Creating Blessings Amidst Life’s Difficulties
The
final portion of Leviticus may well be the most difficult to read. In Bekhukotai, we read a series of blessings
following a long list of “Tochechot” curse-like punishments. There is a tradition that when the
“Tochechot” are read on Shabbat morning, the reader is instructed to read them
as quickly as possible so as to not overwhelm the congregation. It is not
simply the terrifying descriptions of “Tochechot” that make them so disturbing;
there is also the fact that the blessing section is so much shorter in length. Why
are the blessings outnumbered by almost three to one?
The
great commentator Ibn Ezra suggested that while the blessings are in fewer
sentences, they are actually more numerous as they, unlike the curses, are
written in general categories. In this sense, they are far more
encompassing. This may be true and
evident to someone who has the luxury of sitting and reflecting on passage but
for one enduring the suffering of “Tochechot” it can be very difficult to focus
on the blessing. But that perspective
can make all the difference at a challenging juncture in one’s life. This is why I believe the Torah put the
blessings before the “Tochechot”. As
hard as it is blessings should be our starting point.
Over
the years I have sat in admiration watching people faced with great physical
challenges choose to see the blessings amidst the “Tochechot” of illness. One of those people is Shelby Lerner who has
endured a number of surgeries in the past six years. Yet, when speaking with Shelby what you will
hear about are the blessings in his life beginning with his remarkable wife,
Michal. In addition, Shelby speaks
glowingly about our community which has rallied around him and his family
driving him to treatments, making play dates for the kids, visiting, and
sending over meals. For this family the
kindness and caring of a community has made a significant difference, allowing
them to see the larger blessings in the midst of the challenges.
This Sunday, May 17, 2015 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park
at Diversey Harbor, the 3rd Annual Join the Voices! Chicago Run/Walk, organized
by Voices Against Brain Cancer ("VBAC") will be held. A 5K run/walk
will begin at 9 AM. A team entitled
Shelby’s Shining Stars will be amongst the participants. They are committed to VABC’s mission to find
a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research,
increasing awareness within the medical community and supporting patients,
their families and caregivers afflicted with this devastating
disease.
We want to encourage the members of our
community to participate. You can
contact the synagogue office for information about registering and where
Shelby’s Shining Stars will be gathering.
If you cannot be there, please consider making a
donation in Shelby's honor and visit http://www.voicesinmotion.org and search under team name “Shelby’s Shining Stars”.
We have an opportunity to make a powerful lesson
of the Torah come alive by helping to create the blessings that others can
focus on amidst the vicissitudes of one’s life.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Michael Siegel
