December/January/February 2011-2012 - Congregation Mishkan ...

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LESSONS FROM RAIN: COMING TOGETHER IN DIFFICULT TIMES Rabbi Daniel Berman and spend a couple of hours cleaning the outdoor chairs that rusted during the winter, well, the hope is that, on that first morning of Sukkot, the sun will rise, and you will look up at the sky through the tiny holes in the roof of the sukkah, and be warmed by the glorious sun. No, rain isn’t always so welcome. In the Hebrew Bible, Sukkot was primarily an agricultural festival, and similar celebrations were common throughout the ancient Near East. It was the season for harvesting the summer’s crops. During the harvest, and later, during the journey to ancient Jerusalem in celebration of this pilgrimage festival, rain was – in the language of our ancient rabbis – a siman klalah: a curse! Once that harvest was brought in, however, prayers for the new season began. These prayers were (and still are) bound up with hopes that the skies would open and rain would fall to moisten the earth and to strengthen the roots of perennial crops. Some ancient teachings endure. Rain during sukkot is not good. And yet, for many in this world, there is a more serious problem than rain splashing down upon us during Sukkot: what happens if the rains never come? For those continuing to work the earth, it means crops may be limited, and the financial stability of families and communities might weaken, with much worry in their lives. This concern is an ancient one. In a source known as mishna Taanit (meaning fasting), our rabbis asked: what happens if the day when we are to say the prayers for rain arrives, and the rain does not fall? What do we do? The mishna responded: When the rains did not fall, individuals began three fasts. If the start of the next month of Kislev arrived, and still no rain, the Court decreed three fasts for the entire community. If these fasts passed and the rains didn’t fall, the Court decreed three more fasts for the community. If these fasts passed and the rains didn’t fall, the Court decreed an additional seven, which was now thirteen fasts for the community. This mishna may feel distant, inapplicable to our lives. We can read it and say, really, you think fasting is going to bring you rain? You think there’s a relationship between your fasting and the rains? But I read the mishna to suggest an understanding that, ultimately, we don’t control the rains. Rain is not just called “geshem” but “gevurot geshamim” (“the powers of the rain”) a phrase I think reflects an underlying understanding of God, Who is “Gevurah” (powerful) in nature, and an understanding of the limits of human control. So why all the fasting? Why the ongoing and increasing severity of the fast? Perhaps it’s to consume less. To cut back on those things we consume in order to preserve them. This continues to be an important message and possibility in our lives. But there’s also a spiritual message that emerges from the text: After the first set of fasts, the remaining fasts are communal. This is how members of a community 2 CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA DECEMBER <strong>2011</strong> - FEBRUARY <strong>2012</strong>
come together. They do teshuvah together, seek solace in one another, share experience, pray together, and come to rely on one another. They’re not just fasting to atone for wrongs so that rains will magically come. It is not just magic. It’s also a commitment to living out their lives together, whether in good or in difficult times. This is, of course, a message for our lives as well. What do we do when our prayers remain unanswered? Or our economy and financial stability weakens and we are concerned for our present or our future? How might we respond? Following the tone of our High Holidays, our tradition continues to teach us: look around you. Immerse yourself in community. Support one another. Offer comfort. Share experience. We are in this together. You are not alone. Together with Sarah, and our children Elie and Mica, I wish you a year full of sustenance, prosperity, peace and comfort. Visit the NEW www.mishkantefila.org for news, updates and resources. 3
Page 1 and 2: CONGREGATION MISHKAN TEFILA VOL. 62
Page 3: HAPPY CHANUKAH FROM THE CMT BOARD!
Page 7 and 8: As proud as I am of these accomplis
Page 9 and 10: PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 5772 (2011-2012)
Page 11 and 12: PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 5772 (2011-2012)
Page 13 and 14: For all ages including families FRI
Page 15 and 16: Nursery School in the Sukkah Brothe
Page 17 and 18: BLESSING OVER CANDLES Barukh atah A
Page 19 and 20: OUR B’NEI MITZVAH Jordan Blocher,
Page 21 and 22: LEND A HAND LEND A HEART Be ONE in
Page 23 and 24: MAZEL TOV NEWS FLASH! Margie Tichno
Page 25 and 26: KAITZ KRENTZMAN NURSERY SCHOOL FUND
Page 27 and 28: TRIBUTE FUND IN HONOR OF Arthur (Ab
Page 29 and 30: Leila Sobin by Tammy and Gerald Kno
Page 31 and 32: IN MEMORIAM DATE DECEASED MEMBER Ju
Page 33 and 34: January 2012 Tevet - Shevat 5772 Su
Page 35 and 36: Take a look! OUR NEW WEBSITE, WWW.M

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