By Rabbi Abraham Unger, Ph.D.
Executive Director
This Week’s Torah Portion
The Meaning of Service
In this week’s parsha, we learn of the priestly garments. These are the special vestments worn by the Cohanim to officiate in the Tabernacle in the desert, and later in the Jerusalem Temple. This begs the question. Isn’t spirituality internal? Why are there so many verses spent on clothing and accessories?
Rashi suggests that the term “priesthood,” which is the Hebrew root of Cohen, denotes service. The Cohen is reminded of his role in service of both G-d and the Children of Israel through his uniform, so to speak. The way we present reflects our purpose.
The Jewish people is called in the Torah a “Mamlechet Cohanim,” a nation of priests. Our mission is to serve. All of the symbolism around our prayer and learning, from Tallis to Tefillin to marking Shabbat, remind us of our goal to serve, and in so doing, to change our world for the better.
Weekly Parenting Message from the Parsha
Parenting with Heart
Our society prizes the intellect, especially in a tech-driven age. Strategy and STEM have overwhelmed much of how we define meaningful work and achievement. Judaism appreciates these purposes, but asks for balance in also remembering the emotional and spiritual side of creativity.
In the week’s Shabbat Torah reading, Aaron, the first officiant in the Tabernacle, or High Priest in formal terminology, is asked to remember his heart as he represents the law to the people. Society was advancing, the Rule of Law was developing, but underneath clear and direct teachings for communal progress was a reminder to balance the mind with the soul.
As we parent we too have to find the balance in our own lives between discipline and openness. A home must have rules; children need structure, but the rules must be infused with deep care and an affection through which the child intuits that their boundaries are there to nurture.