RELIGION
It’s personal. By Rabbi Cary Kozberg Temple Sholom, Springfield I admit it. Since I first saw it as a kid, I have been a devotee of the 1956 film The Ten Commandments. Even as I came to realize the extreme liberties it takes with the biblical account (inaccuracies), what continues to recommend it is its reiteration of the biblical message that God wants human beings to be free. But not just free. Free to serve Him: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me (Ex. 7:27).” That’s why it’s a bit curious that in the film, Moses (Charlton Heston) relays only
Perspectives the first part of God’s directive to Pharaoh (Yul Brynner) — “Let My people go”— but leaves out the second part, “that they may serve Me.” Indeed, because the quote is often invoked without this second part, there is a common misconception that the story of the Exodus from Egypt is only about freedom from slavery, when more correctly it is about freedom to serve God. Fortunately, this curious deletion is corrected later in the film. When Moses comes down from Mt. Sinai with the Tablets and begins to scold the
Former Springfield rabbi dies at 90
Rabbi Lloyd R. Goldman, who served Temple Sholom in Springfield from 1983 until his retirement in 1995, died May 12 at age 90. A native of Cleveland, Goldman received his ordination at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati Rabbi Lloyd R. and served Goldman as rabbi of congregations in Chattanooga, Tenn.; Spokane, Wash.; and Downey, Calif. before his arrival in Springfield. At his retirement, the Springfield News-Sun described him as a “highly visible spiritual leader in a mostly Christian area.” He is survived by his wife, Bernice, four sons, and four grandchildren. Interment was at Mayfield Cemetery, Cleveland Heights.
people for worshipping the Golden Calf, he is confronted by Dathan (Edward G. Robinson) who says to him: “We're gathered against you, Moses. You take too much upon yourself! We will not live by your commandments. We're free!” To which Moses replies: “There is no freedom without the Law.” As I write this, we are celebrating Pesach/Passover. One of the other names of Passover is z’man cheruteynu, the season of our freedom. But taking a cue from Moses’ response to Dathan (an exchange that doesn’t occur in the biblical text), the “season of our freedom” is not really limited to the week of Passover. Rather, it encompasses the seven weeks which begin with Passover and culminate with Shavuot, also called z’man matan torateynu, the season of the giving of our Torah. Unfortunately, these two holidays are often misunderstood as two distinct festivals that commemorate two distinct events. More correctly understood, the holidays and the events that they commemorate are inextricably connected. Why? Because the movie script is correct: There is no freedom without the Law. Law creates clear boundaries and prevents social chaos by legislating what is and is not acceptable behavior when people live together. Without laws, people tend to believe Dathan’s words: “freedom” is having the right to do whatever they want to
CONGREGATIONS
God’s Voice at do whenever they Sinai, but also want to do it. that every person They confuse heard the Voice freedom with according to his/ license. Signifiher individual cantly Judaism’s understanding. source of Law, the The Voice was/ Torah, hardly disis addressed to cusses what rights us as a people; people have. On but it was/is also the other hand, it addressed to us as clearly sets forth individuals. an extensive list As the Hagof responsibilities: Rabbi Cary Kozberg gadah’s directive 613 of them. encourages us to On Shavuot — the season of the giving of our Torah—we af- experience liberation personfirm that we were not just freed ally, so Shavuot calls us to experience the revelation at from slavery, but liberated to Sinai personally. serve God. It calls each of us to rememWe commemorate gatherber/imagine what it was like at ing at Sinai, hearing the Voice Sinai when we were there. It that addressed us as a people calls each of us to ask: Where and collectively we responded did I stand? Next to whom was “na’aseh v’nishmah”—we will I standing? What did I see? comply and listen/understand, And perhaps most imporagreeing to comply first and tantly, to ask: In addition to understand later. what I heard as a member of During the the Jewish people, what did I Passover Seder, hear as an individual? we tell the story Unfortunately, although of our liberaShavuot is arguably the most tion as a people. important Jewish holiday But we are also (without the Torah, there encouraged to would be no other holidays), it experience that is also the most neglected. liberation perNevertheless, even if it is not sonally: In every observed as Jewish tradition generation each person should see mandates, one need not neglect it altogether. him/herself as if they themShavuot beckons each of us selves went out of Egypt. to reflect upon what it means On Shavuot, we recall our to each Jew to be a committed collective experience of hearJew and to renew that commiting God’s Voice at Sinai and ment on this important annireceiving the Law by which to versary. realize true freedom. It beckons each of us to ask However, just as the collecagain: What did I hear at Sinai? tive event of leaving Egypt is What assignment was I given, supposed to be experienced by and am I fulfilling it to the best every person individually, our of my ability? tradition seems to encourage Paraphrasing a famous line the collective event at Sinai also from another blockbuster film, be experienced by every person I pray that on this Shavuot, individually. each of us will understand that Indeed, not only are we our commitment is “not just taught that every Jewish soul business; it’s personal.” past present and future heard
We affirm that we were not just freed from slavery, but liberated to serve God.
