 

I'd like to highlight some of those tiny points of light, a national outpouring of love.

Did you know Chabad is running a campaign to put up 1,100 mezuzot in memory of the 11 that were murdered? Or that the Pittsburgh Kollel is running an online campaign of learning in memory of those who lost their lives? Light.

Have you heard that Steve Dubinsky doesn't usually wear a Kippa? However, for the next 30 days, he and any that will accept his #KIPPACHALLENGE will walk around proudly wearing it like a crown. In memory of his 11 brothers and sisters, he will walk the streets not with a bowed head but a covered one! Light.

Or that there are students of a local Jewish school going around to all the volunteers and emergency personnel, delivering their heartfelt gratitude for the injured officers in the form of many bagels, donuts, and coffee? Light.

That Jews all around this country will flock to Synagogue this week, even if it's not a High Holiday, family Bar Missva or Shabbat Hattan. It's more of a Shabbat Chazak, a Shabbat of Strength and Solidarity. Light.

The many tiny sparks of light come together to make a warm and bright illuminating flame. So bright is the flame it is enough to light our way, so we can see where we are going and what choices we need to make, not from fear or weakness, but from a place of Clarity and Strength, making us even prouder and more committed Jews.

The Perasha closes by telling us that Yitzhak brought his new bride Ribka home, and the light that once shone in his mother's tent was rekindled by a new, different light. He loved her, and he was comforted from the loss of his mother. He missed Sarah, his mother, deeply, but with the overwhelming love he experienced, he was finally able to find comfort. 

I pray that all those injured in this diabolical attack are granted a full and speedy recovery, and that the families of the fallen experience a modicum of that comfort soon too, in the knowledge and feeling that Am Yisrael mourns with them. May our love fill their aching hearts and may our lights guide their way.

We will have a new, different light in our Synagogue this week, as we celebrate a Bar Missva. Another young man steps forward into the light and shines with the beauty of our resilient traditions and indestructible history. And as we shout Mazal Tob and wish good luck to him and his family, we will shout a bit louder in the hope that those wishes and blessings reach the entire Jewish People the world over.

Please remember, we are asking everyone to come to synagogue this week, even if you never come, to show that we are not afraid and in memory and honor of those who perished in their Synagogue last week. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on Shabbat morning in Synagogue this week! Men, Women, and Children, please make the extra effort. And if there are no seats available, I promise to give up mine!

Shabbat Shalom!
With love,
Rabbi Shlomo Farhi