WRJ Voices: Sh'lach L'cha

In the Torah Portion Sh’lach L’cha, Moses sends twelve scouts to assess and report on the land of Canaan, the land that God has promised. The scouts return with a mixed report on the land and the people. In Numbers 13: 32-33, ten scouts report “All of the people that we saw in it are of great size…and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them.” (The Torah A Women’s Commentary, p. 875). In contrast Joshua and Caleb report of the wealth and surety of Adonai’s promise of protection and blessing. Again, the Israelites turn away from God in rebellion.

Our ancestors struggled with leadership responsibilities and had to stand up against unpopular opinion and rebellion in the course of their lives. The Israelites wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua for their reports. In many ways not much has changed. Our world is fraught with conflict and injustice. People are being killed or otherwise harmed for their beliefs. Many remain enslaved in their communities from poverty, tyranny, oppression, hunger, and social injustice.

Despite these obstacles, Women of Reform Judaism works to move the scales on social justice. Despite overt or covert resistance, we work through the RAC, with Women of the Wall, and through the YES Fund, to create positive energy and demonstrate the power of women with a purpose. On the local level sisterhoods work to feed and clothe members of their community. Many women participated in women’s rights marches and rallies in their communities early this year.

 A few weeks ago, a delegation of our sisters departed for Israel. They met with Women of the Wall, a group working to “attain social and legal recognition of our right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray, and read from the Torah, collectively and aloud, at the Western Wall.” The women were among those experiencing the successful presence of four Torah scrolls and worshiping together at the Western Wall.  How wonderful and exciting that experience must have been! One big step for womankind!

There are many social giants in our time. Cantor Josee Wolff wrote in the Women of Reform Judaism The Torah A Women’s Commentary: “As Harvey Fields wrote, we too can “conquer “Promised Lands” when we have regard for our talents and belief in our creative powers. The sin of the spies grows from their failure of self-love and self-respect.” (p. 889.) Each of us has a responsibility to use our talents and creative powers to create a just and fair world. It only takes a spark to bring light to the darkness. This spark could be one act, a kind word, standing up to injustice, or any number of activities. As Dr. Seuss says “Oh think of the places we can go.”

Where is Adonai sending you?

Jerri Mobley is a member of Temple Shalom in Louisville, Kentucky. She serves on her Sisterhood board as recording secretary, on the WRJ board, and on the Central District Board as South Area Director.