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Seasons of Torah

08/13/2020 08:30:47 AM

Aug13

Beth Schafer

There are so many ways in which we mark time. Holidays, school schedules, milestone events, all give us markers in an ever-flowing calendar of which no one day is distinguishable from another. In Judaism, music helps mark time-melodies for different days or time of day, as well as different seasons help us navigate the Jewish year. I also like to think that there are seasons of Torah. We read about the parting of the Red Sea around January or February, the story of the spies is always during the summer, the story of Noah in the fall, and Joseph around November or December.

In this time of pandemic, time and Torah have become a bit blurred. As we had many B’nei Mitzvah postponed from their original dates, kids being called to Torah now are chanting verses that I’m used to hearing in March. Leviticus in July is like wearing a parka to the beach! And, now that we are in the midst of recording High Holy Day services, the mystery and divinity of Genesis has prematurely made it into my Torah consciousness.

The rabbis tell us that while we read the Torah linearly according to the calendar, we need not see the Torah as a beginning-to-end story. The struggles of Jacob can live side by side with the struggles of Moses; the boldness of Rebecca next to the leadership of Miriam.

And so it is with life in these difficult days. Our seasons and time markers are off, but maybe there is something to be learned. As I study the final words of Moses at the same time as the opening verses of creation, I am reminded that part of life is randomness, messiness and disorder. We must look for constants to help ground and center us. So, on this Shabbat let us look to nature to remind us what season it is, let us lean into the ones we love to provide stability to our spirits and let us find time to give thanks each day for the blessing of friendship and community which, even from a distance, is at the core of our survival during this time.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784