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DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS
UONEL GOLDBERG Feb. 5
ESTHER GIESBRECHT Feb. 8
M Porti
People blessed with love
Moses' greatness is most apparent in his absence.
RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN TORAH COLUMNIST
Tetzaveh
Exodus: 2720-30:10 Efrat
Oflen what you really have is that which you give away, what you most profoundly say is the silence when you wisely decide not to respond, and the most commanding presence is in the absence of the personality's presence. An example of the third phenomenon is found in this week's Torah reading, the only portion since the opening of Exodus wherein Moses' name does not appear. Why not?
The Midrash suggests that Moses initiated his own absence. When the Israelites sinned by worshipping the golden calf, G-d says to Moses: "I shall destroy [the nation] and I shall make from you a great nation." (Exodus 32:10) No longer worthy of His benevolence, G-d suggests that He wipe out Israel and start a new nation, a new branch, fiiom the loins of Moses himself
But Moses refuses to increase his own glory at the expense of the nation. "ITie climax of his argument is an ultimatum: G-d must forgive the people, "if not [says Moses], blot me, I pray you, out of Your book which You have written." (32:32) G-d relents, and Moses' willingness to be obliterated as long as his nation prevails, is eternalized by the fact that, in one portion of the Torah his name is "missing in action."
It is significant that the "blotting out" of Moses' name occurs in Tetzaveh. The portion is almost entirely devoted to the priesthood; the garments that the priests are commanded to wear, as well as the sacrifices that shall be brought to "sanctify the priests." Tetzaveh is often called parashat hakohanim, the portion of the priests.
Without a temple, the priest's public role is limited. One area, though, where his presence is still felt is the daily priestly blessing during the repetition of the morning Amidah; at the conclusion of the blessing for peace, the priests stand before the congregation and recite, "May G-d bless you and keep you..'.." Before these words, they say, "Blessed are you Lord, our G-d, King of the universe who has sanctified us with the holiness of Aaron, and has commanded us to bless His people with love."
How can we legislate the emotion of love which the priests arc expected to feel? How can we measure the love-quotient felt by
the kohain when he ascends the bimah for the blessing?
Chie answer lies in the veiy nature of the priesthood, in how the Bible legislated the priestly class's means of livelihood. Members of the priestly class who served in the Temple received no portion of land to till or business to develop. They made their livings by tithes given them by the Israelites. Since the tithe was a percentage of the crop, the better Uie farmer made out, the happier the kohain ended up. Therefore, the kohain-priest could truly give the blessing of prosperity to the congregation of Israel "with love."
As well, it was because the ko-hanim were freed from professional or agricultural pursuits that they were able to devote themselves entirely to (3-d and the re-ligio-moral needs of the nation. Their single-minded commitment to the Divine was symbolized by the words engraved upon the gold plate (tzitz) worn aixnmd the forehead of the High Priest: "Holy unto G-d." (28:36)
Indeed, so important was it that the religious and moral message not be compromised by politics that the Bible legislates a separation between the religious and legislative spheres: the tribe of Judah was entrusted with sovereign, legislative leadership whereas the tribe of Levi was entrusted with religio-moral leadership. Thus, the kohain is in a totally independent position, above economic interests and the intrigues of palace politics.
From this perspective, love does not describe the emotions of the kohain, but rather the content of the blessing; the most important blessing that can be bestowed upon the nation is that we live together in harmony and love. Only a priestly class separated from petty self interests and competitions, truly devoted to G-d, can hope to inspire such love and harmony. -
Now we can imderstand why Moses' name is absent from Tetzaveh. If the kohanim are to symbolize selfless commitment to (j-d and to nation, can they possibly have a better example than Moses, who was willing to have his name removed from the Torah for the sake of the future of his people? Indeed, the essence of Moses' greatness emerges most clearly from the portion of his absence.
Shabbat Shalom. □_
Rabbi Shlomo Risfcin is chief rabbi of the city of Efrat, Israel, and dean ofOhr Torah institutions in Israel.
Candlelighting:
Friday. Feb. 18 5:17 p.m. Tktzaveh Feb. 19,6:13 p.m.
Aish Hatorah (Orthodox) JCC, 3636 Shelboume St., Victoria. Min-yanim two Shabbats a month at 9:30 a.m. For information, call (250) 592-4162.
BellinghamEytzChaim (Conservative) 2116 Wabiut St., Bcllingham. Alternate Fridays (8 p.m.) and Saturday mornings (9:30 a.m.). (360) 671-7011. 6^
Beth Hamidrash (Scphardic Orthodox) 5435 Baillie St. Rabbi Ilan Acoca. Daily, 7 a.m. Shabbat,
9 a.m.; Sun and public holidays, 8:30 a.m.; Fri, 10 minutes before candle U^ting Sat, sunset 872-4222.
