This Shabbat, we have a double Torah portion that brings us to the end of the book of Exodus. We learn about how the Israelites were instructed to build the Tabernacle and how priests were anointed. It’s filled with detailed descriptions of rituals that are very different from the ones we observe today.
Looking back for a moment, the Book of Genesis focused on the personal relationships God established with individuals. It started with Adam and Eve and was more clearly defined by Abraham, who passed it down to his son, grandson and ultimately to his great-grandson Joseph. Joseph’s family then rapidly expanded, creating more branches of the family that would go on for generations.
The Book of Exodus details a different world where these generations find themselves as slaves in Egypt. Through the leadership of Moses, God creates a communal relationship with the Israelite slaves as they move from slavery to freedom and into the wilderness.
At the end of each book of the Torah, we recite the words “Chazak, chazak v’nitchazeik" – let us be strong, let us be strong, we will strengthen one another.
Interestingly the Hebrew — “chazak” is in the past tense, while “nitchazeik” is in the future tense. The word “chazak” is singular, and “nitchazek” is plural. We channel the strength it took to get us this far into the next journey, the next book. The work we have done in the past is there to help inform success in our future.
This pause between these books allows us to reflect on how far we have come. It is an opportunity for us to think about the individual relationships we have with one another, the roles we play that comprise our congregation, and how that connective tissue strengthens our community.
To continue strengthening our community, please take a few minutes to complete the Belonging Survey. Thank you for your help!
