Voices of WRJ: B'har

by Judy Wexler I recently had the opportunity to visit southern Spain, where so much Jewish history exists. I even had the privilege of attending a community Pesach Seder in Seville, where there is currently a small but thriving Jewish community. Nonetheless, for the most part, Jews have not lived in that area for over 500 years. As we toured the ancient cities there, I was faced over and over again with the devastation experienced by the Spanish Jews, culminating with the death of so many and the expulsion of others. Spanish Jews were denied their most basic freedoms, as occurred at so many other times in our history, although some continued to practice their Judaism at great risk. As I traveled and visited old synagogues and museums dedicated to the Spanish Jews, I recognized the theme of exile, which our people have faced so many times. This week’s parashah, B’har, or “at the mountain of”, presents laws given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Thus, we begin the parashah by recognizing the close relationship between the people of Israel and God, during the period of the Exodus. The handing down of these laws at Sinai also emphasizes their importance. The laws of B’har include the laws of the jubilee year, which involve certain requirements every 50 years. These provide that the land must be allowed to lie fallow in that year—as it must every seventh year. In addition, in the jubilee year, property reverts to its original owners, and slaves must be freed. Here we find the phrase, “You shall proclaim release throughout the land for all its inhabitants” (Leviticus 25:10). We recognize this line, as the phrase was changed slightly and placed on the Liberty Bell as, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land . . .” In this way, this expression has become a symbol of freedom to people of all religions. It seems that B’har is expressing the application of ethics and social justice into our behavior. Although, over the course of 50 years, land may have had to be sold, or it may have fallen into others’ hands, the laws recognized the need to redistribute property for the sake of fairness. The parashah also acknowledges that God is the ultimate owner of all, making it available for our use during our lifetimes. In addition, B’har recognizes the need for social reform and humanitarian concerns, by requiring that Israelite slaves be freed, in due course. This parashah teaches us the importance of every generation treating our resources kindly, and saving them for the next. We must remember that we are being allowed to live in this world, which also brings with it certain responsibilities. While growing up, my family was fairly observant. We attended services every Shabbat morning, stayed home for Friday night dinners, and celebrated all of the Jewish holidays with our extended family. In addition, ideas of social justice were intertwined closely with our Jewish observance, arising from my grandparents’ beliefs, as immigrants, in the importance of fairness and opportunity. I bring these principles to my role as a member of Women of Reform Judaism, where we work constantly to ensure that the world continues to be a place where all are treated fairly, both economically and socially. WRJ’s efforts to effect change in our world includes its support of equality for women, protection of the disabled, efforts to put an end to hunger, support of the fight against climate change, and providing for victims of natural disasters, among so many other issues.  Our organization helps to make certain that the perils faced by the Jews in the past, such as those in Spain, will not reoccur. One of the ways in which we can all help with this work is through the YES Fund, which supports youth, education, and special projects. Our Sisterhood, the Women of North Shore Congregation Israel, has just held this year’s YES Fund Tea, which honored our congregation’s two women rabbis. We are proud that WRJ provides support for special projects around the world that allow for economic and social freedoms for so many. Judy Wexler is a new member of the WRJ Board of Directors. She is a past Sisterhood president and a past congregational president at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois.