Parashah T'tzaveh

I have been thinking a lot about the concept of “carrying the weight of the world on one’s shoulders.” This image is often associated with Greek mythology, specifically Atlas, who is frequently depicted carrying the earth (although the myth might have been initially that he carried the heavens, separating earth and sky). Very often, carrying the weight of the world is seen negatively as taking on more responsibility than necessary or taking on a burden that belongs to someone else. In some cases, shouldering the burden is seen as justified. In the Torah, it is depicted literally.

Parashah T’tzaveh describes Aaron’s priestly vestments in great detail.

• (Exodus 28: 9) Then take two lazuli stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel: (10) six of the names on one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone… (12) attach the two stones to the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, as stones for remembrance of the Israelite people, whose names Aaron shall carry upon his two shoulder-pieces for remembrance before (God).
• (Exodus 28: 15) You shall make a breast piece of decision worked into a design… (17) Set in it mounted stones, in four rows of stones… (21) The stones should correspond (in number) to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, corresponding to their names.  They shall be engraved like seals, each with its name, of the twelve tribes.

In his role of high priest, the weight of the heavy stones that Aaron wore would never allow him to forget that he worked on behalf of the people of Israel. He carried all the tribes on his shoulders and chest. The vestments were a constant and genuine reminder of the responsibility of leadership.

Keeping in mind that these d’vars are written weeks before they are published, this is as far as I had gotten before last week. I intended to talk, largely in general terms, about the responsibility of a leader to guide, or if necessary, carry, a group of people. However, I (we) recently experienced both the loss of one of our leaders, WRJ Past President Connie Kreshtool z”l, and witnessed the hostage event at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.  

Connie was the president of my sisterhood, the president of my congregation, and the president of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (now WRJ) all years before I joined our congregation in 1988. When I got to know her, several years after I joined the congregation, it was evident that when Connie spoke in her quiet and measured way, whether at a sisterhood or congregational board meeting, at weekly Torah study, or elsewhere, people listened. She was humble and never advertised her past accomplishments; I learned about her history from others. It was clear in her words and her work that she carried the best interest of the sisterhood, congregation, and community on her shoulders. 

As someone who saw Connie practically weekly, it is hard for me to imagine a world without her in it. May her memory always be for a blessing.

I also watched and prayed during the hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel. I wondered at the strength and courage of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker during the crisis as he drew upon his knowledge and training to deal with the hostage-taker. He kept his wits about him in a terrifying situation. When he chose to act, throwing a chair at the hostage-taker, he did so at his own peril to allow the other hostages to escape. As the spiritual leader of his congregation, Rabbi Cytron-Walker’s fate and the fate of the others rested largely and heavily upon his shoulders.  

Although our leaders demonstrate concern for the welfare of our community, they do not carry the world on their shoulders as Atlas did in Greek mythology. They do so with dignity, just as Aaron was instructed to do. Their clothing may not literally adorn them with the names of their people, but the welfare of the people they lead is engraved on their hearts and minds. When called upon to lead, may this be true for us all. Amen.