Shabbat, June 3: 8:42 p.m. Erev Shavuot, June 4: 9:49 p.m. 2nd Eve Shavuot, June 5: 9:50 p.m. Shabbat, June 10: 8:46 p.m. Shabbat, June 17: 8:49 p.m. Shabbat, June 24: 8:51 p.m.
Torah Portions June 4: Bamidbar (Num. 1:1-4:20) June 11: Naso (Num. 4:21-7:89) June 18: Behalotecha (Num. 8:1-12:16) June 25: Shelach (Num. 13:1-15:41)
THE DAYTON JEWISH OBSERVER • JUNE 2022
Conservative Interim Rabbi Melissa Crespy Cantor/Dir. of Ed. & Programming Andrea Raizen Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 305 Sugar Camp Circle, Oakwood. 937-293-9520. BethAbrahamDayton.org
Beth Jacob Congregation
Traditional Rabbi Leibel Agar Sundays & Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m. Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 7020 N. Main St., Dayton. 937-274-2149. BethJacobCong.org
Temple Anshe Emeth
Reform 320 Caldwell St., Piqua. Fri., June 17, 7:30 p.m. lay-led service with Jese Shell Contact Steve Shuchat, 937-7262116, AnsheEmeth@gmail.com. ansheemeth.org
Temple Beth Or
Reform Rabbi Judy Chessin Asst. Rabbi/Educator Ben Azriel 5275 Marshall Rd., Wash. Twp. 937-435-3400. templebethor.com
Temple Beth Sholom
Reform Rabbi Haviva Horvitz 610 Gladys Dr., Middletown. 513-422-8313. templebethsholom.net
Temple Israel
Reform Senior Rabbi Karen BodneyHalasz. Rabbi/Educator Tina Sobo Fri., June 3, 6 p.m. Fridays, June 10, 17 & 24, 6:30 p.m. Sat., June 25, 10:30 a.m. 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. 937-496-0050. tidayton.org
Temple Sholom
Reform Rabbi Cary Kozberg 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield. 937-399-1231. templesholomoh.com
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
June • Sivan/Tammuz Candle Lightings
Beth Abraham Synagogue
Chabad of Greater Dayton
Shavuot
Festival of Weeks, Giving of the Torah June 5-6/6-7 Sivan Marks the end of the counting of the Omer, a 49-day period that begins on the second night of Passover, and recalls the giving of the Torah at Sinai. In Israel, it falls at the end of the spring harvest. An all-night study session called a tikun, originally a mystical practice, is held at some synagogues.
Rabbi Nochum Mangel Associate Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Youth & Prog. Dir. Rabbi Levi Simon. Beginner educational service Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. 2001 Far Hills Ave. 937-643-0770. chabaddayton.com
Yellow Springs Havurah
Independent Antioch College Rockford Chapel. Contact Len Kramer, 937-5724840 or len2654@gmail.com.
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