Voices of WRJ: Tzav

by Jerri Passo The parashah for this week, Parashat Tzav describes God’s commands in relation to the offerings of animal and meal sacrifices at the temple. Although these sacrifices are not a part of the Jewish practice today, I believe this relates to offerings and actions that are demonstrated in our sisterhoods and within WRJ each day. Words that came to mind when studying this parashah included preparation, leadership, holiness, fire, example, senses, and connection. Preparation and Leadership: WRJ women prepare for service through the study of Torah and the application of Jewish principles to our activities. As one prepares for leadership there are specific details that require attention: mind, body, and spirit. This preparation allows WRJ to repair the world in concert with Torah. These activities connect us to our ancestors and spur us to prepare. So as the temple priests were commanded to offer sacrifices; we too are commanded to study Torah. Through this command, I find a deeper understanding of the Torah and discover a holiness in time. Holiness and Fire: I discover a sacredness through descerining how the Torah relates to now. For example, Tzav reads, “And the fire upon the Altar shall be kept burning in it: it shall not be put out” (Leviticus 6: 5). As the fire on the altar must not go out, so too must the fire within us remain burning. Our desire to repair the world through action: action within our local sisterhoods to make a difference in our communities. Combining sisterhood activities and resources with WRJ allows a synergistic social action process to continue the repair of the world through advocacy initiatives. Example: Through our individual and collective efforts we, WRJ, lead by example. Women striving to understand, learn, and support others. To rise up for social justice even when that stand may be hard. A tenacious, spirited, dynamic assembly of women who celebrate our diverse opinions and come together with one voice to eliminate injustice. Two specific actions by WRJ included the resolutions on distracted driving and pay equity for women passed at the WRJ Assembly in November 2015. Senses: As the burnt offerings were described as pleasing to God, scent, vision, sound, and taste—all of our senses are engaged in the understanding of Judaism. Through preparation of our homes, preparation of ourselves for Shabbat, for Passover, for the High Holydays—these activities bring us into a connectedness with our foremothers and our sisters. Music, words, quiet reflection, challah, and togetherness weave throughout our lives as single threads culminating in a tapestry of memories. Connection: A connection of events, weekends, and days piques our senses to awaken us to new meanings, new understandings, and deeper relationships with one another. Through our shared values, joint activities, and celebrations we learn, play, work, celebrate, support, laugh, and cry together. A beautiful tribe of sisters joined in holiness, burning with a fire for a better world and stronger together. Jerri Passo is a WRJ Board member. She is also a member of Temple Shalom in Louisville, KY, where she serves on the Women of Temple Shalom Board.