In This Moment: The Ground War Begins..on Shabbat; The Day the Music Died (and the month it came back)

 

In This Moment Shavua Tov - It was a Shabbat filled with significance. Click to see photos, video and the dvar Torah of our Bat Mitzvah, Eliana Nadel. Above: Sen. Blumenthal, speaking at our service last night, co-sponsored by AJC. Find the service archived at https://www.tbe.org/tbe-live/. Below: Click to watch this running loop featuring the names of those who perished in Hamas's terror attack on southern Israel, from Israeli TV. The Ground War Begins..on Shabbat I am not surprised that Israel chose to begin its ground attack on the Sabbath. While some might consider it bad luck, or even a sin, a war such as this one can - and must - be fought on Shabbat. It was also one of the few ways Israel could use the element of surprise, since the "devout" Hamas brass would think that Jews wouldn't dare risk angering Adonai by fighting on Shabbat. Fighting on Shabbat is what israel's enemies do when they want to pull a surprise attack, which is what happened on Oct 7. In the second century BCE, Seleucid armies adopted the strategy of attacking Jewish renegades on Shabbat. The Jews offered little resistance and were slaughtered. In 1 Maccabees, the Hasmonean patriarch Mattathias rejected that blind piety, stating, "If anyone comes against us on the Sabbath day, we shall fight against him and not all die as our brothers did in their hiding places." The Talmudic sages taught that one who is vigilant in saving a life on Shabbat is praiseworthy. The Talmud presents several scenarios involving permissible Sabbath violations to save a life including rescuing a child from a pit or saving someone drowning in the sea. The rabbis applied the principles of Pikuach Nefesh both to saving the lives of Jews and gentiles and also made it clear that the risk of death did not need to be certain or immediate. (See this parsha packet on Pikuach Nefesh) By any definition, rescuing hostages, one of the prime goals of the invasion, justifies fighting on Shabbat. --------- Here is the Ha'aretz summary of today's happenings: ■ Israel’s military operation in Gaza has entered a "new phase," says Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, amid reports of a far more significant Israeli incursion into Gaza involving infantry, armor, engineering and artillery forces in cooperation with the air force. IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi reiterated that the objectives of the war require a ground operation in Gaza. “To expose the enemy, to destroy it, there is no choice but to enter forcefully into their territory,” he said. Israel says it assassinated Hamas' naval and air force commanders overnight Friday. ■ Amid an almost complete internet and cellular blackout in Gaza, heads of major international aid organizations, media outlets and charities said they’d lost contact with their local representatives. ■ U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking with his Israeli counterpart, emphasized the “importance of protecting civilians” during IDF operations and and on the “urgency of humanitarian aid delivery for civilians in Gaza," according to a Pentagon statement. ■ The U.S. has deployed its second aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Eisenhower, in the Mediterranean, further bolstering its military presence amid concerns of an escalating conflict with Iran and Hezbollah. ■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas since October 7. Netanyahu told the families that he’s “not sure people understand how” the effort to return the hostages “is conducted and in what scope, including instructions to the forces in the field and in very broad, global, and local contexts - and it continues all the time." ■ A Hamas spokesperson claimed that the organization was about to reach an agreement with Israel over the hostages held in Gaza, but that Israel had "stalled" on that possibility. He added that Hamas would only release all the hostages if Israel freed all of its Palestinian security detainees. ■ Rocket barrages targeted northern and southern Israel throughout the day. IDF exchanged fire with Hezbollah fighters near the Lebanon border; a surface-to-air missile from Lebanon intercepted by Israeli air defense system. ■ The IDF’s spokesperson said Israel was “expanding the humanitarian effort” to bring water and medicine into Gaza, adding that Gazans who moved to the south “will receive assistance." ■ A Palestinian man was shot and killed by an Israeli settler in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and Israeli military sources, as violence continued to soar in the area. ■ The Palestinian Authority’s health minister, Mai Alkaila, accused Israel "committing genocide in Gaza" and claimed that 7,300 Gazans have been killed so far, and 19,000 were wounded. ■ At least 29 journalists have died covering the Israel-Hamas war so far, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. ■ Israel has ordered its diplomats to return from Turkey to Israel in response to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan repeating, in front of a mass pro-Palestinian rally, that Israel was an occupier but Hamas was not a terrorist organization. ■ In London, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched to demand the UK government call for a ceasefire. Meanwhile Egypt’s foreign ministry said “Israeli obstacles” are impeding the delivery of aid to Gaza. The Day the Music Died and the month it came back Click to watch a telethon held a few days ago, called "We are here," a show of support for residents living on those communities devastated on October 7. The program raised over 8 million shekels and featured some of Israel's most famous musicians. There are no subtitles, but music is an international language and these songs are all pretty well known among Israelis - for good reason. ---------- October 7 was literally the day the music died. Israelis love music and especially to sing together at festivals, so the fact that a music festival was a prime Hamas target was, in a sense, an attempt to kill music itself. Because of that, it is more important than ever to restore music to its rightful place in Israeli and Jewish culture. We have to keep on playing and singing. Every war in Israel has had its signature songs. As the tanks rumble into the fray this night, it's still too early to know what tunes from this war will capture the hearts of a grieving nation. But already, musicians have been working overtime to lend comfort to troops and to those on the home front, and to raise money for victimized families. I'll share some of what has come out this far, in the hopes that it might restore music to our lives as well, and in the hopes that quiet and safety might soon return in a more permanent way for all those who live in the region, Israelis and Palestinians alike. The Israel Philharmonic has been working overtime. Not only did they provide accompaniment for the telethon, but they performed a program of classical music before an empty hall (for security reasons) but which has been seen all over the world. Against the backdrop of the Gaza war, Yuval Dayan released a new song titled "Keep Your Heart." Dayan shared that the song was born out of a meeting with a bereaved mother who requested a song capturing the situation and the power of togetherness. Dayan never considering releasing a new song right now. Instead, she found solace in connecting with fighters, wounded individuals, evacuees, and finding comfort in consoling those in mourning. Each encounter inspired her even more. (See 'Waiting for You at the End:' Yuval Dayan releases new Gaza war song - JPost). The song is below, and English lyrics below that: If the light goes out between us, it will reignite in its place If the sea becomes entangled between us, We will navigate away and return in due time Let the sadness peel away, aiding its passing If you are unsure, I will provide you with reasons, just take care of this heart Remember the good because I promise to protect us, I will not leave Just trust this heart, focus on the girls because I promise to safeguard us. Israel specializes in songs to comfort and strengthen the spirit in troubled times. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a cottage industry. A nice collection of these songs has just been put together by an Israeli music site: See below: The Maccabeats came up with this new version of the traditional prayer for Israel. Here's Zamir's version of the Prayer for the IDF, performed several days ago. (Yes, that's Dan in the third row). And below that, David Burger's exquisite version of the Prayer for the State of Israel. Last week, Israel's top satire show, Eretz Nehderet, returned to the air. Remember how SNL returned after 9/11 (seeing Mayor Giuliani in the opening is a little freaky)? Well, this was similar, with a song led my Shlomo Artzi. David Broza did a full concert at B'nai Jeshurun in NYC lsat week. The concert begins about 30 minutes into the video, and you'll find Yihye Tov where it belongs, as the finale. Sunday's Israel Headlines The Jerusalem Post Ha'aretz (English) Yediot Achronot Recommended Reading Opinion | I'm Not Angry at Hamas or Bibi. I'm Angry at Those Who I Believed Were Just Like Me- A feeling of terrible loneliness envelops me. I am a left-winger, I still believe that part of the harsh criticism of Israel is fully justified, I know what we are doing in the territories and in Gaza, I haven’t forgone my solid opinions. But I will not justify – and I expect of others not to justify – the barbarism, and not to “understand” it, not even by an iota, but to struggle against it. Every justification, every explanation, is unacceptable. And anyone who doesn’t get the point needs to shut up. Simply shut up. Temple Beth El 350 Roxbury Road Stamford, Connecticut 06902 203-322-6901 | www.tbe.org    A Conservative, Inclusive, Spiritual Community

