Today is the 48th day of the counting of the Omer, the special time that falls each year between Passover and Shavuot. Each day we are called closer and closer to Torah which, according to tradition, was given to the Jewish people on Shavuot, seven weeks after Passover, on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan.
What inspires me most about this time of the year is how Torah points us towards a life of meaning and purpose. Through clever word play, the rabbis teach us that the true meaning of the freedom we experienced when we were delivered from Egyptian bondage is a life of service. The text (Exodus 32:16) says that the Ten Commandments were “engraved” (חָרוּת—charut) on the tablets. The rabbis of the Talmud (Eiruvin 54a) teach: “Don’t read it as ‘engraved’ (חָרוּת—charut) but rather as ‘freedom’ (חֵירוּת—cheirut).” The lesson? Freedom isn’t about doing whatever you like, whatever feels good. Rather, true freedom is a life of mitzvot, a life of service, a life of ma’asim tovim (good deeds). True freedom is answering the call to be God’s partner in the work of repairing the world.
We do this work best with others—as part of a community. So join us tomorrow night at 6:15 p.m. on our campus as we celebrate Shavuot with Pastor Michael Fisher and members of the Greater Zion Church Family (including their choir). We will reflect together on how our traditions call us to service and how that sacred work might result in a kinder, safer, more loving world for our families, our communities, our nation, Israel, and all humanity.
Shabbat shalom and Chag Shavuot Sameach,
Rabbi Yoshi