Beth Israel (Conservative) 4350 Oak St. Rabbi Charles Feinberg, Cantor Steve Levin. Torah reader David Rubin. Daily, 8 a.m. (public holidays, 9 a.m.) and 6 p.m.; Fri, 8:15 p.m.; Sat, 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Sun, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. 6-
Beth Shalom Sanctuary (Traditional) OJCC, 108 North Glenmore Rd., Kelowna. Shabbat service last Sat of month, 9:30 a.m. (250) 862-2305.
Beth Tikvah (Conservative) 9711 Geal Rd., Richmond. Fri, 8 p.m. and Sat, 9:30 a.m. 271-6262; www.uscj. org/pacnw/richmondbtc it
Burquest Jewish Community (Traditional) Conservative-stylo Shabbat and holiday services in Tri-Cities area. Call for schedule. 526-7235.6.
The Centre for Judaism (Chassidic) 2351 128 St., Crescent Beach, White Rock. Rabbi Falik Schtroks. Shabbat (and holiday) morning services 10 a.m., followed by kiddush. Kabbalat Shabbat with inspirational singing, 7 p.m., first Friday each month. For Hebrew school, classes and summer camp information, call 541-4111. 6^
Chabad-KiUiiano (Chassidic) 3673 W. Broadway. Rabbi Lipa Dubrawsky. Sunday services 10 a.m., breakfast and discussion to follow. 737-1574. b-
Chabad-Lubavltch (Chassidic) 5435 Baillie St. Rabbi Yitzchak Wineberg. Daily,   7 a.m.; Sat,
10 a.m.; Sun, 9 a.m. 266-1313. b-
EitzChaim rOrt/iodox; 8080 Francis Rd., Richmond. Rabbi Avra-ham Feigelstock, Daily minyan, 7 a.m.; Fri, 6 p.m.; Sat and Sun, 9 a.m. Classes Monday held at Rabbi Feigelstock's home. Saturday lesson: Ethics of our fathers. 275-0007. 6l
Friday, Feb. 25 5:29 p.m. KiTisa Feb. 26, 6:24p.m.
Emanu-EI (Conservative) 1461 Blan-shard, Victoria. Thur, 7 a.m.; Sat,
9 a.m. (250) 382-0615. 6.
Har-EI (Conservative) North Shore, JCC, 1305 Taylor Way, West Van. Rabbi Imre Balla, Fri, 6 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m., or www.harel.org 925-6488.6.
Jewish Reform Congregation of Victoria Services held the fourth Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Victoria JCC. (250) 477-7749.
Louis Brier Home (Orthodox) 1055 W. 41st Ave. Friday ni^t services begin at 4 p.m. through the winter. Officiated by S. Haber and choir-A. Selwin, P. Pelman, M. Moses and R. Rosenberg. Shabbat morning services start at 9 a.m. and are officiated by B. Smollan, R. Rosenberg and C. Komfeld. Dvar Torali by Rabbi Dubrawsky is followed by Kiddush. Daily services, minchah and ma'ariv, will be at 4 p.m. during winter and 4:15 p.m. in the summer. 261-9376. 6-
Or Shalom (Jewish Renewal) 710 E. 10th Ave. Rabbi David Mivasair. Sat, 10 a.m.; weekday minyan, 8-8:30 a.m.; www.orshalom.bc.ca. 872-1614. dv
Schara Tzedecic (Orthodox) 3476 Oak St. Rabbi Baumol, Cantor Orzech, Torah reader Rev. Mar-ciano. Mon and Thur, 7 a.m.; Tue and Wed, 7:15 a.m.; weekdays, sunset; Fri, 7:15 a.m. and sunset; Sat, 9 a.m. and half-hour before sunset; Sun, 8:30 a.m.
ShaareyTefilah (Union for Traditional Judaism affdiate) 785 W. 16th Ave., Rabbi Ross Singer, Torah reader Rabbi I. Bimbaum. Fri, eve. (call for time); Sat and Sun, 9 a.m. 873-2700.6-
Temple Sholom (Jteform) 7190 Oak St. Rabbi Philip Bregman, Canto-rial Soloist Arthur Guttman. Morning minyanim; Mon and Wed, 7:15 a.m.; Fri, 8:15 p.m.; Sat,
10 a.m. 266-7190. 4v ToratHayim Community {Traditional participatory) 483 Eastcot Rd., West Vancouver. President Lionel Abrams, Torah readers David Pikary and Shalom Kalfon, services led by Jeffrey Milton and Gabriel Milton. Services each Sat, 10:30 a.m., followed by Kiddush. Monthly discussion groups. 984-4168 orwww.meteg.com.
White Rock/South Surrey Jewish Community Centre Monthly Friday night services held in host members' homes. 7:30 p.m. Conducted by community members. Kiddush following services. #105 -15284 Buena Vista Ave., White Rock. 541-9995. b.