Temple Emanu-El Haverhill News
May 19, 2020 | 25th of Iyyar 5780
"If one wishes to merit the receiving of Torah, one must . . . be naked and completely empty, like  Midbar. "*

This week we enter B’midbar, and we are invited to consider ourselves as the original wandering Jews: in wilderness. (Not necessarily “THE wilderness,” as Rabbi Stephen Kushner points out.) And what’s the first thing our Biblical ancestors did in this book, upon finding themselves in a featureless wasteland?  They took a census. Numbers and tallies of the entire adult population, divided up by tribe; a way of organizing their chaos and their fear. Something about their predicament to record. 

So too, we are now watching our numbers, locally and nationally: new cases recorded, hospitalizations, losses, those precious recoveries. Numbers can give us a sense of control even when they are enormous, overwhelming. “Hard” data helps harden our own resolve and it helps us plan with prudence and feasibility. 
 Due to precautions around the coronavirus, Cantor Vera will not hold physical office hours, but she remains available to you for your questions, conversations, and pastoral care. Please call her cellphone (617.372.3245) or contact her by email ( cantorb@TempleEmanu-El.org ) to set up a phone or video meeting.

Shabbat
May 22–23
29th of Iyyar 5780

Parashat B’midbar/Shabbat Machar Chodesh



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