Blog

I remember clear as day, when I was a 3rd grader, I went to see Star Wars. It was the most amazing cinematic experience I had ever had with great characters, a great story, and new, flashy sci-fi effects never before seen on screen. I found it intriguing, though, that in the opening, the words that scrolled across the screen began with “Chapter 4.” What? Did I miss 3 movies? And yet, that story in and of itself stood alone as compelling and whole. I wondered about the other 3, which I had no idea would come decades later, providing much of the needed backstory and character development that would put Chapter 4 in perspective.

If Torah were a movie and one was to tune in at the beginning of the second book, the Book of Exodus, where the Mosaic narrative begins, one might have a similar “Chapter 4” Star Wars experience. It is a great story with a central hero, Moses, and a great quest, to bring the people out of slavery, help form them into a nation and deliver them to the Promised Land, all in service of the One God of heaven and earth. It stands well on its own, compelling and whole.

However, to really give the story legs, it is the prequel, the Book of Genesis, that gives perspective to the rest of the Torah. This week we conclude that prequel and it will be many months before we hear the names Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachel and Joseph again. Without those foundational characters who are at Judaism’s core, Moses has no covenant to live up to, no pioneers to be inspired by, no home to which he could return the wandering Jews of the desert, no quest that God can send him on.

As we say goodbye to Genesis in this year’s journey through Torah, I find myself asking questions about my own life. How have the previous chapters of my life led me to this point? What quests have I accomplished and who inspired me to accomplish them? What quests do I still need to pursue? What chapter/book am I in? I will miss Genesis, but look forward to once again meeting Moses and all of the adventures and wisdom that will come with the re-reading of his and the Jewish people’s amazing journey. Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek. May we be strong and draw strength from our incredible stories, and may the force be with us on our way.

Shabbat shalom,

Beth