Shabbat Shalom GRJC

Weekly Emails to the Congregation

Parshat Tetzaveh 2008

Shabbat Shalom to the GRJC family,

We light our Shabbat candles this week at 5:12pm. Friday evening services will begin at 8 pm.  Saturday morning services will begin at 9 am.

We read this week from parshat Tetzaveh in Sefer Shemot, the Book of Exodus.  The beginning of our parasha describes the priestly garb for Aaron, the high priest.

One of the pieces of the priest's garb, or vestments, is the plate that hangs around his neck.  The closest equivalent for us is the metal plate that hangs over the front of the Torah scroll.  The plate, called in Hebrew choshen, contains four rows of three precious stones.  These twelve stones reflect the twelve tribes of Israel, and each stone contains the name of one tribe.

This plate is known specifically as a choshen mishpat, and so there is a connection between it and judgment of the people.  One connection between the plate and judgment is that the plate represents the entirety of the Israelites.  The priest represents the presence of God as the Judge before all those under God's jurisdiction.

The idea of connecting the judgment that happens on Earth with the judgment that is legislated in heaven likely inspired courts and municipal buildings to take the controversial step of displaying the Ten Commandments.  Courts also display the blindfolded "lady of justice" carrying the scales.  This image originated in Ma'at, the Egyptian goddess of justice, and carried through, and beyond, Roman civilization with the goddess holding a sword and scales, something that was not the case with the earlier Greek representation of justice.

All these symbols serve as reminders to both the magistrates and the people that justice should be carried out in an inspired and impartial way that leads to the perpetuation of our best values.  Jewish tradition realized, though, that courts were not infallible, and Rabbis dedicated a full section of the Talmud, the tractate horayot, to identifying and resolving the potential problems that can arise with the judgments of the courts.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbat,

Rabbi Tow

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Due to Presidents' Day weekend, there is no Hebrew School or Nursery School this Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 2/17-2/19.

There is no Melton 1 Class on Monday, 2/17.

Interfaith Bible Study meets on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Corner of Rock and Ackerman) in Glen Rock. The class will study the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Heather Misrock will become a Bat Mitzvah next Shabbat.

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24 for these three programs:
--Rabbi Tow's Adult Education class resumes at 9:30 am. The new class will explore "Jewish Business Ethics."
--Gabbai Training 1:00-2:00 pm
--Project College Bound 7:00-8:30 pm  - For high school students and their families.  How to navigate the college search process and how to think about the Jewish community on campus when looking at colleges.

HEBREW CONVERSATION CLASS is on hiatus for the rest of Feb. It will resume on Wed. March 5.

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