I had just finished reading the 10 commandments. Surrounded by friends and community, it felt as glorious as the Jews must 
have felt standing at the foot of Sinai (minus the actual thunder and lightning). Nearly 50 people had gathered to reexperience our nation's defining moment (and eat some cheesecake). The mood was upbeat during our first full on Torah reading. A special highlight was when the children had gathered around the bimah, the podium upon which the Torah is read, for the reading of the Big 10. The brunch that was to follow was a spectacular spread of cheesecakes, lasagna, quiche, bagels & lox (of course), an ice cream bar, and more.
And then I heard the news. For the previous 36 hours, I had been in a blissful technology-free zone, in honor of Shabbat and the holiday. Someone shared with me the devastating news of what had occurred in Orlando. A senseless act of hate. And this news, after having just read the unambiguous commandment not to commit murder.
As we offer our thoughts and prayers for those who lost loved ones or were otherwise affected by this terror, let us also make a positive difference. Torah values Life. Life is sacred to the point that nearly every Mitzvah can and should be desecrated in order to save even a single life. Let's take a stand and appreciate the lives of those around us, even those whom we may have never met, or whom we disagree with.
Another thought: A part of why this tragedy is so shocking and strikes a chord within each of us, is the setting. The use of a war machine in a nightclub in the midst of music and dancing; an alligator attack at Disney, the happiest place on earth (even though obviously, you can't compare), a stash of weapons recovered next to a Petaluma park. Incredible evil beside joy and happiness is what sets us off, and makes these even worse than they already are (despite there being no "good" place for any of these).
The response that it should elicit is to combat it with "senseless acts ofkindness". That through the tears and the hurt, we should double our efforts to increase in acts of kindness, light and love. To obliterate the darkness by dominant waves of goodness. This is the mission that we were entrusted with at Sinai, and which we continue to carry today; to infuse this crass physical world with G-dliness.
A camp song that I grew up with quotes the famous Chassidic master the Ba'al Shem Tov:
For seventy-eighty years,
A Neshama (soul) wears and tears,
Just to do a favor for another,
Love him with all your heart,
The heavens spread apart,
For every Jew is really our brother.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
From the Rabbi's Desk
#Orlando
Does Matter Matter?
Get this. The Torah was around before the Torah was around.
That's right. Before the Torah was given on Mount Sinai, the Torah was already being studied. In fact, we're told that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept the entire Torah.
So then what's the big deal? Why the celebration and fanfare? (Not that I mind a good slice of cheesecake). What truly occurred at the Mountain amidst the thunder and lightning, witnessed by three million strong?
So here's the scoop: Prior to the giving of the Torah, there were two separate worlds; spiritual and physical. The two couldn't mix, interact or even relate to each other. It would be like trying to fit an elephant through the eye of a needle. So in order to experience spirituality, one had to escape, even reject the physical.
The magic that happened that day was that the barriers went down. It now became possible to fuse the two worlds together. To inspire the physical with a spiritual energy. To transform mundane objects into something special. A Torah scroll. Shabbat candles. A blessing on a Challah. A coin to charity.
At Sinai, we learned that the whole purpose of existence is to live our lives - personal, family, community and business, infused with inspiration and holiness.
Transforming matter into something that matters.
So this Sunday, as we celebrate Shavuot, the giving of the Torah for the 3,328th time, think how you can bring some more spiritual energy within the life that you are already living.
Here's one way; come hear the 10 commandments and make a blessing on some ice cream!
Wishing you a Happy Shavuot!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Glamorous Resort or Desolate Desert?
The Holiday of Shavuot is coming up. Soon the house will be filled with the delicious smell of freshly baked cheesecakes, cheesy lasagna and all sorts of dairy delicacies. This, as a tribute to when the Torah was first given, along with the laws of Kosher. Being that it was Shabat, preparing meat and "kosher-izing their utensils were not options, so they ate dairy instead.
We'll be getting into the spirit with a cheesecake edition of Kids in the Kitchen (this Monday), and a Floral Decorating Workshop led by Israeli-born Tali Bousikla (on Wednesday - a Jewish Women's Circle event). For the occasion of the giving of the Torah, Mount Sinai miraculously sprouted a luscious blanket of flowers.
The pinnacle is next Sunday, when we read the Ten Commandments, reliving that great moment that turned us into a nation. We'll be celebrating in grand style with an Ice Cream party deluxe, and an elaborate dairy spread, following the reading of the Ten Commandments Live!
We hope you can join us for one or all of these events.
I'll conclude with a quick thought: Why was the Torah given in the desolate desert instead of some glamorous resort to fit the magnitude of the moment?
Well, precisely for this very reason. Had it been given on Wall Street, there would have to be a board and committee. Had it been in Israel, a choice would have to be made between the Holy city of Jerusalem, the Mystical city of Safed or hi-tech Tel Aviv.
Instead, G-d wanted a simple and absolute connection. Us and the Torah. Each one of us having full and equal rights to participate in this gift.
Rabbi Dovid Bush