Voices of WRJ: Parashat Ki Tavo

Onto the Land of Milk and Honey... A gift of honey arrived today from my good friend, Fritzi. She is wishing me a Sweet New Year but with that wish I am reminded that a sweet new year does not always come magically. This was a new fundraiser for Women of Temple Sinai this year, brought to us by Fritizi. I feel especially honored to be receiving this from her and I now realize it will be a sweetness that will last the whole year. In fact, as we consider this week's Torah portion KiTavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), we are reminded that coming out of 40 years of wandering and entering the Land of Canaan, The Land of Milk and Honey, has not only been a journey of challenges but one that has tested and continues to test our commitment. We have been given laws that have told us to be good children, be respectful of our earth, share our bounty with the less fortunate, eat certain ways, select or purchase our spouses, avoid idolatry, sacrifice the first fruits of our labor, donate 1/10^th of our fortune every three years, and more rules that sometimes seem overwhelming. There is a challenge between the 12 tribes, evenly divided on two mountains as they holler back and forth between "curses" and "blessings,” almost as if they were cheering from opposite sides of a football game, to remind themselves of the consequence should they stray from the laws. Upon entering the Land of Milk and Honey, we are expected to take personal responsibility for these laws and apply them as learned in our day to day lives. Yet on the mountaintops we are not alone; we are supported by our community. Yes, we are to follow the covenant, but we don't have to do this alone as the blessing and cursing is witnessed in community. But where in modern times do we find the most supportive communities to reaffirm these covenants? Our sisterhoods and synagogues are where we seek and can find the community that will strengthen us to take care of our parents, grow our families, feed the hungry in our communities, protect folks from domestic violence, be the voice for those who cannot speak up, build our confidence, care for our environment, challenge our thinking, stand together in protest of wrongdoing, and more.  These are a few of the modern challenges that I work on with the Women of Temple Sinai, who sometimes individually feel tired, but together are effective and energized, who ensure that the covenant continues to be honored but most importantly accomplished and witnessed through our community. Once again we revisit our preparation to enter the Land of Milk and Honey. Let us all recommit as we begin the celebration of Rosh Hashanah by reflecting on the challenges of the past year and how, through the effort of our community, we reached out to others.  Let us continue to have the strength to continue to reach out. Let us continue to nurture and appreciate our community and appreciate our desire to be worthy of our entering the Land of Milk and Honey.