Read & Listen

Developed and directed by Carol Fox Prescott. Presented at Friday evening services, May 13, 2022

... human history is not a continuous march of progress. While we have advanced in certain understandings of what is good and just, we have regressed in others, and none more so than in our relationship with the earth. Here, the agrarian culture of the Torah has critical lessons to teach us, ancient wisdom that must be reclaimed.

Torah serves not as the last word, but as the foundation of Judaism’s legal and ethical tradition. This tradition took shape some 3,000 years ago and has evolved continually since that time.

This week’s Torah portion is named Kedoshim, derived from the opening instruction of the parashah קְדשִׁים תִּֽהְיוּ kedoshim tih’yu — “You shall be holy” (Leviticus 19:2). The verses that follow describe the ethical and interpersonal behavior necessary to achieve this quality of holiness.

In commemoration of Yom Ha'Shoah, Rabbi Jonathan devoted his weekly class to this 20th Century Hasidic master who taught and wrote from the Warsaw ghetto before being shot to death by the Nazis.

Annual gathering, organized by the Ulster County Jewish Federation, hosted by Rabbi Jonathan. Guest speakers: Lola Mozes, 1st generation survivor and Exodus passenger, interviewed by David Drimer; Sid Reischer, 2nd generation survivor and author; and Don Schapira, 3rd generation survivor.

Chapter 16 of this week’s portion describes in detail how to enact Yom Kippur: dressed in plain white linen (as opposed to his regular very elaborate vestments), Aaron, הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל ha’kohein ha’Gadol, the High Priest, enters the sanctuary alone and sacrifices a bull and a ram. Then he takes two goats and casts lots upon them. One goat is slaughtered and offered to God on behalf of the people’s sins. The other goat is chosen as the scapegoat. ... What’s wrong with this picture?

You can view and download a copy here.