Our Torah portion this week sees the Israelites leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea – high drama! Our modern daily lives have been full of reports of terror and violence that leaves families bereft and, in some cases, breeds more violence. It is difficult to speak of higher values when so many suffer in the here and now. One of the places I draw inspiration from when the news brings me low is service organizations. I read about the glasses drive of the Lions’ Clubs, or the March of the Living. On Monday I read about the Girl Scouts of America and I learned a surprising amount. I had received an email from someone in Cheshire who is active in Scouting and wanted to help her troop members earn a “Shabbat” patch. She asked if I would be willing to let the troop visit and explain about Jewish customs and rituals for Shabbat. She attached an article from the magazine “Tablet” about the Jewish roots of Girl Scouting and it was fascinating!! Did you know the first GS cookies were baked in South Carolina and they were kosher???
But I digress… The email included a link to more info about the roots of Scouting in Faith communities and specifically about the Shabbat patch. One of the questions Girl Scouts should answer as they explore this patch is “For example, in what ways do you feel that you live a considerate and caring Jewish life?”
Wow, I had never considered that a question I would be asked! Knowledgeable, engaging, accessible – I’ve been asked about all of these, but considerate? Caring? Where is the room in our Jewish lives for these values today?
As we recall what was redemption for us but extreme suffering for the Egyptians, I ask us all to reflect: what are the restrictions that we feel bind us? How can we see a way to get ourselves free of them? But beyond our own personal answer, let me ask that we also reflect: how can I help those who are struggling alongside me? How can I see that each of us has an Egypt to experience redemption from – it’s just not the same Egypt for each of us.
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Leah Benamy
