Community or individuality?
Should we all be alike sharing common values, tastes, and gaols? Or should we each be on our own individual track, distinct, separate, and essentially alone? Am I better off conforming to a template or blazing my own path (and perhaps sticking out like a sore thumb)?
Good news is we can get the best of both worlds. The name of last week's Torah portion was Vayakhel - that Moses gathered the Jewish nation together. This week is Pekudei - counting, each individual is distinct. Both elements are needed.
Last week, as we celebrated Shabbat 100, or rather Shabbat 120, this idea was crystal clear. The palpable energy in the room was electrifying, a magical crowd that could not be duplicated in miniature. And yet, the beauty of it was to have 120 individuals, each with their own identity, passions, and pursuits. The only way that Shabbat 100 was possible was by bringing together the individuals.
And that is where the magic is at. If we all simply became identical, then we are just redundant iterations of ourselves. Pretty boring, and to be honest, I'm not sure I'd want to spend Shabbat with one hundred me's. However when we each bring our unique contributions to the table, and we merge together for a shared interest, a common goal, that's a party that I'd like to go to. It may be unattainable on our own, but it is unstoppable when we join forces.
Let's keep on getting together for good things, and with each of our personalities, we can together continue to achieve miracles!
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
Super excited to welcome our counselors, Gitty, Sarah Leah and Chaya to camp this year! Hailing from Vancouver, Toronto, and Atlanta they were handpicked for Camp Aleph this summer! Will you be joining the 20 kids already enrolled for a summer of a lifetime?
ב"ה