“And he shall place lots upon the two goats, one marked for יהוה and the other marked for Azazel.” (Leviticus 16:8)
This is the source of the "scapegoat." This quote is origin of placing all of our sins on the head of a goat and sending it out to die and it is cruel. However, it isn't all scapegoating?
Life is hard enough without blaming others for our own problems. Few in our society take responsibility for their own mistakes. We rush to point fingers at others and then spread those accusations far and wide on the internet. Conspiracy theories abound and take hold because of the echo chamber in which we have chosen to live.
The brutality of this ritual ought to awaken in us the injustice in the world and the contribution we are making.
Shavuot: The Holiday of Receiving the Torah will be observed Tuesday evening June 11 and Wednesday June 12 (Yizkor). Our congregation’s custom is to gather on Tuesday evening June 11 and learn from each other. This year that observance will take place at 9:00pm.The theme will be Healing/Resilience: What helps us get through hard times?If you would like to share a text, please let me know.
Greenburgh Hebrew Center rabbistein@ghcny.org 515 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-4260 office@ghcny.org www.ghcny.org
