Terumah 5783 ~ February 24, 2023

Often, I will take time sharing with you my thoughts of personal study related to the Torah portion of the week. However, this Shabbat we need to take a moment to pause and reflect upon the people of Ukraine, their courage, their commitment and their defiance against Putin and his aggression against democracy and the right of a sovereign nation to determine how best to maintain that democracy by joining an alliance of countries who have joined together to provide each other with protection.

This Shabbat evening, we ask you to reflect upon the image of the menorah that is described in our Torah portion for this Shabbat. The menorah was crafted out of one piece of gold. If one were to gaze at it, one would easily sense the artisanship that was involved: seven branches in total, with seven cups crafted with the shapes of almond blossoms, flowers and petals.

One commentary, Rashbam, suggests that if one looked carefully, one might see that the center shaft contained many holes and that, in a sense, was an elegant picture of the craftsmanship involved in making this one pieced candelabra. Today, as we witness the continuation of Putin’s aggression, we see the many gaping holes, not only in the buildings but also in the lives of every individual Ukrainian.  It is simply beyond words to sense the gaping holes in families through both loss of life and in having to relocate to Poland and other countries around the world. It represents the holes in the infrastructure that provides the needed heat, electricity and light for normal life.

So, this Shabbat we will join together not only with the Jewish people of Ukraine, but with all of the people of Ukraine in solidarity. In that regard, as part of the national program of the Jewish Federations around the globe and the JDC (Joint Distribution Committee), as we light our Shabbat candles, we encourage you to add one candle to honor the bravery of the people, to be mindful of the lack of heat and light in the cold nights due to the Russian aggression against the simple needs of a civilian population, and to honor the men and women who are now valiantly serving to protect their country. We also offer a candle in honor of those who lost their lives serving to protect not only their democracy, but the democracy of nations throughout the world.

Tonight we light a third candle in solidarity with Ukraine, with its people and with its leaders. And as we light the candle, may we pray for the guiding light that will end this aggression and bring a rebirth and rebuilding to such a resilient nation and people.

Shabbat shalom.

Rabbi  K