D'var Torah

Memory plays an incredibly potent role in Judaism: we are commanded to zachor, to remember, in many of the 613 commandments found in the Torah. In the passages of Ki Tetzei, this week’s Torah portion, we see numerous examples of these instructions. We are told to “remember the stranger, for we were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Or, to “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Or, another example, to “always remember that you were a slave in Egypt,” and therefore keep the remaining harvest in your field for those who are needy in our community.

Our memories help shape our identity and help guide us in building a better world. There is seemingly so much to remember — and Judaism calls upon us to relive our pain almost as much as our joy. For, if we failed to remember the experiences of our lives we might not know how to confront our present.

And now, as we steadily approach the holiest days of the year, we will soon hear the familiar sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Why do we blow the shofar? The rabbis tell us, “The Holy One of Blessing said, ‘Sound the Shofar so that I may remember on your behalf the Binding of Isaac the son of Abraham and account it to you as if you had bound yourselves before Me.’” (Talmud Rosh Hashanah 15a). In this example, we are asked to relive the pain of Isaac and Abraham on Mount Moriah; to feel ourselves bound before God, and then released. By reliving the painful memories of our ancestors, we are doing as the Bal Shem Tov said, “in remembrance lies the secret to redemption.”

May memories of this season lead us to acts of kindness and forgiveness, and may we open our hearts to the possibilities of a sweet New Year.

Shabbat shalom,

Cantor Rachel Rhodes