D'var Torah

Parashat Emor contains 63 of the Torah ’s 613 mitzvot, many of which direct us on how to sanctify time. Chapter 23 and 24 of Leviticus deal with the laws of Shabbat, Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah.  In this chapter we learn about not only the when of the Jewish calendar — when to eat matzah and when to blow the shofar – but also the how – the way we sanctify time through prayer, ritual, story and even action.

It feels fitting to reflect on the ancient assignment of sacred times as we have spent this past week observing two newer sacred observances - Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. Because Yom HaZikaron is usually observed only in Israel, we American Jews have less experience with it. If we were in Israel, we would see that all places of public entertainment (theaters, cinemas, nightclubs, etc.) are closed. The most noticeable feature of the day is the sound of a siren that is heard throughout the country twice, during which the entire nation observes a two-minutes “standstill” of all traffic and daily activities. The first siren marks the beginning of Memorial Day at 8 PM, and the second is at 11 AM, which is followed by a public recitation of prayers in the military cemeteries. All radio and television stations broadcast programs portraying the lives and heroic deeds of fallen soldiers. Most of the broadcasting time is devoted to Israeli songs that convey the somber mood of the day. You can imagine the weight and emotion of Yom HaZikaron this week. Those who died on October 7 were memorialized. People gathered at make-shift monuments as well as at the graves of their dead. Like our ancient observances, communities turned to prayers and rituals to create the sense of sacred time.

Yom HaAtzmaut also encompasses ritual. It begins as the sun sets on Yom HaZikaron. As that observance ends, the flag flying on Mount Herzl at half-staff is raised to the top of the pole. The president of Israel delivers a speech, and soldiers representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force parade with their flags. This is followed by a torch lighting ceremony which marks the country’s achievements in all spheres of life. Traditionally, during the day, thousands of Israeli families go out on hikes and picnics. Army camps are open for civilians to visit and to display the recent technological achievements of the Israeli Defense Forces. Yom HaAtzmaut concludes with the ceremony of granting the “Israel Prize” recognizing individual Israelis for their unique contribution to the country’s culture, science, arts, and the humanities. Sadly, this year, Yom HaAtzmanut was a solemn day. Oct. 7 and the ongoing war with Hamas cast a dark shadow over celebrations almost to the point of eclipse. Barbecues were replaced with study sessions; Israeli dancing replaced with long walks on quiet roads. Prayers for peace helped to mark this as sacred time, especially in the face of the great challenge that is before us.

Interestingly, in our Torah portion in the midst of the many details instructing us on defining and creating sacred moments, we find this line (Chapter 23 verse 22,) And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I Adonai am your God. It seems odd that in the middle of describing these many holy days when we don’t work, we have this commandment about ensuring that the poor are looked after. Here we have Judaism’s perpetual reminder that even on the most important days of the year, we must think of others. Leaving the corners of our fields for others, translates into ensuring that everyone has what they need especially on these special days. For Jews, marking sacred time, includes the sacred act of supporting others.

Ancient or modern, Judaism offers us, teaches us, encourages us to mark time to reflect both the highs and lows of our history and our own personal experiences. This is a gift of our tradition. The blueprint that the Torah offers in this week’s portion has been and should continue to be used to acknowledge and appreciate what our life present to us. Especially in this year of great turmoil both in Israel and in our own country, we must embrace sacred time and use it for inspiration, healing and helping others.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Amy Schwartzman