Coronavirus Update and Shabbat-O-Gram, March 20: Saving a Life, Jewish Law and Disruption

Shabbat-O-Gram

From the Rabbi's Bunker

 

 

I was one of nineteen rabbis included in a piece by Forward editor Jodi Rudoren about the challenges of virtual pastoring. See the article here.

Friday Evening Service Instructions:  6 PM

Click on this link - https://zoom.us/j/637524739

Before the service, you can download the pages from our prayerbook 

Click here for a pdf of Kabbalat Shabbat services 

If you prefer to call in and just hear the service:  

Call-in: (646) 558-8656; Meeting ID: 637 524 739

NEW:  SUNDAY AT 1:00 PM HEALING PRAYERS AND CONVERSATION

with me and Katie Kaplan....

Topic: Healing and Conversation

Time: Mar 22, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/530487668

Join by phone: (646) 558-8656, Meeting ID: 530 487 668

Rabbi Jordan Braunig, Director, Initiative for Innovative Community Building at Tufts, drew this simulation of a Zoom meet-up.  He wrote:

Shabbat Shalom!

First and foremost - mazal tov to Katie Kaplan on her selection by our board of trustees this week as our next cantor. Like many here, I've known Katie for the two decades she and Eric have been at TBE.  Her passion for Jewish music is unmatched and I can attest to her impeccable drive to succeed and grow from each experience.  We all saw it during our recent High Holidays, as well as at Purim and the many Shabbat services she has led, for adults and kids.  She is unquestionably more than qualified, and she knows our community very well, so the learning curve will be less pronounced than it would be otherwise.  Most of all, she is a nice, caring, empathetic person - a mensch.  We are truly lucky to have her and i look forward to working with her.

I find Shabbat to be serving an important function during these weeks of crisis and separation. At a time when it is so easy to lose our bearings, Shabbat helps us   to recalibrate, to re-set our minds and spirits, our sense of where we are, what season this is, what week this is, how far we've come and how far we have to go.  

