“And G-d called to Moses and spoke to him…” (Lev 1:1) This is how our parasha begins this week, the very beginning of the book of Leviticus, or in Hebrew, Vayikra: and [G-d] called.
Context often helps. The previous book, Exodus, ends with the completion of the mishkan, the portable sanctuary in which G-d's presence can dwell amidst the Israelites. G-d's presence fills the mishkan at the end of Exodus, leaving no room, it seems, for anyone or anything else, particularly Moses.
With Moses now outside of the Tent of Meeting, G-d must call before G-d speaks. One thing the context and words of the parasha remind us so simply is that we find ourselves sometimes displaced from those we need to stay in relationship with, and our lack of proximity requires a call.
I recently read a Margaret Killjoy article about opposing fascism in which she repeated over and over again: “Deescalate all conflict that isn’t with the enemy.”
Sometimes deescalation requires we call those we have lost our proximity to and find ways to work together again, or at least unburden ourselves from any obstacles between us spiritually, cosmically, emotionally. Perhaps that call toward can even enable us together to call out what needs calling out – fascism, genocide, climate poisoning, et al. – even more powerfully.
May we find strength and dignity as we call across divides to reunification to together fight what needs our full throated opposition.
And may we find rest in the midst of it to fuel our endeavors.
Shabbat shalom,
R’ David
Context often helps. The previous book, Exodus, ends with the completion of the mishkan, the portable sanctuary in which G-d's presence can dwell amidst the Israelites. G-d's presence fills the mishkan at the end of Exodus, leaving no room, it seems, for anyone or anything else, particularly Moses.
With Moses now outside of the Tent of Meeting, G-d must call before G-d speaks. One thing the context and words of the parasha remind us so simply is that we find ourselves sometimes displaced from those we need to stay in relationship with, and our lack of proximity requires a call.
I recently read a Margaret Killjoy article about opposing fascism in which she repeated over and over again: “Deescalate all conflict that isn’t with the enemy.”
Sometimes deescalation requires we call those we have lost our proximity to and find ways to work together again, or at least unburden ourselves from any obstacles between us spiritually, cosmically, emotionally. Perhaps that call toward can even enable us together to call out what needs calling out – fascism, genocide, climate poisoning, et al. – even more powerfully.
May we find strength and dignity as we call across divides to reunification to together fight what needs our full throated opposition.
And may we find rest in the midst of it to fuel our endeavors.
Shabbat shalom,
R’ David
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