Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

 
You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly. (Exodus 27:)

This week's Torah portion begins with the instruction to bring "clean oil of beaten olives." Many commentaries pick up on the phrase "beaten olives" as opposed to  "pressed." Inso doing they draw an analogy to the Jewish people who are regularly beaten down.  There is no question that this past 16 months have beaten us down.  We have felt abandoned by the world as we wait for our hostages, dead or alive to be returned.  We have been beaten down by the rise in antisemitism here in America.  Yet, we continue to hold out hope for a better future.  

In so doing we have become an inspiration to others who have felt beaten down.
I speak now specifically to our friends in Ukrainian.  We stand with you.  Your humiliation is our humiliation.  Your pain is our pain.  We pray for your bright future. 
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