We live our weeks one Shabbat at a time, gliding from Shabbat to Shabbat rather than lurching from crisis to crisis.  Shabbat is that time to take a deep breath.  Yes, spring has begun, but of course, appropriately for this year of dizzying disruption, it might snow on Monday.  Let's not allow that to fool us.  It's March 21.  It's spring.  it will be getting warmer.   The crocuses are already sprouting.  Let's try to live from Shabbat to Shabbat.

This week's portion of Vayakhel continues a theme that dominates the second half of the book of Exodus, describing in vivid detail the construction of the tabernacle (Mishkan) in the wilderness.  The placement of the prohibition of work on Shabbat immediately before the Mishkan passages led the rabbis to draw a connection between.  The Mishna lists 39 basic categories of work (Melacha), based on kinds of work done on the Mishkan, from which are derived many other Shabbat prohibitions.

So this Season of the Virus might be a magical opportunity to disrupt your crazy lives and insert a real Shabbat, one where you don't leave home, where we recalibrate, where we take the time to simply "be."

On the other hand, in some ways it might a less traditional Shabbat for many Jews - because we need to rely on technology more than ever before. 

Pikuach Nefesh...

Breaking Jewish Law to Preserve Life

If you take a look at the Vayakhel Parsha Packet, you'll a plethora of rabbinic backing for the notion that you can break Sabbath and other laws in order to save lives. 

The Shabbat laws are derived from this portion, which speaks primarily about the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness, so this is an opportune time to discuss why preserving life takes precedence, not only with regard to Shabbat, but also for the ordinances revolving around needing an in-person minyan to say Kaddish and other major prayers, at a time when congregating in groups of ten or more can be seen as a life-threatening activity.

 

Leviticus 18:5 states, "You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord."

From this injunction to "live by them," the rabbis derived the principle of Pikuach Nefesh, which states that almost any Jewish law can be circumvented if it will save a life. Examples given in the Talmud include Sabbath violations, such as rescuing a child from the sea, breaking down a door about to close on an infant and extinguishing a fire to save a life. In the Mishna, we read (B Yoma 83a) that someone seized with a "life threatening" hunger can break the fast on Yom Kippur.

 

In 1848, during a cholera epidemic, Rabbi Israel Salanter ordered his community to disregard the fast in order to preserve their health. Famously, he ate in front them (read more about that in the parsha packet). So, from the start, Judaism has always been so flexible as to have a built-in GPS that allows for instant recalculation of religious obligations during times of extreme disruption. Adaptation, seen by most a grudging concession to reality, is for Jews a mitzvah. The  exception to the rule becomes the rule.  

Which is why it has now become OK to say the Mourner's Kaddish with a virtual minyan, as this article states:

(JTA) - The leaders of the Conservative movement's Jewish law committee issued a crisis declaration allowing the recitation of the Mourner's Kaddish with a virtual online prayer quorum.

In a statement issued this week, Rabbis Elliot Dorff and Pamela Barmash, the co-chairs of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, said that given the current public health crisis it's permitted to constitute a prayer quorum, or minyan, with individuals connected by videoconference.

"This permission of constituting a minyan solely online, whether for all prayers requiring a minyan or only for Mourner's Kaddish, is limited to this 'sha'at hadehak' (crisis situation), where for weeks at a time, gathering a minyan is not possible without risk to human life," the rabbis wrote.  "This permission is also limited to an area where most of the synagogues have been ordered, or recommended, to close for the crisis."

Guaranteed Minyans are BACK!

We are now in business for Zoom minyans.  Instead of being early in the morning, they will be in mid-afternoon, at 2 or 3 PM, and we will do them on request for those who wish to say Kaddish with a virtual minyan.  So send me your Guaranteed Minyan requests.  New guidance from the Rabbinical Assembly allows us to do the Mourner's Kaddish without a minyan, as long as we can see the faces of ten people in our virtual room.  Zoom allows us to do that.  If this is successful, we could expand it in the future.

Download the Weekday Afternoon service from Siddur Sim Shalom

See the updated halachic guidance by clicking here.  

Some weekend reading...

The Forward has removed the paywall for its coronovirus coverage.  

- Why American Jews are at Greater Risk for Coronavirus (Forward)

- Click here for a pdf of Shabbat Morning services (to pray on your own)

-‘We rehearse for this all the time’: Holocaust survivors face coronavirus with grit and humor Marisa Fox-Bevilacqua (Forward)

 

- Coronavirus is a reminder: Bnei Mitzvah theme is ‘coming of age’ Jodi Rudoren(Forward)

 

- Coronavirus or Democracy: Which Crisis Should Israelis be More Worried About? (David Horovitz: Times of Israel)

 

- Times of Israel Live Blog

- Protesters Accuse Netanyahu Of Exploiting Pandemic For Power Grab (Huffington Post)

These are precarious times, for our health, our economy, our society and our democracy, for America, Israel and the world.  This is the ultimate test of our courage and our kindness, our integrity and our resilience.  Whatever the price we must pay - and physical separation is a huge part of it - we can and will get through this together.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Joshua Hammerman