22 Adar 5781 March 6, 2021

PRIDE OF ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 59 Lissom Crescent, North York, ON M2R 2P2

(416) 226-0111; Fax: (416) 226-0128

Website: www.prideofisraelshul.org

SERVICE TIMES

Friday, March 5 7:30 a.m. and 5:25 p.m. Shabbat, March 6 7:05 p.m.

ALL SERVICES ON ZOOM

SHABBAT PARAH

This Shabbat Sheet is sponsored by Toby and Allan Perlmutar

in loving memory of his Dad, Sam Perlmutar.

Ki Tisa

Rabbi Leslie Lipson

Cantor Charles Weinberg

Ritual Director Larry Spring

Interim Ritual Director Larry Shilling

Synagogue Chairperson Michelle Epstein

Society President Willy Lindo

Ritual Chairman Carl Zeliger

Sisterhood President Carol Arshoff

Candle Lighting

Mar. 5 – 5:54 p.m. Mar. 12 – 6:02 p.m.

Sunday, March 7 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday March 8 - 11 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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TALKING TORAH

The Holy On Their Knees, The Reckless Are Out Wrecking, The Timid Plead Their Pleas

Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia “Days Between” Last week, there was a gathering in Orlando, Florida.

Fascinatingly enough, this particular gathering had nothing to do with Disney World and Mickey Mouse. Instead, Orlando was the sight of a C-PAC, Conservative Political Action Conference.

This year several politicians and supporters gathered to pay homage to former president Donald Trump. At the entrance to the large ballroom was a gold bust of Trump. Supporters stood next to the gold bust, supporters took pictures alongside the gold bust, supporters gazed, gawked, and fawned over the gold bust. They respectfully touched it and acknowledged it as if it was a sacred likeness to their idol. Inside the ballroom, these supporters heard political leaders publicly pledge their fealty and loyalty and blind allegiance to Trump and his policies. Indeed, there was idolatry outside and inside that ballroom.

This Shabbat is the third of the four special Shabbatot that precedes Passover. It is known as Shabbat Parah, and the weekly Torah portion is entitled Ki Tissah. Parsha Ki Tissah is divided into several parts. The first section of Ki Tissah focuses upon the commandment of the half-shekel. God commands Moshe to take a census of the population and collect a half-shekel for each person counted. By taking the census and collecting the half-shekel tax, Moshe was able to finance the Mishkan construction. The second part of Ki Tissah discusses the final details for the Mishkan, including the spices that are to be used, the oil to be processed prior to burning, and the designation of Betzalel ben Uri from the tribe of Judah and Ahaliav ben Achisamach from the tribe of Dan to be the Master Builder and Designer of this national project.

The last section and perhaps the most theologically difficult is the narrative of B’nai Yisroel’s construction of and the sin of the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf). God wants to wipe out the people, but Moshe urges God to reconsider. Moshe then descends the mountain and becomes just as upset as God, and he throws down the Shnei Luchot HaBrit – the Two Tablets of the Covenant. After calm has been restored, Moshe re-ascends the mountain to pray for national forgiveness. Moshe returns to B’nai Yisroel with a second set of tablets.

When Moshe re-ascends the mountain seeking forgiveness for the people’s idolatrous behaviour, he experiences a personal revelation. God passes by him. However, Moshe is only permitted to see God’s back as God passes by, not God’s face. During this moment of apology, repentance, and personal revelation, God reiterates the covenant. VaYomer Hinei Anochi Koreit Brit Neged Kol Amcha E’eseh Niflaot Asher Lo Nivre’u V’Chol Ha’Aretz U’VeChol HaGoyim - God said, ‘Behold, I seal a

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covenant: Before your entire people I shall make distinctions such as have never been created in the entire world and among all the nations.; and the entire people among whom you are will see the work of Hashem – which is awesome - that I am about to do with you. HiShameir Lecha Pen Tichrot Brit L’Yosheiv Ha’Aretz Asher Atah Ba Aleha Pen Yiheyeh L’Mokeish B’Kirbecha- Be vigilant lest you seal a covenant with the inhabitant of the land to which you come, lest it be a snare among you. (Ex. 34:11-12) Indeed, building and worshipping the Eigel Zahav (the Golden Calf) was a grave violation of Bnai Yisroel’s covenant with God.

However, from God’s perspective, the more serious concern was B’nai Yisroel’s emulating the indigenous idolatrous tribes that were living in B’nai Yisroel’s covenantal land. God reminded Moshe and the people that they must not weaken the nature of the covenant. They must not emulate these nations for fear that B’nai Yisroel becomes L’Mokeish - ensnared, trapped, and weakened. How could these idolatrous nations ensnare B’nai Yisroel? The fact is these nations cannot trap or ensnare B’nai Yisroel. However, if B’nai Yisroel becomes spiritually weak, spiritually less vigilant, and begins emulating these idolatrous tribes, then B’nai Yisroel will become L’Mokeish, ensnared, trapped, and weakened. Only B’nai Yisroel can allow itself to become ensnared.

No matter the country in which we live, no matter the neighbourhood in which we reside, we must be vigilant of the idolatry around us “lest we become ensnared” and begin engaging in idolatry. Idolatry comes in numerous forms: ancient or modern, a Golden Calf or a Golden Bust, worshipping in the cult of personality, the crass materialism of a consumer society. Whatever the form, whatever the mode of idolatry, it results from our passions, emotions, fears, wants, and desires. When passion and emotion overwhelm our ability to think and reason for ourselves, we become L’Mokeish, ensnared. So the Torah calls B’nai Yisroel to remain vigilant, keeping emotions and passions in check. God reminds Moshe that the survival of B’nai Yisroel and the covenant requires that we ground ourselves. We must protect ourselves and keep our covenant by relying upon our minds, our ability to reason, and our ability to connect our souls’ holiness and our ability to connect with God.

Peace,

Rav Yitz Rabbi Leslie Lipson

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Access to Mount Sinai Cemetery

The Pride of Israel section at Mount Sinai Cemetery is open for visitations Sundays through Fridays. Please verify the hours on Mount Sinai’s website before visiting. These hours are subject to change. Social distancing rules apply. As we are updated from both the Province and Mount Sinai Cemetery directly, gatherings must adhere to Provincial rulings. There cannot be more than the permitted number of people at any gravesite at any time. Any more beyond that number, the cemetery workers will ask you to leave. Other cemeteries are also opening. Each has different rules. Please check the websites or call the individual cemeteries directly for more information. Placing monuments at the cemetery can now take place. Check with individual cemeteries for their current position regarding unveilings.

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