This week's Torah Portion, Shemini, opens with the consecration of the Mishkan, the portable wilderness sanctuary. The ceremonies and rituals are described, with meticulous detail, as Aaron and the other priests get the Mishkan ready for use. But beyond whatever historical interest the story might hold, why does the Torah place so much emphasis on the Mishkan's inaugural rituals?
The Torah wants us to understand that the institutions we build - whether physical spaces or social structures - exist not as ends in and of themselves, but in order to serve a higher, sacred purpose. The Mishkan stands distinct and unique among all the tents and compounds in the Israelite camp not because of its design, its furniture, or its location, but because the priests dedicate it for God's service.
The same holds true for us today: we see Anshe Emet as a sacred community not because of the grandeur of our sanctuary, or because it holds Torah scrolls, siddurim, and other holy objects, but because our community comes together here to serve God through prayer, study, and acts of social service.
This Shabbat, we have the privilege to learn with one of the current leaders of Conservative Judaism, Dr. Arnold Eisen. Dr. Eisen, one of the world's foremost authorities on American Judaism, serves as the Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary. In his time at JTS, Chancellor Eisen has become a prominent voice for our movement, working with rabbis and communities to promote the sacred values of Conservative Judaism in a new century.
On Friday night, Chancellor Eisen will join in dialogue with Rabbi Michael Siegel on the topic of "The Land Of Israel: Land Of Longing, Land Of Promise." We'll begin the evening with Friday night services at 6pm, dinner at 7:15pm, and the dialogue at 8pm. You can RSVP for the dinner on our website. On Shabbat morning, Chancellor Eisen will offer a d'var Torah at the conclusion of the morning services, and following Kiddush he will lead a discussion on "The Role of the Conservative Movement in American Jewry."
We hope you can join us for some or all of our weekend with JTS's Chancellor Arnold Eisen as we consider the sacred purpose of Anshe Emet and the Conservative Movement as a whole.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Abe Friedman
To RSVP for dinner, click here.
